Hello 2s2s, Thanks for your kind words. Just so you know, not many like to see others succeed. Its human nature. Especially if they are are trying to succeed at the same thing. But that shouldnt matter, no need to get angry. You just need to be the bigger person. For many years I was shunted by the ones that didnt smoke, didnt bother me in the least. If they couldnt take me for who I am/was, then they probably wouldnt be worth much to me anyway. As I move forward with my new outlook on life, I hope I dont shunt people who smoke, in fact, I know I wont. I cant be like that. And if people try to ruin your quit, do what I did, just smile and say, " sorry, it wont work" lol. And as soon as they turn there back, flip them the bird! lol Good luck, you will succeed and you will be happy. Just have faith! Jim

Perhaps this may be premature, perhaps not! In any case, due to the success of my quit, I can honestly and comfortably call my self a non-smoker. For the past 28 years I have sucked on theses disgusting things, the addiction is just that, yet, it�s an addiction that I believe will never totally go away. It gets better, but it will never totally leave my brain. I put it there and it wont leave because I told it to. That's ok, I have a great handle on it though, I sincerely believe that I have beaten its grip, beat it to where I can manage it and control it. I am finally free, free to breath, to run, to live my life without being attached to this horrible, lifeless piece of garbage! I am confident that I will never let it stand between me and my ways of thinking nor my ways of living. I will never again let it control my life!! Never again will it stand between me and my children, no more will I put my family in jeopardy from second hand smoke. It was a hard quit, I can not deny that. I suffered from its claws, the ones that wanted to pull me back in. I never let it get the best of me though; I fought a hard fight and I WON, for now and for ever! I have re-adjusted some of my life style to include, limiting my trigger points, keeping a positive attitude and walking away from situations I can�t change! Thus, I don�t smoke to satisfy my stress! I Don�t smoke when I get pissed off. Along the way, people tried to shoot my quit down, surprisingly, by people that I trusted and thought highly of, colleagues if you will. I got words from one person who said, �Jim, you will never last out the week� One person tried handing me a cig every time he saw me. But I hung in there, never once did I fall to there temptation. I will remember these people, I will indeed. For when they try to quit there addiction, I will help them in any way I can. I will give them support. I will help them with there craving, I will see to it that they do not falter. And should they fall, I will not pick them up; instead, I will catch them before they hit the ground like so many of you did for me! So, to all of you who helped me win back my life, who made me see that I have a choice, who cared when others didn�t, who supported me through words of wisdom, words of kindness, words of la

2STS.. I have no idea but I know exactly what you mean. I told a smoking friend of mine I was quitting and he said "suuure you are". This morning my mother came over to look at the ads for black friday, she asked me if she should smoke outside then said ah you doing alright and started puffing away.. then had the nerve to tell me I was cranky and she was going home. KTQ... Nicodemon [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B] 11/20/2006 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 3 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 110 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] $10.2 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 0 [B]Hrs:[/B] 10 [B]Mins:[/B] 51 [B]Seconds:[/B] 23

Jim, Sounds like you are right on track with a positive attitude and feeling very good! Happy for you :) Have a super Thanksgiving! Monica58 [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B] 10/31/2006 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 23 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 473 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] $207 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 2 [B]Hrs:[/B] 13 [B]Mins:[/B] 58 [B]Seconds:[/B] 41

Jaset, Good for you, hell week is the worst and it sounds like you have enough resolve to beat this thing. Just wanted to make a comment on something you said, I have tried only once before to quit, so it is not like I am a serial quitter, but this time around when I told people I was quitting I was surprised, and appalled, at the reactions I got. My Dad smokes cigars and every time I go to visit him he asks me to go for a smoke with him!! My best friend is a smoker and we went out last Friday, unfortunately bars are still smoking here, until Jan, and she lit up a smoke and blew it RIGHT IN MY FACE. Then when I reminded her that I had quit she said "hmmm, wondered why you weren't lighting u" needless to say I was slightly disturbed by this. What is the problem with the relationship between smokers and ex smokers, sometimes I swear they don't want us to quit and try to sabotage our quit! Like it's not hard enough fighting our own nicodemons, now we have to fight theirs! Frustrating... Any thoughts? K [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B] 10/9/2006 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 45 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 365 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] $155.25 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 2 [B]Hrs:[/B] 23 [B]Mins:[/B] 8 [B]Seconds:[/B] 47

Thanks for sharing, Jim. Very much appreciated! When I started this fifth quit, one of my favorite mantras which I keep on saying to myself: I WON'T SMOKE NO MATTER WHAT! Yeah, I have had - and still having - many terrible moments of withdrawal (both physical & mental), but I'm willing to endure! :) Cheers, nmc [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B] 8/25/2006 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 90 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 909 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] $450 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 16 [B]Hrs:[/B] 21 [B]Mins:[/B] 14 [B]Seconds:[/B] 10

Jaset, I'm proud of you!! YOu made it almost through hell week my friend!! Keep it up and you are doing wonderful Hugs KIm [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B] 6/7/2006 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 169 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 4,241 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] $684.45 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 14 [B]Hrs:[/B] 22 [B]Mins:[/B] 46 [B]Seconds:[/B] 16

Hi Jim, Congratulations on the quit - one thing that has kept me determined to stay quit and committed are the memories of the first ten days of the 'quit'. I don't think I could go through that experience ever again, the withdrawl symptoms were pretty awful and I'm so grateful to my friends and family for the support they gave me. Memories of hell week is the sure shot way to keep on the straight and narrow!!!! Keep at it - it only gets better!! Sharmila [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B] 8/2/2006 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 115 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 1,614 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] $230 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 12 [B]Hrs:[/B] 23 [B]Mins:[/B] 21 [B]Seconds:[/B] 43

Thank you for the wonderful insight Jim. Know that we are always here for support and knowledge and we can be of great assistance through the remainder of your quit. Continue to prepare yourself for the rest of the journey and continue the wonderful support you have shown everyone. Keep Strong, Josie ______________________ The SSC Support Team.