As a group of people who have quit smoking (or are about to) please make a note of this.
You already have or may experience random people contacting you by telephone (we have a directory at work) or coming up to your office. They want to know how you quit smoking, they question you about many different things, they tell you it's so great and how they too want to quit. I felt great that three people asked me to support them and help out and when they were "ready" they would stop by and talk about their quit.
Well, this is the OTHER junkie, the one that belongs to someone else (we all have our own personal junkie!)the one that is THEM talking to you. After they tell you how they want to quit and will come by for help you -- They give you every "reason" why they should not quit "RIGHT NOW". "It's just not the right time". "I really don't smoke that much". "My partner smokes and it would really not work at all". "I am a healthy person". On and on they go. Sometimes they even use work as an excuse, "we have departmental job cuts happening right now", "I am SO overworked", etc. I just say, when you're ready we can talk then. I'll be here. You and I both know where that's going. These people are only kidding themselves - I see them outside smoking away and looking ashamed when they see me. How do I know?? Because I once felt the same way. Wanting to quit, but not sure how and when to get it going. I don't judge them, I just feel bad for them for not having the courage to at least TRY for one hour at a time not to smoke. I have offered my help in a sincere way, they have to want to do it for themselves.
I used to think it's not the right time. Then I realized ANY day would be a good day to quit smoking. There never was going to be a "right time". I am healthy too - don't I want to keep it that way? I have had five bosses and just as many job changes - even had my job eliminated in the past - smoking did not help that. We all have had the junkie whispering to us - he is still making appearances and making addicts miserable everywhere! It's just strange to get a glimpse of the junkie talking directly to you through someone else.
[B]My Milage:[/B]
[B]My Quit Date: [/B] 3/25/2006
[B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 183
[B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 3,11