It’s long
been known that smoking causes poorer mental and physical health, than their
non-smoking counterpart, for this has been well documented. One should also be
aware; it doesn’t stop at poorer mental and physical health. What’s less well
known is that a smoker is more likely to have poor planning overall in life
management than non-smokers; that smokers have an increased risk of
intergenerational poverty, with less long-term financial security. And the list
goes on…
Apart from
the financial drain associated with smoking, smoking also thins the cerebral
cortex, destroying the grey matter of the mind, which is the area where
thinking skills come from and includes memory and learning. The thicker the
cerebral cortex the better.
And apart
from the obvious; mouth, tongue, throat and lung cancers associated with
smoking, and the higher risk of stroke and heart disease, there’s also the
stunted growth of the mind, which is hugely impacted in a negative way, particularly
when the undeveloped mind starts down the smoking path.
You may or
may not believe in a devil who corrupts the minds of the young (oh how he loves
it, when a child begins his/her track down that smoking path), however devil
aside the mind is still corrupted.
The mind of
the youth, without being totally aware of it, is geared toward risky behaviour.
Smoking is so tantalising to the youth, that they start without giving much
thought to the long-term consequences. And this why I’ve used the label of ‘drifter.’ When the drifter takes up smoking, they start
down a slippery slope without thinking of, or fully understanding the
consequences.
What does
smoking do that’s so bad (as if the above paragraphs aren’t horrific enough)?
Cigarettes break down the power of resistance, the power of persistence and
endurance and the ability to concentrate. Smoking dims learning and memory, while
at the same time, increases the risk of dementia. Smoking is also the doorway
drug to other types of addiction.
Millions of
people around the world smoke the equivalent of two packets of cigarettes a day, gradually destroying their power of resistance. Over time, other habits of
a different form will be added; drinking/drugs/gambolling and more besides. And
while not every smoker will have every trait I’ve listed here, you’ll read
enough to know; there’s an element of truth in what I’ve written.
Once a
habit is formed, a habit generally doesn’t stop at one; they usually rise to
two, three, or even more. These habits invite looseness in other areas, such as
relationships, because a person with a thinning cerebral cortex has seldom told
themselves ‘no’ and therefor they’ve become weak in all areas related to good
decision making, having never exercised and strengthened their decision-making
process.
We’re
surrounded by people who are completely unconscious about life. Many parents
don’t teach a child how to win at the game of life (mostly because they don’t
know themselves), how to set and achieve goals or how to manage their money and
so that child learns to ‘drift’ though life, without any understanding of how
to overcome difficult situations.
Very young
people are taking up the smoking habit, before their minds have even fully
formed. And we’re all oblivious of just how detrimental smoking is, until
someone wakes us up and advises us. And that’s my aim today, to inform a person
to make a choice: Drifter or non-drifter. One who follows the crowd or one who
thinks for themselves.
One doesn’t
necessarily have to be a smoker to be a drifter either. One only needs never to
have been taught goal setting, however, smoking does seem to increase the
percentages of drifters, since most people start there as the gateway to the
downhill slide. Other types of addiction also cause a downward spiral, even
sugar.
Too much
sugar can cause spikes in energy, followed by a quick energy drop, which causes
depression. It can cause a person not to think clearly and they can have
problems with decision making. So, I’m not particularly persecuting the smoker.
All kinds of addictions can cause problems, as I’m sure you’re well aware.
Regardless
of the addiction, the drifter will not set many goals and will achieve even
less of them. They have poor focus and concentration skills. They aren’t used to pushing themselves beyond the easy and it’s
one of the reasons quitting is difficult for them. They get it into their mind
they can’t stop and so don’t even try.
A drifter lacks
purpose, lacks confidence, spends all they earn and more. They are often sick
or ailing, have little or no imagination, no enthusiasm, take the line of least
resistance and have little or no control over emotions. They state their own
opinion of everything but have little knowledge of anything. Drifters appear to
acquire little of value, as they've spent their disposable money on expensive cigarettes.
They never
accomplish anything that requires thought. They lack initiative. They are ill
tempered; their harsh personality doesn’t attract people and they neglect to
cooperate with those around them, even those on whom they depend. Often, they
make the same mistakes over and over and never learn from those mistakes. Some
people’s personality lacks magnetism; people don’t like to be around them.
They are
narrow minded and intolerant to all, crucifying those who disagree with their
views. They’re loud in their condemnation of government, but never voice how to
improve the situation. They eat too much, exercise too little, gamble too often
and drink too heavily. They criticize successful people and will tell a lie,
rather than admit they don’t know something.
On the
other hand, the devil has no control over a non-drifter, a person who is awake
to the devil’s wiles. There is no glee, when the devil see’s his plan to cause
a person to become addicted, has failed. And while the devil loves to see a
drifter, he hates a non-drifter.
The non-drifter
is always doing something definite, which sits alongside major and minor goals.
The tone of voice, the sparkle in the eyes, define a non-drifter. They make
quick decisions, know what they want and will take the required time go after
it. They never fail to envision the way they’d like to see their life head and
constantly work towards their vision. They extend favours, without expecting
anything in return. They’re always up front and honest, even in games, or war.
They have a good memory and never blame others for their mistakes. They enjoy
helping and are an inspiration to others.
The
non-drifter has a mind of his/her own and uses it all towards purpose and
desire, as well as helping others.
The difference
between a drifter and a non-drifter is quite simply this; a non-drifter will
use their own mind and think for themselves, planning for the future and working
towards it. A drifter is always after the easy way, with little or no thought
behind what they do, with no plans or goals to set themselves up in a lifestyle
of future comfort and ease.
This
article may come across as harsh and I’m not here to malign people who smoke,
nor people with addictions, as not every drifter is an addict, nor is every
drifter unsuccessful. People who smoke are just more likely to start the
‘drift,’ than those who don’t, according to studies.
Still,
those drifters that aren’t getting anywhere in life, need to wake up and think
for themselves. They need plan for their future, also to give some sort of
service to as many people as possible, for s/he must give before s/he gets. That’s
the universal law of reciprocity. What you give out, you get back.
God blesses His people. He blesses those who do His will. It’s
that simple. Mostly drifters don’t think to look at God. They poo-poo Him as a
figment of imagination, never reading the bible, or searching for themselves,
to see if God’s actually real. The drifter has formed his or her idea on the
matter and because they don’t think past their personal beliefs, seldom do they
take the time to search out the truth of the matter.
If you want a successful life, do as a non-drifter does.
Read, learn, study, think for yourselves and watch your life change. I know
this to be true for although never a smoker, I was once a drifter myself,
unaware of how to set and achieve goals, a disbeliever of God, thinking I was
right and others didn’t know what they were talking about. I too, was never
taught to set and achieve goals.
I’ve seen changes in my life as I’ve followed the new
programming of my mind (which came about through the reading of my bible) and
am now successful in many areas of life. I still have some work to do, but I’m
a lot further along than I was before I started my journey. I ask you not to disregard
the ideas this article has brought forward, but to search out the truth for
yourself.
I could give you a list of web addresses, backing up what
I’ve written about in this article, but I shall leave it to you to do your own
leg work. The non-drifter will take the time to seek the truth, whereas the
drifter won’t bother, as they already think they know the truth and while we
can never know everything about life, it does help to search out what’s important
to living a successful life.
Having said that, some people are quite happy drifting
along, slowly marking time without the stress of hard work and that’s fine, if
it’s your choice. But, if you feel you aren’t getting anywhere in life, perhaps
it’s time to step it up a little, work out where you would like to be, set your
intention and aim for that.
©2023
NB: This work is based on the belief of the writer. All she
asks, is that you study and form your own opinion, as to the validity of her
beliefs. You can’t assume you’re right on any given topic, you have to prove
it.
Alexandra Grose –
An investigative photojournalist and author for over twenty years. Writing is
her passion and her dream and helping others achieve their dreams, through her
written work, is Alexandra's greatest aspiration.
#Integrity;
truthfulness, honesty and reliability, in all things.
I believe one
should....be truthful in everything you say and do. Keep all relationships open
and honest. Be reliable, punctual and organised and if you say you'll do it -
do it.
If you want to soar
like an eagle, make an effort, not an excuse.
