I'm Only Gonna Say This Once

I do not think that if you drink you are a horrible person. I think that it is each person's individual decision as to the things that they wish to do, and whatever you do choose does not make you a good person or a bad person. I do however take offense to people thinking that I would pass that kind of judgment on someone else, even my best friend. I'm sorry if I have made anyone feel bad about the things that they do or whatever. However, the comments like "dude just come to the party, you don't have to drink" or "dude you can just have one drink right, that's not a big deal" have the same affect on me. Those comments make me feel like I am STUPID for choosing to give up that lifestyle and that the standards and rules that I now choose to obey are ridiculous. And believe it or not, it even sometimes makes me feel like I'm not cool anymore, or at least not as cool as I used to be. I have heard what some people have said about me at these parties. "The cool Dustin would be here partying with us right now". But that's ok, because I believe very strongly in what I am doing and I'm not concerned about what other people think. I am, however, concerned that this is coming between a group of really good friends. Now you guys know where I stand and I know where you stand, so let's just put that all aside and not let this petty disagreement come between us. I still care about each and every one of you, and I don't want to lose friends over something so stupid. That's all I'm going to say.