Paul723

Good Job Sandy! Congratulations!

It just happened once; I know I gave you a helpful hint. The quote you are trying to remember Boo is, "You can't stop the waves, but you can learn to surf". I gave that advice to Tiffany, I'm not sure if she used it. It is a variation of Sarge's, "Embrace the suck". Quitters are trying to make a massive change to their lives and we naturally resist change, especially in the non-rational parts of our brain where nicotine resides. Learning to surf is working with change in a positive way. Now that you're married, you'll have plenty of surfing chances; just tell yourself, "Surf's up".

This has become one of my favorite days of the year. I am able to think back to the beginnings of my quit in perfect comfort now. Six years ago I was anything but comfortable; I kept repeating to myself that a crave can’t hurt you, it will pass. I was helped along by many that gave me good advice exactly when I most needed it. The shared experience of people all trying to accomplish the same thing helped me through the process of quitting. Everyone wants to succeed and everyone wants everyone to succeed. That is the collective strength of this forum. I remember after eight months thinking I’m done with smoking, it’s over and the sudden feeling of lightness it gave me to have the struggle fall away. Doreen calls this, “the magic”. I made an interesting discovery at work this past year and I am working towards another patent. I continue to find interesting sausages and cured meats to make. I cut into a country ham that I aged for 18 months then cut into a prosciutto style ham that aged 24 months, both delicious. My garden has done well this year despite the hap-hazard attention I give it. A friend of mine calls it a Darwinian experiment, survival of the fittest. Bread making continues to improve and I make it almost every week. Beer making seems to be a steady routine of a batch per month on average. Beer drinking on pace with beer making. The health center that I go to gave me a t-shirt that said, “Exercise is Medicine”, it was not lost on me that it was a XXL. I think they are hoping that I increase the dosage. Janet723 is also doing well despite some back problems and we are planning to go to England in the fall with our granddaughter.

A new kitten for catlover

This is thinking you need to be rid of.

Here's some reading for you Diane https://www.quittrain.com/topic/2747-your-first-days-nicotine-free/ Your body is trying to rid itself or a lot of toxins; it's going to take some time but the human body has an amazing ability to heal.

Celebrate in style! Congratulations!

Here is a great thread for you to read: https://www.quittrain.com/topic/10921-introsucktion/ I am impressed with the honesty and the ways she was able to overcome the things that have derailed many quits. In about a month, we'll be celebrating her first year of freedom.

Pip pip hooray! Six years of freedom!

Get ready for a big rainmaker Saz. Have a look in your freezer and eat what you can; hurricane cooking you once called it.

Attitude towards quitting can make it as hard or as easy as you'd like. There is some physical discomfort as your body frees itself of nicotine and the rest of the tars, yuck. This is to most the "hard" part. After that, there is a period of retraining yourself mentally. This can be hard or easy. You have to reach the point of accepting that you are never going to smoke again, you're done with it. All successful quitters get there in their own fashion and time. The NOPE pledge is a training tool in this.

I once thanked Nancy for "an act of simple human kindness". The great ones, the true artists, make everything look easy. Congratulations on six years Nancy!

Congratulations on your first year of freedom! Have a great celebration!

I learned a lot about having empathy for people and their struggles. I am more kind towards people, a good transferable skill useful in many parts of my life. At the same time, I learned to recognize junkie thinking and reasons for it. Also a good transferable skill that can keep me from having empathy for someone who doesn't deserve it.

I started reading everything to know what I was up against. Everything I felt or experienced was laid out and explained by those that had already quit; there is plenty of information (and support) online. An educated quit is a strong quit.

Empathy

One year ago you made a great decision! Congratulations on your first year of freedom! Can we throw colored powder all over you?

Helping others is a great way to strengthen your own quit. What you see in others clearly, like junkie thinking, will help you see it in yourself.

Congratulations on Three Years!

Health

Try saying that three times fast! Congratulations!

Bump! Good advice from Rain who is now past a decade!

Congratulations! The last two months will fly by.

Great job on six! You are the first of the summer 2013 quitters!

Just hopping along! Great Job Jillar!