Amazing Queries

The question, “Why do companies still make cigarettes if they know that people will die from using them?” This was the question posed by my 10 year old daughter at the dinner table last night. I was very impressed with this question and it took me awhile to phrase a response. The people to the rear of us were having a party (yes, another party but at least the hour was reasonable) and the smell of cigarette smoke wafted into our family room which provoked this question. My response was preempted by wife as she went into a discussion on addiction and how it is a very difficult habit to stop. This prompted another question from my daughter; “why would people start smoking knowing they could die?” This was another “WOW” question and I sure hope my daughter maintains these thoughts as those around her choose those bad habits.

We had a very nice discussion how “young” people think they know better than their parents which causes some bad choices like smoking cigarettes. I’m not sure where, how or why my daughter appears to have such a good head on her shoulders but she is certainly on the right road. She is a very mature 10 year old and I don’t mean this from a physical standpoint, I mean this from a mental standpoint. She has always been an “old soul” and has been an advanced thinker. I could equate this to my own youth but she is her own person and what a wonderful person she is turning out to be. There will be some “tense” moments as my daughter goes through her teenage years but I have complete faith everything will turn out wonderful. Thankfully because of my recovery I will be able to enjoy these moments as they come.

It appears Sundays will be the day of rest as Saturdays are filled with activities. Everyone was wiped out this morning and I was very surprised I stayed awake until 11:00 pm last night in spite of waking up at 4:00 am. This was a major improvement and I think having more caffeine than I normally do had something to do with it. Prior to my incarceration and during my incarceration my caffeine intake was severely limited. I must admit prior to my incarceration this was by choice; however; I have read a few articles regarding the positive benefits of caffeine so I have added caffeine to my diet. This has made a difference in staying awake and I am still able to refrain from coffee.

I haven’t had a cup of coffee in 20 years and I have no intention of starting. I do drink tea and I do enjoy the Starbucks chai tea soy latte. Also; I have discovered a healthy energy drink and the only reason I tried this drink is due to the fact that Lance Armstrong endorses it. If there is one person I admire outside of my friends and family it is Mr. Armstrong. He is the epitome of perseverance and anyone who could overcome cancer is a hero in my book let alone win 7 Tour de France’s in a row. The name of this energy drink is FRS and is a breath of fresh air from the multitude of caffeine, ginseng among other ingredients induced energy drinks. The FRS drink does work very well for me and also doesn’t taste half bad.

Anyhow everyone was very tired this morning and even my son slept very late. This gave my wife and I time to watch our Sunday morning standby of the CBS Sunday Morning Program. These are the moments which mean so much for me because I didn’t have a single one of these moments over 19 ½ month span. The highlight of my Sundays were receiving visits and thank God I was able to receive those visits but now the highlight of my Sundays are just hanging out with my family. This is exactly what we did today as there wasn’t any activity planned and it was a great day.

The time came for me to attend the Sunday evening Gamblers Anonymous meeting and it was a very good meeting. There is a wonderful member who doesn’t necessarily attend the requisite one meeting per week because this member is very busy with life. I always enjoy this member’s therapy and it was wonderful seeing this member tonight. The level of the meeting was raised because of this member and there was even a new member in attendance. The focus is always on the new member as the longer term members recount how and why they started attending Gamblers Anonymous. It is amazing how the tenor of the meeting changes with a new member and I had something in common with this new member as we both had our addiction amplified by the internet.

This is a relatively new phenomenon even for Gamblers Anonymous as it was created over 50 years ago. Fifty years ago there wasn’t the internet or the prevalence of gambling throughout the country. Thinking back to 50 years ago the only place to “legally” wager in a casino was Las Vegas; now the casinos are a “click” away. The advent of the video poker machine lead to the label of the “crack cocaine of gambling” but I think this has taken a step further with the internet.

There are people out there who become addicted with the first click of a mouse. These people may have never stepped into the casino in their lifetime yet they have lost their life savings with that click of the mouse. I do believe the principles of GA apply to the internet gambling addiction because for me it is all the same; an addiction while having one’s life goes out of control. I know the GA Program works and hopefully this member will come back for a second meeting because life does get better and better with each passing day in recovery.