Like with most things it's easy to slide down a slippery slope. One glass of wine turns into two and then you've polished off the rest of the bottle. A glass of wine is something I may add back in like 20-30 years, but honestly I don't miss it that much. You're either alone and should just find a way to be in that happy, light place without the wine... or it's a social thing and you can find another delicious drink to socialize with. (hot cocoa, coconut-lime soda, etc.)
And the buddhist in my fully appreciates a moderation / middle way approach... But what is that glass of wine getting you? Is it strictly a taste thing? Is it the antioxidants? My guess is there are comparable things that would be you those same positive results of a glass of wine.
My guess is there are comparable things that would be you those same positive results of a glass of wine.
That seems to be begging the question, if I'm using that term correctly. You're starting from the premise that the glass of wine has significant deleterious effects, and thus should readily be avoided if other goods can replace it. I'm not sure I personally agree with that premise.
Wow. Do you really feel like I'm forcing my choice on you? I wrote a blog post sharing my experience. 3 years I've enjoyed fully. Maybe you don't need to do it the way I've done it and can make every moment of your life a party with or without alcohol.
And I'm fully capable of regulating my drink. What I'm getting at is finding other ways to find the mental benefits drinking provides, ie, being able to have the confidence / happiness being buzzed/drunk provides... without needing the alcohol.
> Like with most things it's easy to slide down a slippery slope. One glass of wine turns into two and then you've polished off the rest of the bottle.
A date with one girl turns into two, and then you're hiring infected hookers.
A piece of cake turns into two, and then you've eaten the entire cake and then you get diabetes.
Five miles over the speed limit turns into ten, and then you're arrested for going 50 over the speed limit.
If you don't like alcohol, and find it hard to only have one drink, and decide to not drink at all, that's great! I'm glad you found something that works for you. But your comments strongly imply that your experience is everyone else's experience, and that we're just in denial about it.
Well, you did say, "Like with most things it's easy to slide down a slippery slope. One glass of wine turns into two and then you've polished off the rest of the bottle," as if you automatically assume others can't control their drinking.
As for the "confidence/happiness" that drinking brings, I wonder if you're not projecting again. Personally, drinking doesn't make me any more confident. It doesn't make me happy in and of itself, though it can help to reduce stress. And there you're talking about "needing the alcohol," as if appreciating the effects of something is "needing" it...
I wrote the post for people that use drinking as a way to enjoy an experience more. Those are the kind of people who often slide down that slope. I recognize that a lot of people don't have any issues with this slope. Sorry for sliding you down it.
I wrote the post for people that use drinking as a way to enjoy an experience more. Those are the kind of people who often slide down that slope.
And I think that's completely a false assumption to make about people. I myself might drink because I enjoy the element that the feeling of warmth and relaxation adds to a conversation with friends. So, I may be using it to enjoy an experience 'more' but that has nothing to do with sliding down a slope. Friends and I may sometimes enjoy drinking as the social setting, the activity for the night. The actual entertainment comes not from the drinking itself, but from the social interaction and camaraderie. It's a shared experience, and that's what human interaction is largely about.
It sounds like you're trying to address an audience of unaware alcoholics. Or extremely dull people who rely exclusively on drinking as sole entertainment.
For most people one glass of wine doesn't turn into a bottle. That's called a problem.
I enjoy having a glass of wine while I'm reading. It's relaxing and goes well with reading. Sometimes I have a glass of wine, take a bath and read. One day when you drink wine again you should try it.
Exactly. I guess some people just don't understand that there's a big difference between boasting about how many shots of vodka you had last night and chilling with a beer or two.
True. Everybody who drinks a glass of wine into doesn't have a drinking problem.
Really, what I was hoping to suggest and perhaps have done a poor job of, was encouraging people to try and find those things that they get from alcohol without it. ie, Could you find a way to relax for your reading without a glass of wine? If you could find that place without anything external, but thoughts are that would be a pretty great skill to have all the time.
I usually don't drink while I read, but I do enjoy drinking while I read. Usually one beer or one glass of wine. I usually drink tea while I read.
I do agree that if you can't enjoy something unless you're drinking, that's an issue. If I had to drink every time I read a book, I would have to do some soul searching. And you're right, if you can only party when you're drunk, are you really partying?
If I enjoy wine, why should I substitute it for something else? I don't get what is so inherently evil about alcohol that I need to find an alternative immediately or why it would be beneficial for me to find an alternative.
This was partially in response to this:
"And the buddhist in my fully appreciates a moderation / middle way approach...But what is that glass of wine getting you? Is it strictly a taste thing? Is it the antioxidants? My guess is there are comparable things that would be you those same positive results of a glass of wine."
Ok..from my anecdotal evidence as much i like red wine, i don't like what seems to do to my liver. (am not referring to study but the feeling of nausea/acidity it causes). I have found that grape juice is a good source of antioxidants..
"I meant the positive aspects of wine ... Not any of the buzz/drunk happiness benefits"
If I may be so blunt, you honestly are now sounding like some Mormon friends I know who have never drank, but for some reason feel particularly qualified to speak on the matter.
And the buddhist in my fully appreciates a moderation / middle way approach... But what is that glass of wine getting you? Is it strictly a taste thing? Is it the antioxidants? My guess is there are comparable things that would be you those same positive results of a glass of wine.