Genecanuck

JUST FOR TODAY .... Quitnet Re-Post, February 24, 2004 Keep the quit. Just For Today Meditation... From LilMiss01 on 2/24/2004 8:46:26 AM Just For Today JUST FOR TODAY I will try to live through this day only, and not tackle my whole life problem at once. I can do something for twelve hours that would appall me if I felt that I had to keep it up for a lifetime. JUST FOR TODAY I will be happy. This assumes to be true what Abraham Lincoln said, Most people are as happy as they make up their minds to be.... JUST FOR TODAY I will adjust myself to what is, and not try to adjust everything to my own desires. I will take my LUCK as it comes and fit myself to it. JUST FOR TODAY I will try to strengthen my mind. I will study. I will learn something useful. I will read something that requires effort, thought, and concentration. JUST FOR TODAY I will exercise my soul in three ways: I will do somebody a good turn, and not get found out; if anybody knows of it ,it will not count. I will do at least two things I don't want to do--just for exercise. I will not show anyone that my feelings are hurt; they may be hurt, but today I will not show it. JUST FOR TODAY I will be agreeable. I will look as well as I can, dress becomingly, talk low, act courteously, criticize not one bit, not find fault with anything, and not try to improve or regulate anybody except myself. JUST FOR TODAY I will have a program. I may not follow it exactly, but I will have it. I will save myself from two pests: hurry and indecision. JUST FOR TODAY I will have a quiet half hour all by myself and relax. During this half hour, some time, I will try to get a better perspective of my life. JUST FOR TODAY I will be unafraid. Especially I will not be afraid to enjoy what is beautiful, and to believe that as I give to the world, so the world will give to me.

Good morning, This NOPE line up is strong today. I join you @WeegieWoman in offering my pledge Not to have One Puff Ever! My hands are out to the next person that is ready to take the pledge today.

Don't Negotiate, Quitnet Re-Post, January 3, 2006 Good morning, There is no real "demon" in our heads. Just stinking junkie thinking. So let's not negotiate with that junkie stinking thinking. Keep your quit. don't negotiate-repost for new quitters From terri2005 on 1/3/2006 10:04:22 AM I don`t negotiate From terri2005 on 12/9/2005 10:50:38 PM The United States has a policy of not negotiating with terrorists. And I have a similar policy. I don`t negotiate with Nico-Demons. Its not that I don`t talk to the demon now and then. He still visits once in a while even with 562 days since his last feeding. But I don`t negotiate. We just visit briefly. `How ya been?` `Better without YOU! But thanks for asking!` `How bout a little puff? I can still get some of your favorite brand.` `Sorry demon. No can do. You see...I made this little decision this morning, that just for today, I wouldn`t take that first puff of nicotine. And I`m keeping my promise. And those are nicotine. Poison in a paper tube. Sickarettes. I`d be breaking my word. To myself. To my friends. To my family. To my friends at the Q. Go away. ` `I just stopped by because I heard about that little problem at work or home or with your health or your love life . You could use some cheering up. Just one. Nobody will know.` `My work is wonderful. My home life is the best. My health is better than ever. And my wife loves me. Go Away...` `Wow! Things are good. Let`s celebrate with a sickarette!` `Maybe tomorrow. Catch me just before I wake up, ask for help, and give thanks for another great day on this wonderful planet. And for waking up smober healthy, and ALIVE! Who knows....ya might get lucky. Now go away.` `How about a drink? I`m in good with the Alcohol-Demon and he owes me a few favors...` `I bet. Go away. I`m going fishing.` Listen up newbies... A few short years ago I sat in the hospital being shot full of steroids and epinephrine just to keep me breathing another day. The x-rays showed COPD and the Dr. said the smokes were killing me. I couldn’t get up my stairs to go to bed, much less hunt and fish. But I kept negotiating with the demon, and he always won. Today...I`m off to the high mountains of Montana for three days in the wilderness. My new lungs are a real joy on the steep hikes and 7000+` elevations. And though I`ve gained a few pounds, I feel like a million bucks. And I no longer negotiate with the demon, though we do talk now and then. One day at a time. A conscious decision upon awakening. A simple prayer in the morning `please help me, just for today, to stay away from that first puff of nicotine.`. And in the evening, out of common courtesy, a simple `Thanks` seems to work. And above all, I don`t take that FIRST puff, one day at a time. I won`t be here to watch you this weekend. I won`t know if you take that first puff or not. But you`ll know. And the demon will know. And if you open that door, just a crack, he`ll be in like a flash. He`s fast. And he`s cunning, baffling, and powerful. All you have to do is refuse to negotiate. When he shows up...send him packing. Tell him to come back tomorrow. And don`t take that first puff, just for today. This is what the demon doesn`t want you to know: If you don`t take that first puff, one day at a time, it is impossible to fail! If you don`t take that first puff, just for today, you`ll absolutely, positively, be 100% guaranteed to go to bed as a WINNER tonight! troutnut1

Love Van Halen 1984 Van Halen full album

Thank you @DenaliBlues @johnny5 @QuittingGirl and @Doreensfree I appreciate your support..

Good morning, My hubby works shift work and his weekend this week is Monday and Tuesday. Last night, he was in relaxation mode and of course, for him that involves smoking. I came home from work and was feeling tired. You know what happens when you feel hungry, angry, lonely or tired. Your body screams that it needs self care. I always use to mistake that as a need and a reason to SMOKE. And that old mistaken belief last night caused some stinking thinking.... screaming that it wanted to smoke. And of course, hubby had lots of those nasty ciggies around. But this time, I knew what was happening. And I decided not to smoke. As long as I keep recognizing that I have to take care of myself and respond to my needs, I won't make the mistake of believing that SMOKING has anything to do with making me feel better when what I really need is some self care. Keep the quit.

George Michael - Freedom! ’90 (Official Video)

Who? A Quitnet Repost, About Commitment, January 16, 2006 This post is about committment. We have all made a commitment to keep the quit. This "[a]ction has magic, grace, and power in it." Keep the quit. Repost: Who? From hoarserockstar on 1/16/2006 11:14:06 PM I was so impressed with this when I was very early in my quit that I copied it without reference to the author. I think Gummer put it up but it was a quote from someone much longer ago: " Until one is committed there is hesitancy, the chance to draw back, always ineffectiveness. Concerning all acts of initiative there is one elementary truth, the ignorance of which kills countless ideas and splendid plans: That the moment one definitely commits oneself then Providence moves too. All sorts of things occur to help one that would otherwise never have occurred. A whole stream of events issues from the decision raising in one's favor all manner of incidents and meetings and material assistance which no man would have believed would have come. Whatever you think you can do or believe you can do; begin it. Action has magic, grace, and power in it." Help me out and name that author. Andrew d 59

Good morning @WeegieWoman This NOPE line up is strong today. I join you @WeegieWomanin offering my pledge Not to have One Puff Ever! My hands are out to the next person that is ready to take the pledge today.

Thank you @DFINALJ

I Will Survive (1981 Re-recording) Gloria Gaynor • I Will Survive • 2009 https://music.youtube.com/watch?v=FHhZPp08s74&si=tIA5Eb6x0uUpVocG

Are You Happy For The Right Reasons. A Quitnet Re-Post, February 2, 2004 Good morning. Tomasso reminded us that we should be grateful for all the benefits we experience when we quit smoking. NOPE! Keep the quit. Your Quit - Are You Happy For The Right Reasons ..... From Tomaso on 2/24/2004 10:04:39 PM Oh ya! I'm more than happy I quit - I am especially happy that I no longer contribute to the tobacco company’s annual sales. I'm even happier that I no longer contribute to federal, state and local government’s tax on tobacco products. Yes, I'm happy for me too. I have only one problem - I can not enjoy an increase in energy that comes with quitting and I can not enjoy the ability to breathe easier. I waited to long to quit. Had I not quit I would not be here today and so I have benefited significantly by extending my life - I wonder if anyone can truly appreciate life without having the experience of critical illness - that is knowing you will not get better and feeling your life slip away a little bit with each passing week and month. I'm really sorry I can not enjoy the freedom of having renewed energy and the ability to breathe so much better than before. I'm not posting this for anyone to feel bad for me. I have made my choices in life and I accept the consequences of my actions. I'm posting this message for you. Yes, I want you to have what I can not. I want you to quit and stay quit. I want you to live and to help others live by helping them win their freedom from this terrible addiction before they too fall victim to the ravages of smoking. Tomaso

Good morning, This NOPE line up is strong today. I join you Kate in offering my pledge Not to have One Puff Ever! My hands are out to the next person that is ready to take the pledge today.

Kool & The Gang - Celebration .... put your hands in the air :):):) Official Music Video for Celebration performed by Kool & The Gang.

Good morning, This quitnet gem will take about five minutes of your time to read but it is well worth it. When we start realizing that we do not have to struggle or fight anything to get rid of nicotine/smoking addiction, then we find the real freedom that always exisisted before we started smoking. Keep the quit! Moving to Acceptance that Being Smoke Free is Normal RE: Help please From 4Derby on 12/30/2006 12:31:09 AM Post: originally by Bob Seems to be a common occurrence... Usually, somewhere between say 4 weeks and 4 months, sometimes a tad earlier, occasionally a bit later, we reach a hurdle. We've been through withdrawal. We've gotten ourselves really good at reconditioning triggers. But, something's still lingering. I've seen it described as a sense of doubt, a dread, a dark cloud. It's threatening. It's frightening. Here's my take. And, it's based in part on the grieving process associated with giving up nicotine described in this post (Emotional Loss Experienced from Quitting Smoking), but not entirely. I believe the hurdle we reach has to do with the bridge from depression (the 4th phase of the grieving process) to acceptance (the 5th and final phase). Crossing that bridge is the final major hurdle, and many of us find ourselves with our feet stuck in the muck of depression as we struggle with what appears to be a daunting crossing. During our pre-quit, our withdrawal, and our early trigger reconditioning, we deal with heavy doses of the first 3 stages (denial, anger, bargaining). It's not always pleasant, but it IS something we can sink our teeth into. There's something to push against. As long as we've got a tangible enemy to fight, things tend to be, if not pleasant, exciting and clear-cut. Meet your enemy head on.... defeat it with truth, and sometimes sheer stubbornness. Then.... gradually, the struggle lessens. Comfort begins to kick in. We discover, "hey! this is doable!" BUT... as we sit there, face to face with the prospect of our own success: --The tangible struggle fades. Triggers happen, but they're fewer and farther between. We know how to deal with them now, and we recognize that they're temporary. Physical withdrawal seems a distant memory. The excitement is over. It's just me and my life, and it's time to get on with it. And, nicotine isn't a part of it. Neither is "quitting" -- I DID quit. In some ways it's like the aftermath of hosting a big party. The madness of preparation, the fun of the festivities... then, everyone's gone home, and there's just clean-up to do, and work the next day. --We ponder our success. We ponder our identity. We're on the verge of making a transition. We've been a "smoker who's quitting" for weeks, maybe months. But, now we're feeling the comfort. We know it's doable in terms of winning the battles. We've won so many.... but, now we're at the point where something is suddenly becoming very real.... our identity as an ex-smoker... Success. This is acceptance... and for many of us, it's terrifying! In some respects, it's simply another form of junky reasoning. But, in this case, it hits where we're still most vulnerable... our identity... our self-confidence. "I've smoked through everything. Every celebration. Every crisis. Every monotonous moment of boredom, every study session, after meals, during the drive, after shopping, after making love, at the bar, in the bathroom, at my desk, on my porch, with Jim Bob, with Sue, with my lawyer, with my doctor, after work, during breaks, at football games, at weddings. Smoking was part of my life through every difficulty, no matter how horrific, or inconsequential. I wanted to quit badly, but deep down inside, I wonder, "can I really do this forever? Can I really manage to forge a new life for myself where I do all of the things that make up my day-to-day living without that constant security blanket?" We question a future where celebrations and defeats, excitement and boredom are experienced without the presence of the powerful drug to which we were actively addicted for years. We question our mettle. We've made it this far, and we've proven to ourselves that it's doable. But, now we're playing for keeps. This is for good. This is permanent. Can we imagine the rest of our life as an ex-smoker? It feels particularly difficult when we're going through it for a couple of reasons. 1) we haven't had to struggle that hard lately, and it catches us unprepared. 2) the very nature of the transition -- acceptance of yourself as an ex-smoker -- is rooted in permanence. Where before, the struggles were day-to-day, this is suddenly about me vs. eternity. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- So, what to do? The truth is that dealing with this transition is not really all that different from how we deal with all the other hurdles we've faced since we quit. We make this transition by getting back to the fundamentals that got us to this point. Honesty --Was smoking really a part of my identity? Did it define, in part, who I am? Or, was smoking a way to relieve the discomfort of nicotine withdrawal every half-hour or so? --Are my memories of smoking drifting toward the "ahh" cigarette, and neglecting all the other, mindlessly smoked ones, forced into the cold to poison myself, late-night runs to the liquor store to spend hard-earned money on a fix, staining my fingers and teeth, making me reek, giving my children scratchy throats, turning colds into bronchitis, threatening me with early death and disfigurement with every puff? --If I smoked today, how would I truly feel tonight? Tomorrow? Next year... Ponder it for a bit. Envision yourself back on the other side of the line, looking back across it at yourself now. Picture yourself with the stick in your mouth, inhaling, knowing the full-measure of what that cigarette was doing to you. Question whether you'd rather be reminiscing about the odd "ahh" cigarette once in a while, or be reminiscing about the few weeks/months of comfort you achieved when you quit. --Remind yourself that there is no such thing as one, and extrapolate it out over the years. Shine the light of truth on it. Have a look around at elderly smokers (the ones who've made it to old age). Put yourself in their shoes. Remember which side of the line you're on. Remind yourself why you chose this side of the line.... why you want to stay on this side. One day at a time Permanence is frightening. But, it's achievable in small doses. Just because you're an "experienced quitter" doesn't mean the basic principles change. Today is doable. The next hour is doable. Never stop celebrating Quitting smoking is a tremendous gift you've given yourself. Unlike many other gifts, this one should never lose its luster over time. In fact, the opposite is true. Over time, this gift becomes more important, more impactful..... Measure it in terms of health, self-esteem, life, freedom..... but MEASURE IT. Celebrate every day of this gift. You've earned it. Acceptance is an Embrace Finally, don't simply accept your new status -- "ex-smoker"; Embrace it. Sit down and look at it honestly. Compare this new identity to the old one (whatever label you want to attach to what you were when you smoked.... I was a slave). Separate yourself for a minute, and observe the 2 "yous" as an impartial 3rd party. Look them over thoroughly. Which do you want for yourself? Choose one. And, then, embrace it. Life will go on, there will be good days, and bad days. Terrible sadness, and joyous elation. Regardless what life is bringing you at the moment, embrace this thing that is only positive. Embrace your decision for life

NOPE

Nope from Ottawa, Ontario

Love Ain't Talkin' 'Bout Love Judist Priest: Turbo Lover

Humour! This quitnet post made me laugh. Keep the quit! The Postman repost~~~ A MUST for your library!! From Leslipaige on 5/27/2004 7:24:31 PM Day One: ****. Day One again only the next day: Have tried to kill husband twice. Decide against washing dishes as always have cigarette when done. Same for bathroom. Am suddenly thinking this has upside. Eating dried fruit, apricots, pears, and brown things that look like squished roaches, which remind me of doobie roaches, which remind me of cigarettes. Watch husband light a cigarette; look at him pitifully. Eat leftover beans from last night – that’ll show him. Walk by computer and wave occasionally. Can’t sit and write or surf as this has been main smoking area. It’s about four-o’clock now; I could have just one, I could have just one, I could have just one. That’s Mr. Nicotine. He lives with me; ‘he’ could be a chick, but frankly, right now, I don’t frigging care. Decide to play fantasy game on Playstation. Spend next three hours breeding Chocobos so game hero can save world. World doomed in my opinion. Day two, morning: Woke up two hours earlier than usual. Great; two extra hours of fencing practice with the RJ Reynolds Company and spawn. Seriously considering finding some hallucinogens as never had desire for nicotine during a really good walk through a wall. Woke up six times during night to pee because I drank four gallons of water "to assist my system flush poison." Am feeling unusually testy as result of lack of sleep and deep-seated oral fixation fantasies. Decide to either kill or have sex with mail carrier when post arrives. Probably both. Day 2, afternoon: See husband off to airport for business trip. Clean closets. Nothing new in mail. Did all laundry out of necessity – body of dead mail carrier would not fit in dryer otherwise. Put in extra dryer sheets (Arm and Hammer, biodegradable.) Decide to take walk. Meet neighbor who asks if mail came yet. She is smoking a cigarette. I tell her no out of spite. Day 3, morning: Go through dead man’s mail bag; keep catalogues for joyous Christmas shopping. Feed rest down garbage disposal. Day 3, Afternoon: Call garbage disposal repair. Day 4: Receive visitor. Police looking for missing mail carrier – received anonymous tip from garbage disposal repair person. Make coffee and offer fat-free cookies and dried fruit. Arrange dried fruit to make smiley faces on plate. Police officer asks if I mind if he smokes. Burst in to tears. Confess. Day 472: Sentenced to death in murder of Postal Employee. Federal crime. Day 478: Beaten by seven large women in prison for having no cigarettes to trade. Able to sing better now; make up prison blues songs. Day 552: Receive divorce papers: husband marrying tobacco heiress. Cell-mate offers to have ex husband whacked. Wants twelve cartons of cigarettes and one pair Doc Marten boots. Decide husband will live as price too steep. Day 558: Secure two cartons of cigarettes for payment to cell-mate to have defense attorney whacked. Feel better. Day 691: Served last meal – minister asks if anything wanted at last moments. Think back to how good cigarette after meals used to be. Request one last smoke. Minister reluctant, no smoking in federal building, but sneaks one in. Sit back, relax, smoke. Ahhhhh. Feel slightly dizzy, giddy, euphoric. Warden enters cell excitedly; Governor issues full pardon due to new Federal "It Takes a Village" crimes statute: allows for defense appeal of insanity by reason of severe nicotine withdrawal. Day 1: ****.

Not one smoke ever!!

Good morning, I feel like I am returning to my normal state feeling like a non smoker again. Hubby has been working out of town for the past week and is coming home on Sunday. I had been a nonsmoker for a long time before we started dating. Met him in the midst of grieving my former spouse. He became the new love of my life in the midst of grief. This felt bittersweet. Funny how life works that way sometimes. But the new love of my life was a smoker. I knew that was the one thing I did not like about him but I made a conscious decision to accept him into my life anyways. Unfortunately, what awakened in me was the old triggers of associating smoking with pleasure. I observed him having fun and smoking. Taking breaks and smoking. Dealing with his stressors and smoking. For every event in life, smoking. Smoking for him was a life exclamation point event. And that became a pathway for me to relapse. Yes, those old triggers to want to smoke returned in me. And suddenly, all the stinking thinking about believing that smoking could enhance pleasure, help with stress and help me relax, all returned. The stinking thinking belief that I had to resist the urge to smoke. On reflection, I realize that I was on the road to relapse long before I had that first cigarette with him. And once again, I was in fight or flight mode and thinking that I had to FIGHT the urge to smoke. All the psychological triggers to want to smoke had returned. I am almost three weeks into this quit and I am returning to a state of equilibrium. And I am finding that balance again because I am not smoking. When hubby comes home on Sunday, I will observe him on that smoking treadmill, thinking that he needs to smoke to cope with life events. I can walk with him in life, but I choose not to smoke with him. He may never quit smoking, but that is not about me. Those old psychological triggers to want to smoke when he is around will go away as long as I don't smoke again. I'm keeping the quit.

**********Leaving the City of Regret -repost********** Good morning, I found inspiriation in this post years ago when I had slipped. I won't go down this road again. Not one puff ever! *******From AngelLady on 2/10/2001 4:52:20 PM****** I had not really planned on taking a trip this time of year, and yet I found myself packing rather hurriedly. This trip was going to be unpleasant and I knew in advance that no real good would come of it. I'm talking about my annual "Guilt Trip." I got tickets to fly there on Wish I Had airlines. It was an extremely short flight. I got my baggage, which I could not check. I chose to carry it myself all the way. It was weighted down with a thousand memories of what might have been. No one greeted me as I entered the terminal to the Regret City International Airport. I say international because people from all over the world come to this dismal town. As I checked into the Last Resort Hotel, I noticed that they would be hosting the year's most important event, the Annual Pity Party. I wasn't going to miss that great social occasion. Many of the towns leading citizens would be there. First, there would be the Done family, you know, Should Have, Would Have and Could Have. Then came the I Had family. You probably know ol' Wish and his clan. Of course, the Opportunities would be present, Missed and Lost. The biggest family would be the Yesterday's. There are far too many of them to count, but each one would have a very sad story to share. Then Shattered Dreams would surely make an appearance. And It's Their Fault would regale us with stories (excuses) about how things had failed in his life, and each story would be loudly applauded by Don't Blame Me and I Couldn't Help It. Well, to make a long story short, I went to this depressing party knowing that there would be no real benefit in doing so. And, as usual, I became very depressed. But as I thought about all of the stories of failures brought back from the past, it occurred to me that all of this trip and subsequent "pity party" could be canceled by ME! I started to truly realize that I did not have to be there. I didn't have to be depressed. One thing kept going through my mind, I CAN'T CHANGE YESTERDAY, BUT I DO HAVE THE POWER TO MAKE TODAY A WONDERFUL DAY. I can be happy, joyous, fulfilled, encouraged, as well as encouraging. Knowing this, I left the City of Regret immediately and left no forwarding address. Am I sorry for mistakes I've made in the past? YES! But there is no physical way to undo them. So, if you're planning a trip back to the City of Regret, please cancel all your reservations now. Instead, take a trip to a place called, Starting Again. I liked it so much that I have now taken up permanent residence there. My neighbors, the I Forgive Myself and the New Starts are so very helpful. By the way, you don't have to carry around heavy baggage, because the load is lifted from your shoulders upon arrival. GOD BLESS you in finding this great place. If you can find it -- it's in your own heart -- please look me up. I live on I Can Do It Street.