A fool will gape when he goes to a friend, and mumble only, or mope; but pass him the ale cup and all in a moment the mind of that man is shown.
Thursday's are Viking quote days although I'm doing every second Thursday now and interspersing my, think like a leader, series on the alternate day. Sometimes I choose a quote randomly and sometimes based upon relevance or meaning to my life, and share some thoughts on it. These thousand year old phrases still offer value in modern society. original im src
This week's Viking quote
A fool will gape when he goes to a friend, and mumble only, or mope; but pass him the ale cup and all in a moment the mind of that man is shown.
I've not been much of an alcohol drinker; there's no real reason and it's certainly not for lack of opportunity, I suppose I feel I just don't get much value from it. Having said that, I certainly have a drink now and then, in moderation, mostly when with friends or at an event. It's probably got a lot to do with my need to be in control of myself, to be able to react sensibly and with the appropriate action when required and generally be myself, rather than whatever it is excessive amounts of alcohol makes me.
I've only been drunk a few times in my life, the last when I was thirty, the day of my birthday which I share with my brother @tarazkp. For the record, I blame him for getting me drunk on Scotch whiskey and the resulting hijinks, but we were at a home-party for our joint-birthday celebration and no harm was done, except maybe to the ears of those who heard me sing...and my pride. It was a good night, although I felt like shit towards the end and the next day, but I would have had just as good a time without the alcohol.
This quote refers to alcohol and how it, in the right amounts, can remove inhibitions, filters and common sense.
Consumed in the right quantity it can cause a person to show, or say, their true feelings, character and thoughts and it's not always positive for others, or the individual themselves. I've been in situations in which this has happened and quite often it's spilled over into aggression and violence or depression and sorrow. That's not to say it always does, however they say alcohol augments one's true character, emotions and behaviour, positive or negative.
In my case, on those very few occasions I've had too much to drink I've been happy, very funny and, I've been told, entertaining. That's ok right? No harm there. But when a person becomes aggressive, verbally or physically, speaks their mind to the detriment of others or acts in a manner unbecoming...I don't know folks, I don't see a lot of positive there.
I've been to enough office Christmas parties to have seen this behaviour, brought out by alcohol, many times.
I could be wrong, but behaving inappropriately at the end of year office function might not be conducive to a whole lot of credibility come Monday. At one event, I saw the receptionists vagina as she rolled around on the floor like a dick head after a few too many wines...It was difficult to look at her the same way on Monday and try as she might she never regained the respect she previously had.
The same could be said for fellows who get drunk and feel it's an excuse to feel-up one of the ladies at same event, to speak improperly, become aggressive or simply act the fool. What's the gain? Not much, if anything.
And then there's the person who drives home whilst intoxicated putting innocent people in danger. They command a special place of hatred in my estimation. Ignorant, selfish fuckers.
Don't get me wrong, I'm not totally against alcohol or those who drink it; I am one of those after all. I guess though, I'm the man who applies moderation out of respect to myself and those around me and it's never caused me trouble to do so. There's a lot to be said for moderation in some things and I think with alcohol for sure.
There's a time and place for most things in life, alcohol included, however I'm not one to have much respect for those who don't have the will power or respect for themselves and others to know when and where to have one or two too many drinks.
That's it for this week, a thousand year-old Viking quote about the potential risks of the excessive drinking of alcohol. Please feel free to disagree with my interpretation or thoughts o alcohol, I know many will feel that way, and add your own in the comments below if you wish.
Skol (in moderation folks)
Design and create your ideal life, don't live it by default - Tomorrow isn't promised so be humble and kind