I wish to report here that I have the following tobacco smoking history:
1. in college I smoked cigarettes (please dont shoot me) I did so for about 2 years or so and became a smoker of maybe 1 pack a week or so. Not a heavy smoker and It was exciting when consuming drinks. I quit when I reached medical school although for a few years I might still 'steal' a cigarette once in a while if I went out for drinks. That was it for a while.
I later had a very rare cigar. Enjoying it a little bit, but never pursuing the experience. One year when I was maybe 33 I bought a cheap drugstore pipe that I smoked a little bit. It never stuck and one day in a antitobacco smoking mood I just threw it out. That was it for a while.
As of this current year, I began smoking an occasional cigar beginning in March. In October of this year I began smoking almost 1 a day and by November/December I have been smoking one cigar or maybe 2 a day (except during Shabbas hours of course! It is unlawful to light a fire during Shabbas).
I wish to report that my mood is improved and that I find the smoking experience a moment of joy and solace whereby I feel connected to my inner self and away from the agitations of ruminant topics of discord that may have plagued me at some depth from years gone by. I have also made the following observation. Since November or so, I do not recall that I have been occasionally pulling out my beard hairs. (I have a full unshaven beard). This is actually imporant. Jewish law actually looks poorly on one who pulls out ones beard hairs. A Jewish mans beard who keeps kosher is considered to have special mystical and spiritual value. Pulling one's beard hairs is considered a sign of slight mental instability. It did not bother me when I did that, but it was not a very happy moment. You know, you are sitting in your computer room or in the bed room and you might tug on a few hairs or try to pull out ones that you think might be loose. I suppose that in this regard, smoking has afforded me a higher degree of mental stability that can be scientifically measured by this measure. Just a thought. I realize that smoking tobacco products of all kinds is clearly associated with negative health risks and most physicians will clearly condemn it. I no longer do. I condemn cigarette smoking.
I bought myself a new pipe today. A nice experiences. I am smoking the Fireside tobacco tonight and its a most pleasant smell and comfortable situation to experience. I can alternate now and its a nice change.
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