I hope I didn't give anyone the impression that I expected to do all the work and reap all the benefits in the next ten minutes. :)
It's going to be a process, and likely a very long process. Life long, I expect.
But I have some added perspective about just what has welded the addiction to my identity. It's not just a biochemical thing. it has served a purpose... I've used it as a tool to harm myself in many ways.
My grandmother used to tell me that I should never pick up that first cigarette because, amongst other things, it would stunt my growth. She was right. It has stunted my growth.
Fortunately, that doesn't have to be permanent. :)
Thanks, Jaz. "Empowering" is good. Growing up is good too. Heck, I was in the process of doing that even before I quit. It's been a life-long pursuit of mine. And unless I plateau out somewhere, I'll still be growing up the day I leave this orb. At least, I sure hope I will be.
Angellcapp, I like your attitude! "A day in hell?? Sure, and so what?" That's sometimes the price of admission. We don't get to see the goodies unless we pay the price. And it's not like smoking was a laugh-riot. Then we suffered to get progressively worse. Now we suffer to get well. That seems like a far better deal to me.
Changing, we'll become the beautiful butterflies we really always were. And you know... I don't think that's far from the truth. I think there's a certain joy of living that many of us have robbed ourselves of for a long, long time. I'm going to experience it. I hope we both will!
Casey, I read something the other day about embracing the cravings, rather than running from them. Embracing them and watching as they die in my embrace.
I love that. For me, I think it's the way to go.
[B]My Milage:[/B]
[B]My Quit Date: [/B] 3/6/2007
[B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 6
[B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 171
[B]Amount Saved:[/B] $55.5
[B]Life Gained:[/B]
[B]Days:[/B] 1 [B]Hrs:[/B] 2 [B]Mins:[/B] 45 [B]Seconds:[/B] 19
