Sazerac

I am so glad you are beginning to reap the rewards of being smoke free. The gifts will continue and expand. Learning to live free is v. exciting. It was only after I quit that I realized how living creatures around me were truly affected by my addiction. My denial ran v. deep.

Congratulations Mister Oink !

Nuggets.....loose change.

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4 Hi Nancy ! Woo Hoo !

Absolutely fabulous post, QueenB ! Stay vigilant and let us know if you need anything from a kick in the butt to a big sloppy kiss. We love quitters so much.

I auditioned this guy but, I dunno

4 hello everybody

@QueenB, you are young in your quit and must treat it as a priceless jewel. Protect it with your life. All sorts of craves and triggers will appear during your first year, that is just the way it is. Be prepared, some will pop in out of the blue. Every receptor in your brain will fire off, one at a time, screaming 'gimme a smoke !' When you change up your response and replace this scream with a reward instead of a smoke, you WIN. You reclaim your brain and that receptor will no longer rely on nicotine. It's pretty cool how our brain will heal itself. This is why rewards are so important. Your receptors are used to nicotine signalling a reward of dopamine, soon they will give you a reward for looking at beauty or listening to music or dancing around, so happy to be nicotine free. You are doing great ! Continue educating yourself...knowledge is power.

I am responding here to this post of yours "As a smoker for 38 years I appreciate this thread because I struggle and struggle and relapse and relapse, then find myself wondering why others are able to stay quit and why I give in to the junkie thinking and make the choice to smoke again ("just one last pack because ABC") over and over and over again, fully aware of what I'm doing but "feeling" powerless to stop (note I am aware I'm "feeling" powerless, not truly powerless in reality) Please don't read into this post as giving myself an excuse to relapse. Thats not what I mean. I mean, I am trying not to kick myself in the head everytime I relapse, but to stay aware of the fact that when you smoke for as long as some of us have smoked, its going to be hard, its going to be tough and instead of hating on ourselves and criticizing ourselves (that will lead to giving up trying) its better to acknowledge that its going to continue to be hard and that its time to try something different...take suggestions...try new things to avoid giving in. I need to shake up this quit. I'm tired of coming in here with a new quit over and over again. Its embarrassing and humbling for sure. ..................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... and my response... Being honest with myself and using self critique as a tool has only led to me being a better human being to myself and others. Truth is my friend. How can it not be ? @MichelleDoesntSmokeAnymore, you've been coming here since March 2015. This weekend I read over a lot of your old threads looking for a clue as to why you won't keep a quit. Perhaps, you can find the clue. Here they are. You have to stop ******* around if you actually want to quit smoking. This isn't rocket science. I smoked for over 45 years. I thought I was 'a dedicated smoker' until I learned I was just addicted and no more addicted than any other nicotine addict on the planet. None of us are special snowflakes. Yes, I had some gnarly hours, days, weeks, months but, so what ? I wasn't being bombed, wasn't in ER, wasn't starving to death. What else was I doing with my time ? Feeding addiction or learning how to Live FREE ? This is all about addiction and the education thereof. I am not stronger, smarter or, better than any other nicotine addict. The only difference lays in the fact that I committed to myself, near on six years ago to NEVER TAKE ANOTHER PUFF. NOT ONE PUFF EVER. This did not take Herculean Power, all it took was standing my ground, honoring myself and my commitment and blessed TIME. You know the drill. When will you honor a commitment to yourself and your quit ?

Hey @QueenB, These links may well help you, too Red Flags Nicodemons Lies and a keeper list of our friend, Joel Spitzer's, videos, Use Rationalization Videos You are building a sturdy, successful quit Queen B ! Hold fast to your NOPE and protect your precious quit.

15 good evening tomorrow, jojo

@Linda Thomas Jo already chose #2 so, I am giving you #3 which means YOU WIN and it is YOUR TURN. I do not know a judge.

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NOPE NOPE NOPE NOPE NOPE

Two weeks is splendid progress. You are doing great, Diane. Remember to reward yourself for every crave/trigger conquered.

Oh, I am glad you are feeling OK. Stay focused and NOPE your way through your days.

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juke joint bar or roadhouse, usually with music and dancing

I know a policeman (not counting @bakon) I know a bail bondsman I know a judge

House shoes......slippers I came home one night and found my wife with another man. He had the nerve to have my house shoes on !

are we still alphabetically inclined ? @Jordan7 you are up for 'G', lol.

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