Good morning Golferman Joe: Red Rosie asked me the same thing. I have read all the books authored by a Mr. Harlan Coben. If you really want edge of your seat, amazine roller coaster ride of a book that you're actually SAD when it's over, pick one up - I personally recommended "Tell No One" and "No Second Chance" as my favorites. I love to share favorite authors with others and have made some new, good pals doing so. Thanks for your post, I enjoy hearing the insight/mental aspects of the quit rather than the physical. It's the mental part that stays with you til you take your last breath. And on that note, hope my last breath will be taken as a content non-smoker. CobenFan (Christine M) [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B] 3/25/2006 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 29 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 499 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] $101.5 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 2 [B]Hrs:[/B] 17 [B]Mins:[/B] 18 [B]Seconds:[/B] 24

"Aim for success, not perfection. Never give up your right to be wrong, because then you will lose the ability to learn new things and move forward with your life." Unknown Dear All: I got nothing but respect for all of you and that will carry us through the time we are together however long it may be. All thoughts, feelings and words included - however they are expressed. I'm proud to share this experience with all of you. CobenFan (Christine M) [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B] 3/25/2006 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 29 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 501 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] $101.5 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 2 [B]Hrs:[/B] 17 [B]Mins:[/B] 25 [B]Seconds:[/B] 24

Golferman Joe, Lady: I appreciate what you have to say as your wisdom is abundant. If you felt accused, it was not meant to be interpreted that way. Just stating what's on my mind. I see what you and Lady do, the day I came to the SSC I only had 3 replies, mostly from new people. I have not struggled like many here, because I want this more than anything and am hell bent to succeed. As far as what Lady said, who by the way if you do the math has posted every day of her quit at least 12 times!!! (INCREDIBLE)While most importantly I am working on protecting my own quit, I enjoy trying to help others - that's how I make my quit better. Will I pay it forward??? I feel I'm on my way as I already have convinced two people that I know personally to quit. Being a "cheerleader" is just in my system. In my short amount of time here I have posted quite a bit in the hope too that I have helped out somehow. I have read many people who personally thank Joe, Lady & Duffis. That is AWESOME, that has to give you all some extra sense of accomplishment and make you feel Great! Here at the SSC, so many new people do gain from your bricks of experience becasuse of your long journey they build strength on their own quits with it. Upperclassmen, think about those you helped, not the ones who could not help themselves. You are putting yourself out there everyday. I take what I need from here, I have opinions just like all of us do, and while I have not really had posts (until now) from any of you, I always read discussions that all of you are in on for what I will learn, insights that only a person far into their quit will know and how to laugh a lot too. SO, Thanks for talking and giving, but most importantly, listening. Hangin in Not Givin In, Coben Fan (Christine M) :) [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B] 3/25/2006 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 29 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 499 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] $101.5 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 2 [B]Hrs:[/B] 17 [B]Mins:[/B] 14 [B]Seconds:[/B] 12

Dear All: To quote a portion of Golferman's post "Can our maturity in life be connected with our quits"? MATURITY has nothing to do with SUCCESS. Strong will and determination make for a person who makes things happen in their own lives. Some people just need to mature before they possess the skills of will and determinattion. That's kinda like saying age and experience makes you more successful. Not buying that. While I realize that the folks with over 300 days are a little more righteous than the new kids on the block, please don't feel like you are wasting your time on us, because so many read your EVERY word. Duffis, you're right, good Intensions are not enough, Attitude is 90%. But being PROUD is more admirtable than being POMPOUS. Yep - Rob & I may not be around in 9 months but why go there???? Maybe a lot of upperclassmen thought the same about you when you first arrived at SSC. Give us a chance. :| [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B] 3/25/2006 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 28 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 490 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] $98 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 2 [B]Hrs:[/B] 16 [B]Mins:[/B] 3 [B]Seconds:[/B] 29

Hi Lady, thanks for your words and understanding. This emotional discoeries are painful - and I feel this pain everywhere, it is a very basic experience. It has a further consequence that I do not want to live at the same way how I lived earlier. (Although from the outside there is no much difference, I suppose.) That there is a change is going on. It is exciting, frightening at the same time - asks a lot of openess and conscioussness at the same time. The question is - do I have enough energy to be on this path? Enfin. I am still he not able to use the messenger. It is on my screan, but I cannot make connection. Any advice? This means as well, that I was not in the position the choice a buddy. All the best. Parola [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B] 3/28/2006 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 30 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 604 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] $195 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 3 [B]Hrs:[/B] 4 [B]Mins:[/B] 47 [B]Seconds:[/B] 37

Golferman, the question maturity and being able to stop smoking are certainly connected in my case. I can imagine that there are simply habitual smokers, who can easily take a decision, use their willpower, because they have it:) and forget about smoking quite easily probably in a few months. i have seen such people around me. In this journey of quitting I experience very new facts about myself. I am forced to realize, that I - the strong women - what people used to say - I just have no willpower at all, I have to undergo the humiliation of days crying - not only of craving, but emotional "discoveries". Quite unpleasent I have to tell you. To discover what was the reason behind my smoking. Smoking covered in my case some very difficult emotional issues - which I was partly not aware of it - and partly not able to face it. It had a function. Just like any other real addiction. Maturity I suppose in this case is not connected to age or prestige, experience, or being respected etc. You can be outwardly a very respected member of your society or community and still not mature psychologically. Some smokers are not mature. (knowing themselves well enough and come on terms with it - and covering it or hiding it by other means.) I have the feeling that most of the real addicted smokers are not mature. They can probably run for a while on willpower - but there is something under, which was behind the addiction. There has to be taken care about that as well. Just willpower is not enough - as it is toooooo much effort and tension on the long run. Some people coming and going here - and they are not managing it (yet). But I remember, I tried to quit many times the last years, never lasted more than a few days, quite unsuccesfull - but - I learned (about) my addiction. Probably they will do it as well. There is certainly some maturity is needed for quitting - at least being able to accept - that you will be very, very surprised. (I think a mature person does not have the idea the he/she can controll everything.) And I also think - that during this process a lot of maturity is gained. Through a lot of suffering. :) I was happy if I could be safed from this process - but this is it for me - quite hurtful, learning. I suppose there are

Rusty- thank you for that. There is nothing I could have said to add anything to this thread (and with my irreverant sense of humor; many here can probably be grateful for that!) that would have hit the heart of the matter for me than these two people in your life; and the question of who is and who is not mature in our on-line imaginations! Thank You! ;) [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B] 2/18/2006 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 64 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 2,582 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] $576 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 10 [B]Hrs:[/B] 14 [B]Mins:[/B] 33 [B]Seconds:[/B] 45

God help us all if that happens!!! :)

Interesting..... I don't know why I'm reminded of an old Star Trek episode where a couple of brains enclosed in glass are discussing the frailties of humans.... LOL; don't get too full of yourselves, boys! I wonder what I'll be like 9 or 10 months from now! :eg: [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B] 2/18/2006 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 63 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 2,548 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] $567 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 10 [B]Hrs:[/B] 11 [B]Mins:[/B] 21 [B]Seconds:[/B] 18

Well, well well. Don't worry, I won't sue and Judge Judy isn't interested in this anyway! Just having a bit of fun at what I see in the scenerio of the on-line support thing, which apparently wasn't well taken. But fear not, statistically my chances of being here in 9 months are, in fact, horrendous. You are quite right about that. Still, struggling as I might, I will try to maintain this quit. :8o: And if and when I mature in that time, Lady, it will be interesting to see what I have to say...then. :) [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B] 2/18/2006 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 63 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 2,557 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] $567 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 10 [B]Hrs:[/B] 12 [B]Mins:[/B] 3 [B]Seconds:[/B] 38