Taking a Stand

I recently had a long discussion with a friend of mine about my upcoming 21st birthday. He’s all about throwing me a huge birthday bash, claiming that he’s “going to do it right.” As I questioned him about what exactly he meant by that, it became evident that for some reason, he was intent on getting me to drink once I turned over to being of legal age.

For all my life, and especially since I had one experience with alcohol, I’ve decided that drinking isn’t a good idea. After all, I use the stuff to kill bacteria cells in my mouth and on wounds; why on earth would I willingly ingest something I know is practically poison just because I suddenly can?

This sparked a lively debate about sticking to your guns and not compromising your beliefs. For my entire life I’ve been taught to not compromise, to never cave. The older I get, the more I hold to that doctrine.

After all, this world can take just about anything from you. There are very few things you can actually call your own. Your core beliefs, however, are yours to keep. If you give those up, who would you be?

I’m not talking here specifically about drinking. I’m talking about anything you truly believe and hold to. It might be not drinking; maybe it’s not going to certain parties; perhaps it’s not having sex until you’re married. Whatever your beliefs, I’d be willing to bet you know someone who takes the opposite view and would love to talk you out of what you believe. Even if they just want you to bend your own rules a little bit, you’re still being put in the position of giving up what you believe.

If you feel strongly about something, then it must be a part of some belief you hold dear, be it religion, what you’ve been taught for years, or the advice of a respected elder. Before you toss that aside, you have to think about your beliefs. Consider who you’ll be if you agree to give in on this one issue. Will this open the door to more concessions, more caving? Will it cause your belief system to collapse entirely? Will you lose the regard of someone who means a lot to you?

Your beliefs, no matter what they may be, are practically all you can call your own in this world. And no one can take them from you unless you choose to give them away. I, for one, believe that sticking to your guns is more important than anything else in the world. After all, that’s what makes you who you are.