Smoking is gross, but smokers are smarter than everyone else. Yes, I meant to write that. I have never had a cigarette or had smoke blow in my face and thought “Mmm, heavenly,” and yet I will be the first to say smokers are smarter than everyone else… in some ways anyway… in other ways they’re crazy: (smoker) “I can only imagine the joys of premature aging, emphysema, and all the wonderful things displayed on the cigarette box like that oozing, puss-y thing. It’s like playing Bingo; the more ailments you get, the happier you are.” Despite all the dangers of smoking, we non smokers can learn a few important lessons from smokers like the following:
- The Best Smelling Breath: Okay, this one is a joke, but I wanted a top 10 list, and couldn’t think of a tenth.
- Devoted: No matter what rules are made, true smokers will not be deterred. It doesn’t matter how far they have to walk or where they have to go, they will find a spot to smoke. Their level of devotion is amazing. Only one thing made my grandma quit. Was it her adorable grandchild with big blue eyes begging her to stop? Nope, it was the doctor asking her after a heart attack, “Do you smoke?” and she replied “No,” and she never had another cigarette again. Fortunately, her devotion to living was stronger than smoking, but she was devoted for 65 years.
- Wild Side: Smokers are really good at ignoring the health rules. Many of us non smokers could benefit from taking the pickles we have lodged out and live a little more carefree from time to time. I’m not saying we should smoke, but it’s good to break health rules every once in awhile. My brother hasn’t had pizza, French fries, or pop in over 12 years… he’s also an accountant. Cool is not a word commonly associated with him. I much prefer my “wild side” of having a few French fries 3-5 times a year; yeah, I live dangerously… cool also isn’t a word associated with me. Having fries a few times a year are a treat that make life a little more interesting, but not frequent enough to kill me… I hope. That would suck if on my deathbed the doctor tells me if I just didn’t have those 3 helpings of fries a year I could’ve lived another 5 years. In reality, I’m sure the smog in the air is killing me more, so I should be safe… from the death by fries at least.
- Tough: Smokers are some of the toughest people I know. I don’t know how many times I’ve been bundled up with a thick winter coat, scarf and Kermit the Frog tuque (I said I wasn’t cool) and still freezing because of the cold and then I’ll pass a smoker in just a shirt outside smoking. It’s like the smoldering flame at the end of the cigarette keeps them warm.
- Willing to Ask for Help: Like many givers, I thoroughly hate asking for help, but smokers know the importance of it. I’m yet to meet a smoker afraid to ask, “Got a light?” I know I need to be a little more like smokers and not be afraid to ask for help. What about you?
- Budgeting: Smokers always seem to have money for cigarettes no matter how financially strapped they are. I can only assume that they’re magicians who make money just appear with a flick of a wand or they budget their finances at least to the degree they can pay for their habit.
- Sacrificing: Connected to budgeting, smokers know how to sacrifice for what they want. I knew a guy who would give up eating in order to afford cigarettes. I have no idea how he could do that. Eating tastes way better than smoke, at least it’s better than second hand smoke, which is the only kind I’ve tasted.
- Sharing: Smokers amaze me with their generosity. They are a community who watch out for each other whether it’s sharing a light or a cigarette. They make sure each member has the ability to slowly kill themselves… I mean satisfy their craving.
- Social: Smokers tend to be very good at being social and connecting to new people. It’s as if smoking is a conversation starter. Certainly makes initiating a conversation with girls easier: (guy) “Got a light?” (girl) “You have a lighter in your hand.” (guy) “Uh… yeah, I know; I was stating a fact: Got a light.”
- Breaks: Smokers are smart because they know they need to take breaks. Non smokers would benefit from getting up from their desks every hour and going for a 5 minute walk to get the blood flowing and to clear their mind a little.
This week try to be little bit more like a smoker… without the nasty breath.
Rev Chad David, www.ChadDavid.ca, learning to love dumb people