The most beautiful thing about life is the choices we have. We choose absolutely everything we do. We choose the way we act and the way we react. We have the option to do things or not to do things.
So why are people opting in to this reckless drinking activity?
Neknomination has recently shown up in Regina.
For those who are unaware of what neknomination is, it's a social media craze that originated in Australia where participants film themselves chugging alcohol - sometimes in potentially lethal amounts - and then carrying out a stunt. Some of these stunts are done in an effort to out-do other nominated peers.
These videos have been circulating social media.
Neknomination has been linked to four deaths worldwide. And now, it has hit Saskatchewan.
We all have the ability to understand something immediately, without the need for conscious reasoning. This is intuition. Unfortunately, those participating in this craze, their intuition has been kicked around and beaten to death by their ego.
Instead of listening to their inner voice, the one that screams "Don't do this. It sounds stupid." They listen to the "No one can out do me, let's do this."
In a February 13 article in the Leader Post entitled, "Neknomination: Dangerous social media game comes to Regina", a University of Regina student who took part in neknomination drank a mix of gin,rum, whiskey, coffee liquer, hot sauce and one raw egg. He stated he thought it was stupid, but figured he'd give it a shot.
Why?
Sure, in life we are all able to take risks and to push limits, but is this a limit that really needs to be pushed? Is it a risk you are willing to take?
When neknomination is pushed to near fatal limits of consumption, and what social media fails to relay is the aftermath of this reckless behaviour. I'm not saying in every instance, but in the select few that take this game too far.
Taking this game to a potentially lethal level could result in a visit to the hospital for stomach decompression, perhaps waking up in a pool of your own vomit or there is also the risk of not waking up at all.
At what point do we outgrow the need to one-up everyone else? Why do many people choose to take risks with their lives on such a trivial dare? This, it seems to me, is a desperate need for acceptance and praise.
As a teen, my group of friends always said, "Don't do it. Don't fall for peer pressure." Although, it was usually in jest, it is something I've carried with me into adulthood.
The choice is yours. You don't HAVE to do anything.
"In the long run, we shape our lives, and we shape ourselves. The process never ends until we die. And the choices we make are ultimately our own responsibility."
- Eleanor Roosevelt
