Paul723

You've trained yourself to smoke for years; now you are training yourself to be a non-smoker. It will take some time to do this but it will take less time than you think. Pamper yourself a little, this is the most important time.

"I'm an addict" This is the most important realization you can have and one of the hardest for many. The first time I typed this my hands were shaking. Then I also typed, "I can't have just one". This is the rule of addiction. Take this inside and know it to be true. We will help you put your addiction asleep; it will never be dead but you will learn how to not wake it. It does not make you less of a person, we all made the same mistake. We understand it better than others and will celebrate your victories and we want you to overcome.

A craving can't hurt you. They pass on their own in about 30 seconds, like a wave. Your body will dump adrenaline in your system to make it seem like it's important, it's not.

Dismiss the thoughts by telling yourself, "Smoking is not an option". Do this as soon as the idea enters your mind; don't give it any time or mental space. Do something else, think something else. Go for a walk. The nicotine is out of your system and your body is just beginning to heal itself. Get rid of the ones you have, you're done with them. They will kill you, they don't care.

The last of the Summer 13 quitters!

NOPE

FIVE Your life has changed in so many wonderful ways these past years.

4 Just for Doreen

As some will remember, when Doreen first joined the forum she was not the picture posting expert she is now. Nancy came to her rescue and gave Doreen her first avatar / profile picture, that of a beautiful blue butterfly. I still think of her that way. It was an inspired choice. The butterfly effect is the concept that small causes can have large effects. A tiny change in initial conditions will produce a different outcome. This is especially true for non-linear systems such as life. I’m fairly certain that this was Nancy’s thinking. Famously this effect is seen in weather forecast models. The motion of butterfly wings can change the direction of a tornado. Not taking one puff (how small a thing is a puff) changed the direction of Doreen’s life - the butterfly effect. Happy four years Doreen!

JUMP !

Great job! Congratulations!

-13

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Happy Birthday Mel !

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Another great summer quitter!

Fantastic isn't it?

Thanks everyone! Hooray for me! And also for Janet723! Time flies when you’re having fun, even more so when you’re not killing it by smoking, waiting and planning to smoking, looking for a place to smoke, checking your inventory of cigarettes and finding your lighter. What a total waste smoking is and was. My health is good (could still stand to lose some pounds). New from last year, I now have a cell phone and have used it several times, twice even as a phone. MQ will be happy that I’ve given up instant coffee and now use a Keurig with a re-fillable cup. I am getting better at making bread which pleases my frugal self since homemade bread costs only $ 0.70 to make. Steady practice is the key to steady improvement. Quitting smoking works the same way. I have gotten a hog (scalded and split) and butchered it up into pieces. I have two hams salted (~ 50 #) and they hopefully will be ready in 16 months. Doreen will be pleased to know that my sausage making abilities continue to improve. The garden gave me lots of lettuce this spring and is giving me lots of green beans currently. I would encourage those new in their quits to participate in this forum as much as you can; the more you give, the more you will get in return.

Bourbon

FANTASTIC FIVE ! Well done Babs609!

Dear Tracey, You and your family have my deepest sympathy. May your Mother rest in peace. I’m grateful every day that I am free from smoking and I’m grateful that you (and the other train riders) are too.

4 EVER Well done Nancy! You are a true friend and leader.

SoberJulie wrote this: You don't have to be #1 at anything today. You don't have to figure things out, or understand, or make sure everyone (or Someone) understands you. You don't have to remember everything, or get all organized and start making lists. You don't have to solve every -- or any -- problem you have today (or solve someone else's problems today either). You don't have to figure out what will make you happy, or what you should do with your life. Those are good things to do of course, and come with a measure of reward or satisfaction or comfort. That's very true. I'm not saying those things are completely unimportant. But you don't have to do any of those things today. All you have to do today is not pick up that first cigarette. One hour at a time. One five minutes at a time. Until your head hits the pillow. And if you do that, you win. That's it. And the rest of that s*** will just have to work itself out or wait its turn. Smoke free first. The rest second.

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