EDITOR:

Years ago, when I was 16 or 17 at the time, it was on a Saturday night that I decided I was going to go down to the Teen Center, the current YMCA, and play basketball, instead of going to the usual weekend party. I had more fun that night than any party I have ever been to and believe me I have been to a few. The reason is very simple. I was being myself. When a child is 7, 8 years old that child begins to show a natural inclination towards interests. Myself, it was sports, especially basketball. For some, it will be music, the arts, books, etc. No child says, “I want to be a partier when I get older.” That is all learned behavior from society. I quit drinking 26 years ago in October. No, there was not any problem when I quit. However, so there is no pretentiousness on my part, there was a huge problem when I was 19.

It took me years to figure it out, but a valuable lesson I have learned and wish I would have learned much earlier in life is this: As long as what you are doing is not illegal, immoral and is productive, just be yourself. The road will sometimes be lonely, but it is your road, not someone else’s.

Jerry Rahoi

Iron Mountain