I want to bring up a topic that isn’t necessarily focused on cigars, but rather all the things we appreciate and why. Whether it is a hobby, lifestyle, or moment reminding us of our fondest memories, there are things in life that have a special place in our mind. What they all have in common is a connection and a beginning.
Think about the things you enjoy and why you enjoy them. What meaning do they hold do you and where does that meaning come from. For some of us it may remind us of our childhood and the things that made an impact in our lives as we grew up. For others it may be the surprises that came up in moments where we escape the busy day and make time to focus on ourselves. There may even be a mix. But when something is important to us there is a connection. Let’s take food for example.
Food and comfort go hand in hand. There are items that perhaps our parent’s prepared for us that we remember fondly not for just what it was, but the circumstances and story behind it. It may create a starting point for us to grown on and make into our own. There are elements that we respond to and take pleasure in. We begin to make a palate for those elements and look to expand on them as we grow in life. Some things change and some stay the same, but there is never a wrong or right to it, just what meets our satisfaction. This is where appreciation comes in, and the value of our time.
Hobbies or ways we chose to relax let us connect with our strengths and rejuvenate. They make time stand still as we enjoy them, and those we enjoy them with.
For me, growing up it was those closest to me and my environment that made the impact. My father made me aware of the power of knowledge and finding answers from different sources. If ever I had a question, at any age and however simple or complex the question may be, even though he knew the answer he made me discover it on my own. He would guide me to books and people and the questions to ask (yes, more questions for my one simple question) until we looked at it in a more thorough light. From the history of where things came from to the science of how they are made, my father always pushed me to discover more and to discover it on my own. I thank him for that. As a child it wasn’t the best at the time, and the funny thing was if I avoided asking him I would have to find out on my own just as he would have me. But he was always there to guide and support me.
My mother and aunt are those I spent the most time with and are where a lot of my passion comes from. This aunt was not an aunt by blood, but very much was my family. You see my mother’s family is something we know little to nothing of as she was orphaned as a child and grew up on her own. My “aunt” left her family to start new opportunities in America. When she and my mother met they were family, and so she is mine. I was told at a very young age that my mother would pass away and I had said my goodbyes. My aunt played a significant part in this as she raised me along side her. Fortunately my mother survived years past what the doctors had expected, making each day I had her in my life a blessing. I cherished every moment and detail. And that is where much of my passion and appreciation comes from. You see they loved to cook, to entertain and host parties, and to make their own business allowing them the time to enjoy life. Every day was given detail, however simple or grand the occasion may be. And they always included me in all that they did. My aunt believed strongly in always representing ourselves through our words, actions, and appearance. Every single day she raised me in this belief.
At home every meal was made from scratch in our home, and I would watch or participate where permitted. Even breakfast was done properly at the table with time to enjoy the meal. It may have meant waking up earlier, but it was important to take out time and enjoy this moment and prepare yourself for the day, focused and ready. During events I would assist in setting up and making sure guests were attended to properly. Conversations, detail to food, enjoyment of wine- it was all there and something that I have a strong connection to to this day. It made me happy, and especially happy to share it with others who held that same appreciation. We never know how long our lives will be or what each day may bring us, but we are in control of making the most of each moment.
Now, as far as smoking is concerned most of the women I knew growing up smoked cigarettes and many of the men cigars. I always enjoyed the smell of a good cigar, but never found an affinity for cigarettes no matter how much my aunt smoked them. There was nothing there for me. Looking into cigars and the culture and process that goes into them was something I could relate to and find enjoyment in. It goes back to food and the palate, and what is enjoyable. There is an experience to be had.
And so when I enjoy a meal or smoke a cigar, yes there are details to consider of what is liked better over another, but at the end of the day the goal is the same: to enjoy life.
And so I want to ask you, what are your beginnings? What goes through your mind when you are relaxing and indulging in your hobby or luxury of choice? I think the little things are important as they help us paint a bigger picture.
I like to enjoy at least one element of what I appreciate each day. Maybe it is reading and discovering something new about my interests, having a cigar, a fine wine, or a great conversation with a friend. Whether on my own or with company, I make an effort to do something each day. This is one of the reasons I created this site, as a place to share experiences of our appreciation to life’s luxuries.
Teresa,
This was a neat video, and a great way to connect with your
viewers on an intimate level. A true glimpse into a side that many blog and website members never have the chance to see of the hosts of those sites. You will forever be able to indulge in your favorite things in life, all while provoking some of your fondest memories of relatives. An excellent video, and very informative story.
As for myself, I was merely an occasional cigar smoker, until my trip to the Dominican Republic early last year. It was not only the beauty of the beaches and landscapes, but the livelihood that encompassed our hobby, cigars. Exploring the markets, the drying tobacco leaves, watching the locals roll beautiful Dominican handmade cigars and the smell of saltwater in the air truly got me hooked. I will forever have a Dominican bias, but perhaps more important, I will always remember why we do what we do.
-Brian
What a great video, it was definitely refreshing to see a video with content you can sincerely appreciate. Happy Sunday and keep it up!
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Brian, Thank you so much
This is something that plays an important role for me, in life and in all that I do, and is something I wanted to share. Your visit to the Dominican Republic sounds absolutely incredible, and I value your bias because of your experience! The meaning makes the experience. I imagine all of your senses can recall everything from that trip each time you smoke a Dominican cigar, too. You said it well, we must remember “why we do what we do”.
@dickchu Thank you, Rich. I’m delighted you enjoyed what I had to say. Have a wonderful Sunday as well, there is much to look forward to.
Greetings, Teresa!
This is a great video. I am glad to know more about you and your upbringing. We have one more thing in common other than a passion for cigars. My mother and father would always respond to my and my brother’s questions with “look it up!” This was way before the computer age and books were our only research tools. We had three sets of encyclopedias at home. One set was from 1906, and both grandmothers gave us a set each. Our teachers would give us assignments that required visits to the library. In this manner I developed a thirst and a passion for knowledge. I still maintain a library because I enjoy that connection that evolves between the writer and the reader. Carl Gustav Jung, the famous psychiatrist recommended giving one’s self research projects in order to keep the mind sharp and to avoid states of depression. All of this love for knowledge came into play when I was introduced to smoking fine cigars. The study of cigars and their history is now an ongoing endeavor. This fits in with my other project which is a study of symbols and their variety of meanings across cultures. Cigars and smoke are not outside the realm of symbolic meaning.
I thank you for being encouraged to share more of your Self with us and I look forward to knowing more about my other brothers and sisters of the leaf as well as sharing more of my life experience.
Well said Teresa, well said.
I really enjoyed your video. Thank you. It’s a nice change to see and hear a bit about who you are. First let me say I haven’t encountered any women that on their own regularly enjoy fine cigars, so bump into you is especially nice treat. Kind of like the surprisingly sweet after taste I find in the last third of a Cuban Monte #2.
Nobody during my childhood smoked cigars, however some smoked cigarettes. That made easier to try them in my late teens, but I quit after a few years because there wasn’t any real taste enjoyment. Smoking a cigarette always brought to mind pouring an ashtray in my mouth.
As for me, for some odd reason the Hungarian women in my family felt it important for me to learning how to cook at a young age. They started me around eight years old and I became rather proficient by my late teens; eventually becoming the feel cook I am today. I love it when the meshing of flavors explodes on my palate, thrilling me with what I refer to as a “morish” taste… in other words, I want more now!
Good food, wine, and single malts have driven my taste buds, and still do so. Take for instance a water cracker topped with slightly melted triple cream brie and a bit of goose pate with truffles, followed closely by a sip of single malt or a powerful red… my taste buds are in heaven.
That brings me to approximately eight years ago when a friend suggested I try a cigar with my single malt. A bit apprehensive I said nothing ventured, nothing gained and agreed. Thankfully he enjoyed fine cigars. The odd part about that one special cigar is I don’t recall what it was. But, since then like many cigar smokers I’ve graduated up the ranks to enjoy what I believe to be some of the finest cigars in the world. That one cigar brought years of new flavor profiles to my taste buds.
For the last twenty years my biggest passion is being an avid golfer. Playing great golf brings me insurmountable joy, challenge and at times frustration. Like the mixture of pate, brie and single malt, or single malt and a fine cigar; a fine cigar during golf influences my experience. It not only helps me to relax it’s another double my pleasure experience.
During a round of 18 I typically enjoy two cigars; then maybe one in the evening on the patio, and or with friends if the situation presents itself. Whether referred to as a causal cigar smoker or not, the best moments in my life and taste buds have been heightened when I limit my enjoyment. It’s all about invigorating moments in life. The more I know about what goes into those moments, the greater my joy and passion; like you said.
Wow, this was very deep and very touching… You are amazing. Thank you for sharing this very intimate part of you with your viewers!