What's wrong with hedonism?

What's wrong with hedonism? Nothing in my book, mind you a lot of people do not feel as I do though. In spite of the sexual revolution of the 60's today's culture is still horribly repressed. Sex is seen as worse then violence. The public is offended by nudity to the point where the government covers up statues that show nude breasts. Which is worse? Taking someone's life or indulging in consensual pleasure with another human? Too many people are prudes and unfortunately some of those who run the government are prudes. A large part of this has to do with their religion. Mind, you not all Christians are prudes, but I have never ever seen a Fundamentalist Christian who wasn't prudish. Sex and pleasure of any kind is seen as a sin against god. This is why they want to ban and have in the past made laws against things that don't hurt anyone, just offends them.

I used to be a prude, back when I was still a Christian. I would have fit in well in the Puritan days with the mindset I once had. But over the years and the course of my life, I learned many things. I changed my mind, changed my religion, and changed my political views. I had to, I couldn’t go on pretending to be someone I wasn’t, it wouldn’t be right. Now, I suppose I’d fit in more with the Hippies in the 1960’s then the Puritans of the 1600’s. I’ve shocked people by telling them that I do not want to get married. It is assumed that all women want to get married. I’ve been told it’s the normal, natural thing to do. Well I guess I am not normal then. *smirks* I don’t feel like I could be happy being married. I’ve been there and done that, and while I have no regrets about having been married, I do not wish to do it again. What freaks people out more is when I tell them I like the idea of open relationships, free love, and of polyamory. (Yes, I know it’s not all the same thing.) It’s a shame that people will jump to the conclusion that I am promiscuous or untrustworthy because I have these ideas. It’s their loss not mine. People also incorrectly assume that because of my views and sexual orientation, that I would be incapable of being faithful. I consider faithfulness to be a virtue and have always been faithful when in a relationship. That being said, I have tried monogamy, tried heterosexual relationships, and have found them not to suit me. It is up to each person to find what makes them comfortable and happy, no one can or should dictate how you ought to life your life.

Life is too short to not have fun. As long as you don't harm anyone (this includes yourself), go out and go after the things in life you love. I may not be a Wiccan, but I do like their rede, “And it harm none, do what you will.” Some may say I hold an immature view, that life should be full of fun and pleasure. So? Is it then better and more mature to view life as having to be miserable and full of pain and suffering? I think not. Yes, there is misery, pain, and suffering in this life, but I say we should try to keep it to a minimal and seek out and enjoy pleasure.

Hedonism doesn't just apply to sex, although that's what first comes into mind. It can also apply to the food you eat, the clothes you wear, the car you drive, etc... Why not relish in eating the most decadent food you can afford? Why not treat yourself to nice things if you can? Why not buy your dream car? Don't let life pass you by. Take pleasure in everything you can and enjoy every moment. People in my life often criticize me for buying very expensive items. Hey, it’s my money; I earned it by working hard and I feel I should have the right to spend it as I see fit.

Too often people spend their lives waiting, thinking someday they will get to do the things they dream about. But the sad reality, they get too old or too sick to live out their dreams. Tim McGraw has a song called “Live like you are dying", in that song the guy who is told he doesn't have much time left goes out and does things like bungee jumping and riding a bull, etc... While the message is good, how many people do you know who have been diagnoses with a terminal illness that are well enough to go out and do stuff like that? By the time you get that death sentence you would be too weak and in too much pain to go out and do things like that.

I am a hedonist, and an unrepentant one at that. I refuse to go quietly into the dark night. I indeed to live my life to the fullest and if that offends people, that's they're problem. I have spent too much of my life already trying to fit into other people's boxes of what my life should be. When I die, I want to have no regrets. I want to know that I lived out all my fantasies and dreams.