I was born and raised in a Christian family. I was taught Christian values and norms throughout my teenage life. I have learnt about honesty, forgiveness and respect as the guiding principles for a moral upright person. However, I began some odd behaviors during my early adolescent age. This is the time I gathered as many friends as possible. I had friends at school, at home and even other places where I used to visit on a frequent basis. I had my fist girl friend at the age of seventeen. That was the first time I had sex. Since I had many friends by then, sexuality was the talk every time we spent time together. I was driven by peer pressure. This is because two years later, the number of girls I had sex with was countless. I could spend time with one partner in the morning, and another during evening hours. At home, my mother noticed my bad behavior. She could spare time to counsel me whenever I was available. However, I was addicted to sexuality and I could not keep my ears to what my mother say to me. My aim was to enjoy life to the fullest, as far as I am alive. I ignored every piece of advice I receive from my family and relatives.
My life turned around the day I visited a strip club. I could take every opportunity to find happiness in new places. That day, I sneaked home without the consent of my parents as they could never allow me. My argument for visiting a strip club was that the place was the perfect environment for maximum happiness. My prediction was that my life was headed to the right direction- enjoying my youth. I danced to my level best with a stripper who was so friendly to me. At around midnight, I could not dance any more. I identified a seat at one corner of the club and opted to have a rest. My only company- the stripper joined me few moments later. This is when she began narrating her experiences. I asked her about how fun the place was and to my surprise, the story was different. She started by telling me that her life was not all about fun. Her dream was to be a professional doctor one day, serve the society with passion and all her energy. However, she did not get that opportunity to shape her life in that direction. This is because her parents abandoned her when she was still very young. She was left on the streets to find a living by herself.
I could see tears dropping down her cheeks as she went ahead narrating her sad story. I could not believe it. She said that after a long hard life in the streets, she got a chance to visit various strip clubs. That was the time she opted to enter prostitution to earn something better for living. She had no other option and that was the only opportunity available to her. She regrets living in such a way of life but according to her, that is where her destiny lies. She explained that her life as a stripper has been worse day by day and due to the addiction to sexuality, it is almost impossible to change her life. I felt very bad about the story of her life. I kept silence for about an hour, thinking about myself. This is because my initial thinking about life was very different from the reality. The story brought my conscience to the reality of life. I could see how fool I was, having the opportunity to shape my life in a better direction but choosing to waste that precious opportunity. If the stripper were at my position, for sure she could be somewhere else, but not in a strip club.
That day, I got a good lesson of my life I began having positive perception about life. Not to my life alone but even to that of other people. It is the time I realized how important is the advice from my mother. How it meant a good future for me if I begin to think about my life. Something that I can control at the moment, rather than getting what I call ‘fun’ now and suffer in my entire life. The Christian values began to make sense. The values of dignity, accountability, respect and faithful are essential to human life (Bhattacharyya, 2002). I could once again view people in a positive way. I understood what they stand for when they offer their advice to the young generation. Sexuality and bad behavior have no benefit to any person (Healey, 2005). People should be guided by the values of the society for them to be recognized as responsible and moral upright individuals. Although, I have taken my life into another direction, my mother has never believed in me. She still doubts my credibility of my take in life. This is because she saw my strip club entrance card which I failed to hide upon arriving home. She became very mad about me. From then to date she thinks that if I were to change, she could be the only source of that change.
I have taken much time explaining my transition but my effort seems to in vain. My mother’s attitude towards me is worse. She still treats me as if I am not a changed person. I think it is because my former friends still visit me up to date. They come frequently and I think it is inappropriate to chase them away because of my transition. I think people should still have friends even if they have big differences in their values, beliefs and understanding of life. I have now decided to write a letter to my mother to explain myself better. I hope she will understand and accept me back as her beloved son.
Dear mum,
I am taking this opportunity to thank you for the love you have given me. I am so grateful and I count myself very lucky human-being having a loving mother.
I know that I have disobeyed you. I have disrespected you in my entire teenage life. It is unfortunate that this has caused harm not only to my life but also to my family. You have strained your mind for long, thinking about me, my life and the future of our family. Thank you mum, you have given me everything. I have enjoyed every aspect of being a son. You have taught me to respect people, not to engage in bad behavior and most importantly to take care and accountability about my life. I have been listening every time you raised your voice. Unfortunately, I have taken very little of your advice since then.
Today, this is good news for you, I am a changed person. I have opted to put all of your advice into practice. This is because the day I went to a strip club, I learnt about how worth and precious your words are. I have realized that I was wrong. Now, I want to be a responsible man. I have realized that following your advice is the only way to achieve and have a good life. From today, I have said no to evil acts.
Forgive me mother for the hurt I have caused. I promise to make you proud.
Thank you!
References
Bhattacharyya, G. (2002). Sexuality and society: An introduction. New York: Routledge.
Healey, K. (2005). Sexuality. Balmain, N.S.W: Spinney Press.
Wogaman, J. P. (2009). Moral dilemmas: An introduction to Christian ethics. Louisville, Ky: Westminster John Knox Press.
