Hi Phil,
Nice to see you mate. That is very true. Irony is that the very reason why I gave up is the reason why I would go back in an instant.
I do sometimes feel that I was forced to quit and that is very dangerous for a mind always looking for ways out.
If the change in law did not come about then I would 99.9% surely still be in my local happily smoking away and getting drunk.
Of course reminicing is a waste of energy and cannot change the past. I've done that to death anyway.
The JFDI approach means that I look to here and now and just get on with it without worrying (or at least I should do).
I am learning this approach slowly but surely. My first test actually did come this weekend as my mum wanted some chocolate buttons and asked me to pick some up from the local store. Actually this is a bit like asking a heroin addict to go back to his dealer to ask for some coffee.
Instead of worrying about it, I just went there with the impression 'well if I come out with a pack of smokes too then so be it, it just means that I have told myself to end my quit'
This may sound really really stupid that something so little should in the past cause so much sleepless nights and worrying. But me going into that shop on my own no matter the outcome is real progress to me.
As normal, I just got sidetracked with my own little story of life. Back to the point in hand...
As readers of these threads will know, wrong no smoking signs at bus stops drive me into a rage, the likes never seen before from this here placid and quiet Kev.
Unfortunately, one of my favourite things is to watch the news, as I like to find out what is going on in the real world. Barely a week goes by without some new ill-thought out initiative to combat the evils of smokers.
Smokers are bad for the health of others..lets move them to outside the pubs..smokers are waking the neighbours because they are too noisy outside..smokers are creating litter because outside there are no ash trays...fine smokers �50.
I have had to be physically held and calmed down by my dad as I suddenly get an overpowering urge to smoke and get up to go to the shops to buy a packet of cigarettes. Once I calm down I apologise to my dad.
Time is the healer of all things. If I manage not to screw it before christmas then I have a new experience in my memory. They say you have to experience 4 seasons before you get to the next level. I still cannot imagine a non-smoking christmas and that is why I get this way (a bit of self diagnosis). Ask me in January and things may be different.
Thats just my little rant for the day and I feel a lot better now.
Happy Monday every one.
HUGS from Kev
[B]My Milage:[/B]
[B]My Quit Date: [/B]7/12/2007
[B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 137
[B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 3,425
[B]Amount Saved:[/B] �575.40
[B]Life Gained:[/B]
[B]Days:[/B] 17 [B]Hrs:[/B] 3 [B]Mins:[/B] 47 [B]Seconds:[/B] 45