Yesterday was Day 17 of my Lenten journey without my pipes. As I have stated things have been reasonably successful. However, yesterday did test my mettle. When the situation arose, I knew that I would have risk, but I did succeed in maintaining my Lenten vow.
Yesterday, I went to my mother-in-laws home for the first time since the funeral. My MIL wanted my help in some tasks around the house (fixing a chair for example, and various other "handy-man" sorts of things). I was very happy to do this. And, with Friday being the most open day for me to go there, I did so.... in about the same time frame that I usually would go there to visit with my FIL.
So, I was talking with my MIL and beginning some of the various tasks, when she asked me if I would like a drink. I had not really thought of that option, as I have long associated this with visiting my FIL and my MIL does not really drink.
I however, did graciously accept and made myself a drink that I slowly worked through as I finished up a variety of the tasks. It was a very pleasant late afternoon. But what was interesting (and not wholly unexpected) was the very strong desire I had for a pipe (or truth be told, several) after the libation did enter my system. The desire was definitely very real.
I have to say that I am pleased with my resolve (although some of it was situational and not fully in my control). While I had a pipe with me (the one I cleaned throughly at the start of this vow, to use as a sort of pacifier), I had none of my pipe tobacco with me. I did, however, know very well where my FIL's various pipe tobaccos were, and if I had simply asked, I do know my MIL would have been more than willing to allow me to have some of his (we had always regularly shared pipe tobaccos with each other). But, I did not do this, because I would have then broken my Lenten vow. I *did* however, use a lozenge, and I also went into the garage and did utilize for a brief period the wretched e-device (I dislike the e device, and when I do so, I do so privately as it feels oddly enough, embarrassing.) The two items did help to reduce the intensity of wanting to smoke my pipe, but in no way eliminated the desire. But, I did keep up the resolve to refrain.
The desire remained (in its muted form) all evening even after returning home, but I was successful in keeping the vow. I am glad that I did. It was a bit tricky or dicey, but I have persevered.
PipeTobacco
............................................ ............................................ A blog devoted to the ramblings of a small town, middle aged college professor as he experiences life and all its strange variances.
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Saturday, March 03, 2018
3 comments:
I appreciate all forms of comments on my writings. I find that I miss the sponteneity of coming to read them here when they were unmoderated. I believe I wrote less due to the moderation. I have decided to adopt limited moderation. Hopefully the prior problems with unfettered comments will not arise again. Please feel free to comment as you wish about the essays I write. I will maintain those comments that offer kind-hearted and gentle opinion... be it positive or negative. The opinions of your comments will, of course, need to have relevance to the post as well.
That sounds like a cartload of battles! I'm glad to hear you were successful.
ReplyDeleteYou can do this thing!
I forgot it was lent
ReplyDeleteYour resolve is admirable. The longest I have gone without smoking in the past 50 years is one week. Cardiologist would not permit it while I recovered from open heart surgery --understandable rule, I guess. However, that was 12 years ago and I find myself reaching for my my pipe less and less, and of course never in this neo-puritanical public. I hope eventually to quit before the price of good tobacco rises much higher.
ReplyDelete