In Reply

I recall some of my friends that didn't go along with the "Utah norm". We would have good times together and spent hours doing it. As I looked back at some of the things that I had been doing I began to feel a little guilty about it. I knew that it was wrong and I knew that it wasn't helping me to truly be happy. A decision was made that I was going to work more at doing what I should do which, unfortunately meant I had to either ask my friends to do something else or I just had to spend less time with them. Quickly the latter came into effect and we've since drifted apart.

Years have now passed since I've heard about anything from that group of friends and as I think back about them I worry that some may have continued in their actions and ended up making choices that may have taken their lives, but I also hope that some have been able to make changes in their lives and are even now doing something great like raising a family or something else of great influence.

Remembering those times, I recall that one of the activities they enjoyed doing most was complaining about the Utah culture and how much they disliked it. When I started to make the changes in my life the scowl that was placed upon the general people slowly turned directly upon me. I learned that to love the sinner, not the sin, is a difficult thing to do. Even more difficult is to make the sinner realize that you love them even if what they are doing is wrong. Dancing Monkee, I hope that you are able to figure out how to help your friend realize how much you only want the best for them.