DaniB

My boyfriend was a heavy smoker for 12 years. He quit before we started dating (we were friends first) because he knew that I find the habit disgusting. I told him that I can’t control what other people do and that personally I dislike it and could never see myself with a smoker. He stopped smoking cold turkey 2 years ago and has not had a single cigarette since. Due to this, I absolutely believe that people *can* give up smoking. I am not diminishing how difficult it can be. A doctor I know told me she had seen people give up heroin who could not give up smoking. This is part of the reason I am so glad I have never smoked. It makes my life much easier!

This is a very interesting topic. Over the past month I have heard of three Orthodox couples who were divorced within a year of their marriage. I was shocked initially. I didn’t realize this was a new phenomenon within the Orthodox community and it amazes me. That being said I agree that as far as my limited knowledge goes that yes, in the secular world divorce is a much bigger problem. While I cannot fathom agreeing to spend my life with someone after 6 dates, I don’t think that living together does much to help a relationship either. Is there any middle ground? Statistically you are more likely to get divorced if you live with your partner before your marriage. Some very good friends of mine (secular) who lived together for 5 years before getting married are getting a divorce now, only 6 months after their marriage… all these bonds dissipating are very tragic. I think commitment in general is not taken as seriously in the younger generation. People in previous generations seemed to look at life differently. Sometimes I wonder if we’re even equipping our youth with life tools anymore. Society paints a very sad portrait of where we are all headed.