Drinking coffee is not a crime, but smoking IS a disgusting habit…
Last night, as I was falling asleep, I got to thinking about rituals.
I never thought that I had that many tasks that occupied my daily routine. However, upon further reflection, I’ve come to realize that this simply isn’t true. There are multiple actions that I make everyday and if I didn’t do them — well, I don’t know what I would do!
I’m a coffee drinker. I know lots of people drink coffee from time to time, but I re-commit myself to this hot bitter beverage every morning. I can drink black coffee; but, given the option, I definitely stir-in a bit of creamer (preferably the flavored kind). I used to make coffee at home a lot: in the morning before work, the afternoon during lunch, after work, on the weekends, anytime! Within the last 6 months or so, however, I don’t really do that anymore. I’ve found that I make coffee primarily at work (while my Mr. Coffee at home grows moldy from misuse) and any other drops I consume throughout the day are usually purchased at an espresso bar.
Christ! - I’ve become one of “those” people.
In terms of savings, I could do a lot better if it weren’t for these needless pit-stops at Starbucks. Who really needs that much coffee, much less buy that much coffee, everday??? Apparently me. I’m that kid wasting one paper cup everyday when I could bring in my own re-useable mug to, well, re-use. That’s really the least I could do.
But I don’t. [Note to self: Do better!]
Now that we’ve covered coffee… I’ve noticed that certain rituals go hand in hand. As soon as that delicious first sip of coffee meets my lips each morning, it hits me: I immediately want a cigarette. I know it’s gross and I know that I shouldn’t want to want it but I do; damn it.
In a lot of ways I wish that I had never started smoking. I know it’s disgusting: it smells bad, gives you wrinkles and makes your teeth nasty. Yeah yeah, heard it. But there’s something about smoking that really comforts me. Yes, I said “comfort.” Awkward maybe, but true nonetheless.
I have attempted to quit smoking on several occasions - Some of these more successful than others. This is a ritual that I keep meaning to give up, but for one reason or another hang onto for fear of losing that comfort it provides me. Is it killing me? Slowly, yes; but I still crave it.
Kristin Allen-Zito says, “Addiction is better than a life without affliction.” Hmm. Well, even she quit smoking a few years ago. Makes me think: maybe a need to begin practicing some new rituals.
Gum, the gym, eating healthy, “valuing myself”… All good things. Not a bad idea to begin taking on at least ONE of these activities. It will be hard and I will be cranky. Grrrr. I’ll tide myself over with the idea that I can always have a “treat” smoke, now and then if I need one, just mix up the routine.
But that’s not real yet. So for now, I’m just going to focus on eliminating the toxic from the routine. I know people have also claimed that drinking coffee is “bad for you,” but I’ve got news for those folks: EVERYTHING IS BAD FOR YOU these days. You, none of you; will ever convince me to stop drinking it. Ever. That’s not only a promise but a guarantee. In the words of a great man named Charlton Heston, “From my cold dead hands.” Word brother.