Now whomever you may be I am not here to condemn nor to chastise but to ask you a few questions and discuss a few thoughts....

The body was created over many a millenium or expanse of time...it was intended to function a certain way...if we were suppose to inhale carbon dioxide as is in any smoke based product we would be able to live without oxygen which we cannot. Carbon dioxide is a waste product like trash and is not good for you to keep in the house of your soul your body....

But there are things that can make smoking anything, taking anything, or using anything look attractive or desireable...

Often people have alot of problems or stress in their life...these things create many side affect chemicals which are hard on the body...being able to deal with these problems better and the stress better helps one live longer and be healthy longer. Well things like drinking, smoking, and doing any type of drug may help you cope temporarily until your body learns to metabolize, break down and clean out these things...then you are back at the beginning with possibly an additional problem..an addiction...

Your body has the ability to help you cope and deal with problems and stress better than any other thing like a drug you can take that exists in the world...

In fact your body when you know how to work with it and stimulate it, as in exercising correctly,to produce the most effective and most powerful drugs in the world to help you feel better...one such affect is felt during runners high...when the body releases very strong chemicals to deal with the demand of long range running...these body chemicals are called endorphins...they are very similar to the compounds derived from the opium plant but work better because your body creates them...but in order to produce such wonderful feelings you must be active and you must eat well...such that the body is capable of building such chemicals...

And Friends are great to help you resolve your problems and stress situations...I mean real friends who are good to themselves and other people...and will tell you the truth even when it is not always pleasant...personally if my house is burning down I would appreciate my friend telling me so at least I can send the fire department there to prevent it from spreading to my nieghbors houses...

As far as drugs go once I was out and I walked outside to a ring of people smoking marijuana and I was asked would I like some...I said no..and just watched...then I asked the entire group why they smoked pot..no one said a thing...so I assumed it was a social thing...I do not need a drug to socialize nor a drink...many people socialize who have things in common...I have talked about things as earthly as soap operas and as unearthly as the existance of heaven to people I meet.

So if you need a drug or something to help you cope I understand...but I like what I do better than anything that is made out there...I do art to relax, talk my good friends ears off,gardening, help people, all sorts of things...maybe once I was not so fortunate or so wise but it takes some of us longer to learn what is really good for us...I owe a great deal to my sister who taught me to run so I could quit smoking...and runners high is the greatest feeling on earth...I have only achieved it three times in my life..and I still remember it. Even without runners high running when one is fit, healthy, and eating properly one can feel very good, just like bicycle riding, walking, swimming, singing, lots of things......

When something happens if it is not good I do not want to be living in a false reality or euphoric state which is drug induced...even if the stress is a bit hard on me..if I am there all the way and aware I can realize what is going on such that I may be able to affect a change...and I learned in my life that no matter how much you avoid or try to cover up a problem it is impossible to do so and often by doing so the problem just gets worse....so I try to stop myself when I catch myself doing such...I am not perfect but I am still trying..gives me the ultimate goal to reach for always...improving myself as best I can by learning from everyone I am fortunate to have met here and now and in the past through books.

Just because someone else is doing something or even the majority of people are doing it does not mean it is right, healthy, smart or good...you have to learn to listen to yourself...and your heart and your body...but remember everybodies body and life is different so show them a little respect and give yourself a little less problem..do not attack them be a friend and if and when they learn to admire your way of coping maybe you can teach them that...

I just thought I would share...if someone can share why they like this stuff why can't I do the opposite?

(But watch out feeling good can be addictive too...but what better thing to get addicted to?)

I have had many friends and aquaintances in my life time. In my era people did not realize just how dangerous drugs can be. Now the drugs that are out there are even worse. I have had friends in college, highschool and at work who lost everything, sold everything, stole anything, even sold their souls for a little bit of something they thought they needed. I asked one group once why do you do this stuff when I told them when I was 19 I was not interested. No one said a word. So I assume it is a group peer pressure thing. Something to do when you get together to socialize. I would suggest playing basket ball, or football, cards, do a quilt together, anything that is a group activity that is much safer and healthier for your mind, your body, and the children you may have some day. Please do not throw yourself away like my friend Debbie who use to train horses and to stay thin she got on a horse that finally took her life on the streets.