Smoking versus Vaping

Undoubtedly and uncontroversially, the greatest cause of preventable death and disease is smoking, and the possibly of totally eradicating it because a much more attractive alternative exists, is a slam-dunk to any logical-thinking person.

We know for a fact that smoking will kill you -- just as most people who die in fires, die because of smoke inhalation first -- before they are burnt to death.

On the other hand, there is no proof that vaping kills anyone -- and is not only a replacement for smoking, but is factually and scientifically, the OPPOSITE of smoking -- as it moisturizes rather than dries out the lung tissue as a function of its main ingredients of glycerin and propylene glycol known for that effect in skin-, hair-, nail-moisturizing products.

Water vapor is not the same as smoke -- even though they kind of look alike. But that is an important distinction to discriminate -- rather than equate, as though they are the same thing, because if one can't, they will run into a burning building rather than away from it.

The more accurate metaphor for vaping is actually "inhalation therapy," rather than electronic cigarettes, which implies all the things that it isn't.

If their peers think that they are smarter for vaping rather than actually smoking (anything), there's nothing wrong with that -- because that will be borne out by any scientist who has any idea of what they are talking about -- instead of just fear- and ignorance mongering masquerading as the political correctness.

And even better that they can do it discreetly -- rather than polluting the air for everybody around them. Thanks for not smoking. You've saved the worlld and yourself!

Doing Everything Wrong -- and Refusing to Change

That is a fatal combination.  Not surprisingly, that is always and inevitably fatal. One could not expect anything different -- yet many people make up their minds, even at an early age, to do everything wrong, and refuse to change.  That is the process of dying, and before that,the slow dying we call "aging," because we refuse to change, for whatever reason.  One is set in their ways, and is no longer responsive, and meeting the challenges of their everyday living, appropriately.  One simply waits, for the inevitable end -- paralyzed in thought, deed and action.  Waiting for the end.

It doesn't have to be that way, and isn't, for those who remain responsive to life -- at every age.  But that is the difference -- whether one is responsive, and responds appropriately, optimally, beneficially -- and not just indiscriminately, as though nothing makes a difference, but one keeps on doing it anyway.  Obviously, if something is not working, doing more of it, is not going to make the difference one desires -- but only give them the same result -- time after time, after time.

The obvious is that one must do something different, to get a different result, and eventually, the desired result -- but one cannot achieve that, by doing that which doesn't work -- no matter how much more times.  Fortunately, there is not just one way things can be done -- but many ways, until one discovers what works wonderfully -- and can move on to the next challenge to a better life.  That has always been the challenge of living in any age.

So the solution must solve the problem -- and not just keep it going, and getting worse.  The easy answer then, is that one must be doing the opposite of what one is doing, and not just the opposite of what would make perfectly good sense to do, and would actually solve the problem, rather than perpetuating it for all time.  That is the culture of dysfunction -- and not a more perfect society, which of course, must be composed of more perfect individuals.  It doesn't just happen because people wish it so.  They have to do things that actualize that reality -- even if they are the first, the pioneers in doing it that way -- that leads to a better way for others.

But first, it has to be discovered and manifested by one, to make it a reality and choice for others.  Until then, we don't know we have that possibility -- until someone actually manifests it -- and not just say that someone (else) should.  Few are conditioned to think this way.  Most are conditioned to believe they have no choice -- in all the thoughts and actions of their lives.  Somebody else is always responsible -- for solving the problems of their lives.  But they themselves, think that they cannot solve the problems of their own lives -- in that direct and obvious way, in being the way one lives their lives successfully.

Seldom is it the case that there are "no results."  Much more likely, is that there are not the results one desires -- rather than that it is acknowledged that one is getting the wrong results, and the desired results, require different actions -- beginning with the understanding of the problem, and the conditioning that makes it so.  One is never simply "doing nothing," but always "doing something" -- even if for a wrong and disastrous result.

Then one sees the cause and effect -- or karma, of actions leading to results.  It may not be what we intended, or would like others to believe is true, but it is the result of our actions.  Some would have us believe that there is no link or consequence between what we do, and what we experience -- as the result of our actions (exercise), which largely explains (determines) the person we are.  That may be a prematurely old and dysfunctional person -- but doesn't have to be, not just because one wishes it were not so -- but doing differently to make it so.  That will make a difference.  That is the only thing that will.