-Ran
Smash Master
For the first 22 years of my life, I avoided even sipping alcohol, much less smoking or doing drugs. I tried alcohol a few times, but never to the point of becoming drunk. As a person, I found that my ego demanded that I have full control/recollection of what I'm doing, or what I've done. I consider it my coping mechanism for reality. With that said, I lived the first twenty some odd years of my life actively avoiding anyone that involved themselves in either of those vices. Eventually, I realized that the list of potential good friends I had was drastically dwindling to nothing due to the harsh standards that I was imposing upon everyone else.
Drugs aren't bad, at least not in the capacity that we're speaking about. Pot is essentially the alcohol of this generation, and the only reason it isn't legalized is because most people are content to allow their second hand smoke be an issue. If everyone just used water bongs, etc this wouldn't be an issue. I personally, cannot stand the smell of pot to the point where it gives me a migraine. However, if I held myself to the standards of avoidance that I did in years prior, I'd have lost out on so many good friends. I wouldn't be able to even play Smash, ever.
Curlz, part of growing up is learning to temper your expectations, and coming to terms with what you're going to overlook when it comes to a person's flaws. The older people become, the more scars they have from their past, and the greater the hold of their vices. The worst thing you can be is a hypocrite.
