Beauty in the Ugly | Teen Ink

Beauty in the Ugly MAG

By Anonymous

      Last year I was assigned to a program for two weeks after drinking at a school event. It was a mistake I regret deeply and I can say that I learned a lot from my ensuing punishment. Although I wish it had never happened, I must admit that I’d much prefer to learn now that crime doesn’t pay than to wait until I’m not surrounded by family and a caring school staff.

It was my first time to wade into the depths of alcohol, and I’ve vowed to remain on the dry beach of life after I naively gulped that falsely enticing liquid. However, I’ve learned that mistakes can be positive if we learn from them. During my two weeks out of school, my mother made me read a book on the evidence of God’s existence. Even though I already believed in God, she wanted to make certain that I would never forget that there is a higher power than even school officials and family to whom I must answer.

If I had not been caught, I might have continued drinking and succumbing to peer pressure. To the contrary, my suspension from school and punishment by my family placed a barrier on that rocky road, and I did an immediate U-turn back to an alcohol-free life. I’m very grateful for that; I learned early that I have nothing to gain from drinking, but I have a lot to lose.

I have no doubt that my punishment stands as an example to many and I’m grateful for that. A misstep can be transformed into a beautiful dance if we glean the wisdom that will keep us from tripping again. I know from experience that it’s usually the feet of our peers that keep trying to trip us in our walk here on Earth.

I could try to explain away my actions last year but all I wish to express is that I was wrong to drink. I need to learn to take a firm stand. Furthermore, I cannot turn a blind eye to my friends who drink. I hope to draw upon my experience to help them see the folly of drinking. A genuine person will always stand out from the crowd, and that person should not stand out because she or he is intoxicated.

So, I am grateful for learning one of the principle laws of life early: alcohol and our bloodstream are an explosive combination! I was punished for my mistake, and now I am leaving that incident in the past. Still, I must always remember it, for “those who don’t remember the past are destined to repeat it.”



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This article has 13 comments.


on Jan. 13 2011 at 4:34 pm
EmilyMichelle PLATINUM, Manassas, Virginia
33 articles 4 photos 90 comments

Favorite Quote:
&quot;Our truest responsibility to the irrationality of the world is to paint or sing or write, for only in such response do we find the truth.&quot;<br /> - Madeleine L&#039;Engle

First off, I loved the figurative language in this piece. Also, after all of the negativity about underage drinking we hear on the news, it is good to hear about someone who has learned from their mistakes. This is great!

on Jan. 13 2011 at 10:41 am
HipsterUnicorn. BRONZE, Pendleton, Oregon
3 articles 0 photos 48 comments

Favorite Quote:
&quot;Love is the Movement.&quot;

Thanks for sharing that because it's nice to hear people 'fess up to their mistakes. Congrats:)

jennam8 GOLD said...
on Feb. 17 2010 at 3:16 pm
jennam8 GOLD, Quakertown, Pennsylvania
12 articles 27 photos 56 comments
This is a great accomplishment and life lessons are great pieces of writing for others. I'm sure this story has touched others, and has maybe changed them for the better :)

on Feb. 10 2010 at 7:58 pm
brysmarie12 PLATINUM, Neoga, Illinois
22 articles 1 photo 53 comments

Favorite Quote:
I am the author of my own life... unfortunately I&#039;m writing in pen and can&#039;t erase my mistakes.

Wow, this a really amazing piece, and I'm glad you made the right choice!

on Dec. 13 2009 at 2:05 pm
[S]ky[R]ifle BRONZE, Ballwin, Missouri
2 articles 0 photos 2 comments

Favorite Quote:
&quot;Two roads diverged in the woods, I took the one less traveled by, that made all the difference...&quot;<br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> --Robert Frost

But don't get me wrong, it was a great piece, and you made the right choice!

Congrats

on Dec. 13 2009 at 2:02 pm
[S]ky[R]ifle BRONZE, Ballwin, Missouri
2 articles 0 photos 2 comments

Favorite Quote:
&quot;Two roads diverged in the woods, I took the one less traveled by, that made all the difference...&quot;<br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> --Robert Frost

um, actually it was a pretty dry piece of work, no offense, it didn't catch my attention at all

on Aug. 26 2009 at 5:47 pm
HeavenCooley GOLD, Stillwater, Oklahoma
15 articles 0 photos 119 comments
i thought this peice is awesome.

it does take time to heal after you once did it but you will never forget it cause if you do you will end up doing it again.and its good that you learned from your mistake and you wont to it again.

on Apr. 13 2009 at 1:39 pm
horseluva BRONZE, Midlothian, Virginia
4 articles 0 photos 46 comments
i am glad that you made the right decision!!!!!=-)this was an awesome piece.keep on writing!!!!!=-)

on Apr. 6 2009 at 10:35 pm
I liked it. It was a serious piece of writng of course, but it teaches you that under-aged drinking id=s bad, and there is consequences

on Mar. 28 2009 at 10:59 pm
RayD_003 BRONZE, Knoxville, Maryland
4 articles 2 photos 3 comments

Favorite Quote:
The reputation of a thousand years may be determined by the conduct of a single hour.

Dude, that's pretty cool. Way to go lol. I loved the story, keep writing.

on Feb. 17 2009 at 11:03 pm
I liked this story a lot. It shows that things happen for a good reason.Its and amazing stofy , i truly think this is right .No one or nothing can top off god.

xoAubreyox said...
on Nov. 17 2008 at 1:41 pm
This is an amazing story. You are not the only person on Earth who has gone through these kinds of things. At least you made the right decision by not drinking anymore. Some make the wrong decisions and end up doing something harmful to themselves or others. AMAZING!

motownfan said...
on Aug. 12 2008 at 10:28 am
i am happy for you for being aware of such things in life and i wish you all the best for your future.mice essay ny the way