I enjoy smoking. I like the action, the fingers to the mouth, the deep inhale, and the long breath out. I like the pause in the day, 
the moment of nonthought. I hate the smell and I don’t care for the taste. I am not a smoker, I can go days, weeks even without a cigarette. I think this is a major drawback to quitting. Why quit if it is not a problem, why give up something I have control over? Maybe because it is proven to cause cancer and I have kids. Maybe because I don’t want them to think that it is ok. Maybe because my husband would love it if I did. How about quitting for the improvement in my skin tone or the color of my teeth. My energy level goes up when I don’t smoke. But let me tell you the best reason why I don’t quit and the biggest reason why I should.
The thought of a cigarette comes out of nowhere, usually while I am driving. Then like the best meditator in the whole world the mantra repeats itself with increasing urgency until there is no other thought in my head. Then I proceed to argue with myself until I pull into a gas station or find an excuse to visit someone I know who smokes.
How do I change the chant or the clamoring in my brain? How do I create a new mantra that boosts my will to drive past the smoke? It scares me that I haven’t thought of one yet. Why can’t any of those reasons listed above prove a stronger urgency? Why don’t they win?
The swine flu has 10 confirmed deaths according to the WHO website which is updated daily. 10 deaths as of May 1st, 2009. It is true they are still testing cases and the number will probably rise. Influenza viruses kill thousands every year. Why was this one so hyped? Something to do with Mexico maybe? Perhaps a good scare will help our legislators pass some desired laws that aren’t appetizing to a confident citizenry. 
In Retaliation 