How much will a good life cost?

Thats what I heard some young girls asking yesterday. Young innocent girls who have lived a pretty sheltered life? They were referring to the "sacrifice" of saying no to the "worldly pleasures" about them. Today girls give themselves to whatever feels good. Usually theres no holding back. I guess its not much different than my generation. Really, thru out the ages the "worldly pleasures" the things this world offers is pretty much the same. Feel good stuff, get rich gimmicks, beauty in a bottle. Even the packaging isn't too different.

As I look back and another year has passed I can't help but remember the terrible pull of my peers, the intense desire to fit in the world and the fierce battle to say no. It was worth it for my life. I said no to the "heavy party scene" with the drugs and the achohol, I said no to the "boyfriends" of the world. I ran away from premarital sex, literally leaving my cloak at the door trying to be free from this tempation and I even said no to the "equal rights" path. That career that was gonna get me status, and money and equality in the world. ....What in the world did I end up with?...An "old fashion" life: A wife to one man for over 2 decades, 4 legitimate kids with the same last name, that I stayed home to raise! Sacrifice after sacrafice depending on my husband to meet my needs and our kids needs....As I weigh the cost of my decisions, it might be safe to say that perhaps I avoided single parenting?, stds? lonliness continually? abortions? divorce? and just plain chaos.

Please don't misunderstand me "old fashion" principles and "old fashion" decision making isn't always easy. I paid a high price. I had to cut loose friends that I dearly loved. My family rejected my decisions and I've endured years of separation or labeling. I put up with mocking for my "foolish" depravation and materialistically, I haven't ever been able to keep up with the "Jones" I've missed out on the newest, latest most beautiful of clothing and cars and pleasures. I can Only tell you young lady that when you are choosing make sure to "know all the costs"....to "weigh it all out" and carefully count it all out before deciding.