Sonofagun. We did it. Congrats, Changing, MomMom, all of you guys. Like Changing said, the days don't matter so much anymore...I hardly ever think about smoking these days. And I have to say that my life is utterly, drastically, and amazingly changed. I am almost a new man.
I discovered that, free from the influence of the drug that has posessed me for most of my life, my personality has undergone an extraordinary transformation. I am no longer the depressed and angry man I was under the influence. In fact, I hardly even recognize that man as the person I used to be.
Physically, I have lost weight and put on muscle. I am only 10 pounds heavier than I was 32 years ago. I am fit and on my way to being ripped, and middle-aged to boot.
Like I said, I only rarely think about smoking anymore, and the one time in the past 3 months that I really even remembered what it was like to have a smoke, I started laughing because it was so stupidly funny. I did what? And I LIKED it?
I don't worry anymore what I would have to say to my kids if they suddenly found out that they were going to have to finish growing up without me because I was a stupid, fool addict. I'm still an addict, and always will be. But there will never be another cigarette again in my life.
I just want to say this to everyone on this board. Listen: Don't give up, don't give an INCH!! This is the most important thing you will do in your life, right here, right now. And it will be the greatest thing you do in your life. I know it sucks, I've been where you are -- but just hold on tight to the one and only thing that counts, and that is YOUR QUIT. Hold onto it like it was life itself, because it is.
And it will get better. I'm here to tell you that, back from the grave that I was digging for myself and that you were too, until yesterday, or last week, or last month. Just get through this one next minute. Then the next. And the next. Keep saying NO! And eventually -- I promise you, this is true -- your no gets stronger, and your craves get weaker, until the no just completely blocks out the crave. And then it's gone.
And the freedom here on the other side -- oh, I can't wait for you to see it. The air is clean, so clean, and it smells so good! And you can hug yourself and love yourself for who you are and what you've done. And you never have to slink away, hide behind a building, be ashamed in front of your family and friends -- you don't have to do that ever, ever again.
On this side of the addiction there is freedom like you can't even imagine. I'm wishing the best for every single one of you. I'm looking forward to seeing you here soon.
OK, sermon is over. I'll check back a couple of times this month to see how my quit buddies have been doing, and then I'll be gone from here for good.
Oh, yeah. One other thing. Thank you MomMom, from the bottom of my heart. You -- literally -- saved my life that night. Without you, I would have gone back to smoking.
Godspeed to you all.
Legend
[B]My Milage:[/B]
[B]My Quit Date: [/B]2/25/2007
[B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 342
[B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 2,052
[B]Amount Saved:[/B] $427.50
[B]Life Gained:[/B]
[B]Days:[/B] 55 [B]Hrs:[/B] 1 [B]Mins:[/B] 42 [B]Seconds:[/B] 16
