25 mts underwater and a smoked cigarette

I used to smoke on rare occasions. I started smoking as a result of my curiosity to try new things and in order to fit into my pear group. It was a perfectly monitored undertaking, I would make sure I don’t smoke on more than 4-5 occasions in a month. If there was a slightest doubt that I was starting to like it then I would simply stop smoking. Today I have quite a many practical reasons to avoid smoking and my attitude towards smokers is not hostile like many non-smokers.

One particular incident about smoking that I always share is when I swam 25mts underwater in a single breath, the inspiration came from a smoked cigarette. One night I was just sitting idle in my company hostel’s smoking zone. I had a cigarette in my mouth. Since there was no one to talk with, or anything worthwhile to do, all I was left with was watching myself smoke. As I was watched, I began to consciously take big puffs and hold it in my lung for a longer time. Then I slowly exhaled, as slow as possible. Not to mention the kick was awesome. But I began to realize the inhaling and exhaling process was similar to my underwater swimming trials.

Until that time I was really struggling with underwater swimming. The breath was hard to handle. I would take a big gulp of air and go under water but in few seconds when I tried to release the air in my lungs. The lungs would empty themselves and I would be soon left with no breath at all. All my attempt at slow release weren’t really working out. For some or other reason I couldn’t keep a check over my breath exhalation under water. I couldn’t keep my exhalation steady.

But here in smoking zone. I could actually see the air exiting my lungs, and now I had a far better control. Since I could see I could easily control the flow. I tried to release the toxic fume as slow and steady as possible. After about 2-3 cigarettes I was pretty confident, if I apply the same technique under water, I might go a farther distance. The next day I tried the same, and was pretty successful.

25mts underwater is not a big deal. And smoking is not cool at all. It really destroys your body. I just thought of sharing a peculiar incident and I would be grateful if you drop any ideas that might have occurred to you in course of reading this post. Having said that I will encourage you to experiment with life, take chances. You are the maker of your own destiny.