Who Knew So Many Were Concerned?
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"Suddenly, now that I've taken up pipe smoking, friends and some family are coming out of the woodwork to express their deepest concerns that I am endangering my health; even my very life. Who knew so many were so concerned?"
Keep in mind I live in Mexico City, surely one of the most polluted places on earth.
When I turned 55 I decided that I was now old enough to take up the pipe. I researched the dangers long before striking my first match, so it's not as if I'm an uninformed fool. I wanted to smoke a pipe for me, my life, my choice. At the time I had no idea of how much I would enjoy tobacco and I'm very pleased I decided to smoke.
In retrospect, it seems a little wierd even to me that after living over half a century as a non smoker, anti-smoker to be more precise, I find myself reeking of tobacco and anticipating my next opportunity for a rich pipeful.
But to me this is not about health as many suggest, it's about living life as each one of us sees fit. If you don't want to smoke don't do it, but don't expect me to take people's whining about health issues seriously while we live in such toxic environments, both rural and urban.
Like you apatim, I'm constantly bombarded with other's concern for my health. The speak of how neglectful I'm being by jeopardizing my health at such a vulnerable age, or the complete disregard I have for my family or I'm asked, "Aren't you aware of how addictive smoking is?"
I find it all rather amusing. Can't people simply choose how to live their lives anymore? Is it such a sin and a crime to savour some of life's little pleasures?
Keep in mind I live in Mexico City, surely one of the most polluted places on earth.
When I turned 55 I decided that I was now old enough to take up the pipe. I researched the dangers long before striking my first match, so it's not as if I'm an uninformed fool. I wanted to smoke a pipe for me, my life, my choice. At the time I had no idea of how much I would enjoy tobacco and I'm very pleased I decided to smoke.
In retrospect, it seems a little wierd even to me that after living over half a century as a non smoker, anti-smoker to be more precise, I find myself reeking of tobacco and anticipating my next opportunity for a rich pipeful.
But to me this is not about health as many suggest, it's about living life as each one of us sees fit. If you don't want to smoke don't do it, but don't expect me to take people's whining about health issues seriously while we live in such toxic environments, both rural and urban.
Like you apatim, I'm constantly bombarded with other's concern for my health. The speak of how neglectful I'm being by jeopardizing my health at such a vulnerable age, or the complete disregard I have for my family or I'm asked, "Aren't you aware of how addictive smoking is?"
I find it all rather amusing. Can't people simply choose how to live their lives anymore? Is it such a sin and a crime to savour some of life's little pleasures?
I use to think like that with being careful because of health reasons. I believe my military deployments fix all of that. You truly don't know when the end is coming. And you can't take it with, you. I think you should enjoy it why you can. Lead a relaxing and less stressfull life. Maybe pass on something to someone and have fun along the journey.
Hope you feel better, LOL
Bryan
Hope you feel better, LOL
Bryan
Exactly, Bryan... We will all die at some time. I would hate to come to that moment with regrets for having not enjoyed my time to its fullest!
"Listen, jerk! I know how you should live your life. I'm convinced that I'm right, so do it MY way!"
Some people just don't have enough to do, except micro-manage others. Ignore them and live your life the way you see fit (within the legal limits).
After a few years now all my friends and family know I smoke a pipe. No one has expressed any concern so far. Most have actually said they thought it was interesting, cool, kinda neat,etc. I let it out of the closet slowly though, because of what everyone here has said. I didn't feel like dealing with it. I've always enjoyed staying fit, so knowledge of the fact that I, until a very recent injury, ran 15-20 miles per week helps show it is nowhere near the realm of cigarette smoking. I would deny no man the liberty of doing as he chooses, so long as it doesn't harm others, but after watching my cig chain-smoking Pops suffer through several heart attacks, lung and liver cancer, I can't help but be concerned about folks smoking cigarettes. I pretty well keep quiet though. Their choices are their own.
The way I see it is we can "attempt" to live longer/healthier but the bottom line is that we will all die so "longer/healthier" is merely a goal over which we may have little control. However, we CAN take whatever time we do have a live it the way we see fit in order to bring us the most joy/happiness/contentment - how we choose to live IS SOMETHING WE CAN CONTROL.
I think it's just that most people lump pipe smoking with cigarette smoking and the end all be all of it is that smoking is completely bad. And now that the arthritis thing has come up, they're all up in arms about you and your "smoking."
At my tender age of 27, I've gotten a lot of "tsk,tsk,tsk" looks from family and friends who are completely opposed to smoking.
Best of health to you, apatim, and may you have many bowls in honor of all those who care!
At my tender age of 27, I've gotten a lot of "tsk,tsk,tsk" looks from family and friends who are completely opposed to smoking.
Best of health to you, apatim, and may you have many bowls in honor of all those who care!
My philosophy: EVERYTHING IN LIFE IN MODERATION...PERIOD.
If you want to attack an industry, attack the large food monopolies, i mean corporations. MSG, GMO's etc. and no, i am not some hippy vegan or health freak (obviously). Even when i was a personal trainer and worked at a gym a few years back, i still smoked cigars, drank on the weekends and ocassionally on the weekdays while remaining active and eating fairly healthy. All of this was done in moderation though. Fast food and big food corporations are what is really killing people and (partly)making a large percentage of Americans develop and/or face higher risks of diseases such as cancer, diabetes and heart disease... and many are deceitful to their customers with the information they provide.
You have to eat to stay alive. You do not HAVE to smoke tobacco to stay alive. At least we all are well aware of the risks with our chosen hobby. Even with all the bullshit skewed and biased statistics in addition to the propoganda they are releasing via television commercials, such as the ridiculous "truth" campaign and the newest, "don't let tobacco bully you around" commercials does not stop people with the ability to reason and think for themselves (AHEM, US PIPE SMOKERS) to wade throught the crap and see the real facts.
My basic point is that if i am only here once for a relatively short amount of time, i am damn well going to enjoy it as i see fit, in moderation of course, and without encroaching upon other individuals who have the right to do the same thing.
If you want to attack an industry, attack the large food monopolies, i mean corporations. MSG, GMO's etc. and no, i am not some hippy vegan or health freak (obviously). Even when i was a personal trainer and worked at a gym a few years back, i still smoked cigars, drank on the weekends and ocassionally on the weekdays while remaining active and eating fairly healthy. All of this was done in moderation though. Fast food and big food corporations are what is really killing people and (partly)making a large percentage of Americans develop and/or face higher risks of diseases such as cancer, diabetes and heart disease... and many are deceitful to their customers with the information they provide.
You have to eat to stay alive. You do not HAVE to smoke tobacco to stay alive. At least we all are well aware of the risks with our chosen hobby. Even with all the bullshit skewed and biased statistics in addition to the propoganda they are releasing via television commercials, such as the ridiculous "truth" campaign and the newest, "don't let tobacco bully you around" commercials does not stop people with the ability to reason and think for themselves (AHEM, US PIPE SMOKERS) to wade throught the crap and see the real facts.
My basic point is that if i am only here once for a relatively short amount of time, i am damn well going to enjoy it as i see fit, in moderation of course, and without encroaching upon other individuals who have the right to do the same thing.
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