Guilty Pleasure

            There are many things I enjoy in life. Few of theses things come with mixed feelings of embarrassment or guilt. However, one thing that I sincerely enjoy and feel both guilt and embarrassment about is the occasional smoking of cigars.  I feel that the “why I feel guilty” is fairly obvious considering the health risks of smoking any tobacco product. I try to stay healthy in almost every other aspect in life such as diet and exercise, so to sit down and enjoy a cigar seems completely contradictory and hypocritical. I don’t lie to myself and pretend that being healthy somehow off sets the risk or that because I do it very seldom it isn’t as bad. I am fully aware of the risks I take when choosing to smoke, thus the feeling of guilt. My parents, whom I highly respect, would also be quite disappointed. Not only at the fact that I smoke cigars but also that I willing shell out 10 or more dollars for a rare cigar. This is why I am still embarrassed to talk about it with them. All of this considered, what is it about cigars that makes it worth while and so pleasurable? For me cigar smoking is pleasurable for two reasons. The first reason isn’t about the act of smoking at all. It is more about good conversation, spending time with friends and relaxing as the smoke curls in the air. I even have begun to associate the sweet cigar aroma with good times. Now, every time I catch a whisp of cigar smoke, I am reminded of the time spent among friends sharing a cigar. Secondly, I sincerely enjoy a complex blending of flavors that you can only find in a quality smoke. I don’t do it to satisfy an addiction and I have yet to see a cigar smoker huddled in a corner getting a “fix” on break, which I frequently see with cigarette smokers. The flavors seem to soothe your tongue and enhance the meditative process. Feeling the hearty smoke roll onto your tongue and that interestingly distinct sweet spice flavor tingles in your mouth. All in all cigar smoking is as much about the experience as the enjoyment of the cigar itself. I am not proud of the fact that I have chosen this to be my guilty pleasure in life but I cannot say that I am entirely ashamed of it either.