There are times in everyone's life when you just have to throw yourself into the unknown. I'm not talking about taking a yoga class or learning about dolphins, I'm talking about getting all loaded up, be it on pure adrenaline or something else entirely, and putting yourself in mortal danger.
Now I'm not claiming to be Evel Knievel by any means, but I can assure that I've put myself in many situations that I didn't always expect to make it out of. I consider myself one of many people who can honestly say that risking it all every now and then isn't just healthy, but exhilarating as well. And I also consider myself someone who has earned the right to talk about how peering over the edge irrevocably changes a person because I myself have almost fallen over this same edge.
Let me give you an example of what putting it all on the line can do to you. For one, trivial things that used to piss you off lose their importance. Once you've woken up and been amazed that you're still alive, you no longer worry about people smoking cigarettes in your house. It really just isn't that crucial anymore, especially when you realize that it's more important to have fun than to be a cigarette Nazi. Another perk is that you won't feel the need to be nice to people you hate anymore, because well, it's simply a waste of time that you're lucky to have. And perhaps best of all, you become a better lover. Trust me.
The reason for all these changes is that you no longer feel the need for complete and utter safety. I'm not saying that you become reckless by any means, but rather, I'm saying that you know that you can take a punch and keep going.
So when I hear someone talking about things like why smoking should be illegal and how evil tobacco companies are, I usually think to myself: If any of these activists had actually lived their lives courageously, they wouldn't really care if someone around them wanted a cigarette. When was the last time you heard a veteran of World War II talking about how much smoking offends them? The fact is that once you've had a gun put to your head, you understand the danger posed by a cigarette being put to your mouth is really pretty minor.
Many people will read this article and disagree, saying that a lifetime of smoking will drastically shorten your life expectancy. That's true, but what you people never seem to realize is that it's your choice to smoke. If you don't like smoking, then don't smoke. It's really pretty easy. You might also tell me that smoking is addictive, and that's why it's so bad. But you know what? Anyone with the will to quit can. And if a stranger around you is offending you with their smoke, then deal with it. They'll be gone in a little while and I sincerely doubt that a few minutes of second hand smoke here and there is really going to kill you.
Obviously, it's different if your family members or friends smoke and you want them to stop. I would recommend just talking to them and telling them to stop instead of going on a political rampage trying to rob a group of people, smokers, of something they like. How would you feel is someone outlawed your "Home and Gardening" magazine or whatever other thing you people like just because it offended some group of people, somewhere?
I feel this way and I'm not even a smoker myself. I just know that whether or not people around me smoke isn't going to have a significant impact on my life, and therefore I have no problem with it. What I do have a problem with, however, are people who live their lives never taking any risks at all in the hope of making their lives as squeaky clean and safe as possible trying to tell other people what they can and cannot do. That's not fair, especially when you realize that these are the same people who are so anal and afraid that they can't even take the smallest risks in their own lives.
I guess what I'm trying to say is live a little, be daring and don't be such a prick. You'd be how surprised how fun life can be when you're willing to take some chances and how hollow your life would seem without them.
And on a completely different note, I need a job. The Daily doesn't pay too well and therefore if anyone knows of any job openings please email me the details. Thanks.
