You can't change the past, but you can control the future. We all have different reasons for having sex:

• It feels good.
  
• I think I have to to keep my boyfriend/girlfriend.
  
• He/she would get really mad if we didn't.
  
• It makes me feel attractive.
  
  

But once you had sex, did you notice a change in the way your partner treated you?

A lot of times having sex, while it is physically satisfying at the time, just wreaks havoc on your emotions. You wonder if you really mean anything to the other person or are you just recreation? You worry if you'll get pregnant. It doesn't matter if you are a male or female, it takes two to make a baby and you are both pregnant. Sexually transmitted diseases are always a threat, even though you are sure it'll never happen to you. You think "What if he/she dumps me? I'll be so humiliated!"

So now what do you do?
Today is a new day. Make a choice. Have the courage to walk a different path. You really can:

• Forgive yourself for things you've already done.
  
• Walk away from sexual relationships you're in right now.
  
• Surround yourself with people who have made the same choice as you--both friends and dates.
  
• Make goals for yourself--ones you know you can reach.
  
• Tell others about the commitment you've made.
  
• Stay out of situations that got you into sexual encounters in the first place.
  
• Realize you're protecting your health and your future with your new decision.
  

You are the only one who can control you. You make sure you stay in line.

There are good reasons to wait for sex because then you're free to:

• protect yourself from heartache
  
• put your energy into reaching your goals
  
• discover and develop friendships you never dreamed you could
  
• protect yourself from disease and pregnancy
  
• make good memories instead of bad
  
• stay away from guilt and disappointment
  
• respect yourself
  

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