Why I gave up drinking...

At my desk, 6:41 am

I was waiting for my friend Michael to get ready for our bi-weekly lunch when one of his folks said, "I've been meaning to ask you, why did you give up drinking?"

"Because it didn't bring anything to my life," I replied.

To me, it was such a simple answer. But she looked as if I was speaking a foreign language.

"I'm not sure what you mean," she said.

Just then, Michael came out and we left for lunch. I smiled and nodded to her and we left for lunch.

But her question lingers for me, what did I mean?

Truth be told, I never drank very much. I've stopped drinking alcohol for various exercise programs or finals or simple finances. And more than anything, I've always resented losing a day or a morning or even a few hours to the cloudy feeling of having had too much the night before. Time is the only resource I have - why would I want to give it up to something I did yesterday?

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