Good writing. Logically laid out and powerfully stated.

In my early 30s I engaged in a 30 day — long term decision exercise to breath clean air instead of smoking cigarettes. By the 5th day the desire to smoke cigs was gone. I continued with the exercise because I had made a vow to myself that could not be broken. Everyday I would take a cigarette out of the pack and hold it between my fore finger and middle finger of my right hand for a minute or two while noticing my breath and my choice to breathe clean air. Then I would put it back in the pack. Later I would throw the unsmoked cigarette away. Tempting myself with smoking brought up both the desire to smoke, sometimes weak, sometimes strong along with the desire to breath clean air. It was a success for those 30 days. After that about a year later I smoked a cigarette while drink beer at a bar and clearly it was a mistake. Since that slip I have been breathing clean-air since about 37 years ago.

Thoughts arose during that time, my inner critic telling me I had conquered the desire and it was silly to continue or a thought of going for matches or my lighter. Because I was noticing my breath I was able to watch these thoughts without judgment.

Years early a classmate of mine suggested we change the time of our morning meditation from 6am to 8am. The instructor asked why. My classmate replied: “So we can be comfortable.”

The instructor asked: “What’s wrong with being uncomfortable?” Since surrendering to a path of service in 1990, the question of being comfortable or uncomfortable was no longer important in the dharma work that seemed to have chosen me. Every day I feel honored and blessed to continue on a path of service.