So you folks came to SSC, and from that first moment... never again imagined the thought of smoking?
Bravo! Congratulations! :)
[B]My Milage:[/B]
[B]My Quit Date: [/B] 3/6/2007
[B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 68
[B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 1,702
[B]Amount Saved:[/B] $629
[B]Life Gained:[/B]
[B]Days:[/B] 11 [B]Hrs:[/B] 2 [B]Mins:[/B] 19 [B]Seconds:[/B] 26
The question attempts to determine if we have a realistic picture in our minds of what smoking actually offers us.
An addict, whether addicted to smoking, alcohol or heroin, has a strong tendency to attach positive (and false) images and feelings to their drug of choice. Even while the drug is killing them... as the craving increases, so usually does the tendancy to deny the real and horrendous effects of the drug.
So, what mental pictures do we carry with us of smoking? As we encounter cravings, do we counter those cravings with a 'real' perception of what cigarettes would do to us, or are we moved by the cravings to 'minimize' those effects? Do we hearken back to the "Ahhhh..." effects, the release... the reward? Or do we have a firm mental image of what a return to smoking would actually do to us? Have we really stepped beyond the denial that held us prisoner all these years?
And if not, is it helpful to make a conscious effort to supplant the false perceptions of nicotine (the addicts perceptions) with the true face of what is attempting to kill us.
Healer, I think this has practical value, and is worth consideration, especially for those who feel threatened by their cravings. Because I do believe we are what we think about... all day long.
And Healer, you do help me. You help me by staying smoke-free for today. We all help one-another by encouraging and offering support to each-other. Most of us are actively trying to overcome this addiction in our lives, and as we see others succeeding in that effort we are motivated to believe that we can succeed too.
You have as important a contribution to SSC as any one of us, and I value that.
[B]My Milage:[/B]
[B]My Quit Date: [/B] 3/6/2007
[B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 68
[B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 1,703
[B]Amount Saved:[/B] $629
[B]Life Gained:[/B]
[B]Days:[/B] 11 [B]Hrs:[/B] 2 [B]Mins:[/B] 30 [B]Seconds:[/B] 34
Yes, Happy Mother's Day to all the Mom's at SSC!!
Ya know, my mom quit smoking twenty years ago... and it may be the reason that she's still here for me to celebrate Mother's Day with.
Something to think about. For all of us! :)
[B]My Milage:[/B]
[B]My Quit Date: [/B] 3/6/2007
[B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 68
[B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 1,716
[B]Amount Saved:[/B] $629
[B]Life Gained:[/B]
[B]Days:[/B] 11 [B]Hrs:[/B] 4 [B]Mins:[/B] 24 [B]Seconds:[/B] 48
Jean, sometimes life really does suck!
But you're handling it well, and that's what makes the difference! :)
[B]My Milage:[/B]
[B]My Quit Date: [/B] 3/6/2007
[B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 68
[B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 1,716
[B]Amount Saved:[/B] $629
[B]Life Gained:[/B]
[B]Days:[/B] 11 [B]Hrs:[/B] 4 [B]Mins:[/B] 25 [B]Seconds:[/B] 6
Thanks to everyone for taking this discussion and making it provocative, informative and helpful.
Butterfly Swimmer, I do believe you're right; it does take all kinds. Some quitters clearly have different sensitivities and trouble areas than others, while having certain other challenges in common.
One of the things this serves to underline is the need for tolerance and understanding between one quitter and another. What is my experience of this addiction, and my experience of quitting... may be quite different than yours or someone else's... in some important respects.
It certainly would seem that people who are effected similiarly are in a better position to identify and offer insight to each-other, in some of these areas.
[B]My Milage:[/B]
[B]My Quit Date: [/B] 3/6/2007
[B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 68
[B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 1,721
[B]Amount Saved:[/B] $629
[B]Life Gained:[/B]
[B]Days:[/B] 11 [B]Hrs:[/B] 5 [B]Mins:[/B] 13 [B]Seconds:[/B] 15
Well, Lucy... I've never even seen you before and you're already on the boat! :) LOL
Welcome to the club! ;)
[B]My Milage:[/B]
[B]My Quit Date: [/B] 3/6/2007
[B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 47
[B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 1,191
[B]Amount Saved:[/B] $434.75
[B]Life Gained:[/B]
[B]Days:[/B] 7 [B]Hrs:[/B] 18 [B]Mins:[/B] 18 [B]Seconds:[/B] 12
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