Why Smoke a Pipe?

I love starting the day with a few moments of quiet composure, gently smoking a pipe and sipping a cup of coffee.  It's a treasured time that I try to carve out each day to come up with a daily game plan and mentally prepare for the challenges that await.  Additionally, I find that the best way to end each day is to enjoy a hearty blend.  Pipe smoking creates an atmosphere of reflection to thoughtfully consider the highs and lows of the day, and the many things for which I have to be thankful.  It's a fantastic accompaniment for reading and writing, as well.

But, what makes it so?  I've mentioned these things in a previous blog, but they are worth revisiting here.  For me, pipe smoking is relaxing, stress relieving, and just plain fun.  It can help create a time of thought when you're alone, and it can make times with friends even better.  It can help you focus on the simple joys of all the senses, as you feel the pipe's finish and shape while holding it, see the beauty of a well-crafted smoking instrument, hear the gentle sizzle of a pipe that's "in the chuff," smell the aroma of a fine tobacco blend, and of course taste any number of flavors available today.  In essence, pipe smoking is a celebration of many of the positive aspects of what it is to be human!

In today's high-tech, fast-paced world, it can be very easy to get completely caught up in the stress and mess of things.  After some time, we may find ourselves completely lost in the chaos of the day-to-day grind, never taking time to pause and collect our thoughts. This is why I believe pipe smoking is making a comeback--it's low tech.  The pipe forces you to calm down and take each moment as it comes.  You can't rush through it like so much else in life.  You have to settle yourself, and live in the here and now, not whatever is happening on your social media feed, or whatever notifications keep popping up on your smart device.  And even if those things encroach upon your precious down time, having a pipe in hand simply gives it all a better sense of perspective.  

Ultimately, I believe that pipe smoking has assisted me in my journey to becoming a more considerate husband, a more patient father, a more thoughtful friend.  And I don't know anyone who wouldn't desire those attributes!