Have you ever seen things on Facebook or Instagram that you really don’t agree with, but you don’t want to offend the person who posted it by giving it a thumbs down?
I have, and usually just move on. If I truly don’t like what someone has to say, it's between me and them - not everyone they are friends with. If it really bothers me, I will unfollow their posts.
I stumbled across an Instagram post from @tellbetterstories2018 and she is handling a topic that bothers me deeply in a very classy way.
Those stupid posts glorifying alcohol... you know which ones I mean. Like this one Weight Watchers posted.
I did Weight Watchers years ago and remember calculating how much Captain Morgan I could have with my Diet Dr. Pepper. I get it - it’s a reality but here’s the truth: this stuff gets inside our heads.
Or how about the attack on young moms. That it’s ok to drink to get through mommy hood. Mom life should not be something to “get through.” I hate that expression. If you want to help out a young mom, don’t joke about this stuff. Encourage her to find an outlet for her stress and anxiety. Not put wine in her coffee cup.
Sure I was more fun when I drank, until I wasn’t… Until I embarrassed my kids in front of their friends. This mom is way better off not drinking and I think my kids would agree.
What @tellbetterstories2018 is doing is creating awareness that these things are not okay. I belong to a group of individuals in this world that cannot drink and I am tired of seeing these things that tell you it’s okay. I don’t think they are funny at all.
When you wear that shirt or share that post - you are sending a message. You have no idea what the message is beyond that. Yes, it could get a laugh or it could tell the wrong person that’s a great way to cope with life.
“Now it’s up to you. Be on your toes—both for yourselves and your congregation of sheep. The Holy Spirit has put you in charge of these people—God’s people they are—to guard and protect them. God himself thought they were worth dying for." - Acts 20:28 MSG
I have a hard time seeing why I thought alcohol was a good way to lose yourself in any situation. That to escape would ever be deemed positive. Sorry, I’m on the other side of the fence now. I never planned to be an alcoholic, but I am. I can’t change it.
If you want to drink. Go for it. But if you have to rationalize it in any way. Don’t do it. When you see these ads, if you think they are funny, they are not. The true definition of false advertising.
I drank to cope with stress, unhappiness, anxiety, you name it. I didn’t realize what I was doing until I was already there.
And it was too late.
Peace on your weekend,
Sherry