). I smoked since I was 18. A "slow start" at 5-10 cigs a day for about one, two. Then up to 1-2 packs the rest of this time. I calculated that makes about 240,000 cigarettes smoked. For the first time in 24 years I have a smoke-free Christmas. Is it hard? Is it easy? Neither. It is just different. I have associated smoking with so many activities that it makes it so "off" to do all that without the cigarette in hand/mouth. I am learning still how to live my life without the cigarettes. I have moments of "urges". They are getting rare and they do pass with the smile. I have times when a smoke still seems would feel good - but I tought myself to talk myself out of those. I have little stinkin' thinking moments that "one won't hurt anything" - I have read enough stories to know that this is not an option. Not for the junkie that now I know I was/am. But most of the time now it is not hard to be a non-smoker. It is still a choice. It does not come natural at all times. And probably it will take a few trips around the sun to get there. 
