These are troubling times. I don't have to listen to the endless litany of bad economic news streaming across our media mad air waves to know this. Fear and uncertainty are written on the face of every working person I encounter. No need for further analysis, the message is clear.
And so we cessation seekers must be aware of this and must hold tighter to our vow to rid our lives of the addiction cycle. Fear and consternation are the seeds of excuse, and as addicts, we know that excuses to journey from the path of liberation are tempting harbors of relief from the cessation struggle. But once we allow ourselves to give in to the fear and "have just one" to ease our minds, the downward slope quickens to a steep angle and once again we will ride the merry-go-round that never stops.
In light of the seeming economic chaos that has appeared on our door steps, I would urge you to remember that even if you are unable to make a deposit in your local bank, you can always make a deposit in your own life bank. When we smoked, when we allowed our addictive behavior to dictate the course of our way, we withdrew life from ourselves at an astounding rate. I smoked so much that my wee body should have been subject to foreclosure years ago.
Just remember that every time you face the addiction straight on and choose not to pollute your body with a cigarette, you are actually making a deposit into your life bank. Every time our minds wander to thoughts of possible layoffs or hours cut or overdue bills, and we meet these ominous thoughts with a drag, we are making additional withdrawals from our life bank. We are in fact increasing our poverty instead of enhancing the bottom line.
"Time is money" is a particularly American concept. Time spent not smoking is also a currency of sorts. The time spent not smoking is equivalent to interest earned on your life bank account. It adds up as we move through our lives sans cigarettes.
You may not receive a statement that attests to the increased value of your account, but you know that your net worth has increased mightily when you can run with your kids, climb stairs effortlessly or just simply breath better.
So as we move through this crisis, be assured that as with all things "this too shall pass". There are many worrys, there are many furrowed brows and strained faces, but we do not have to add to the trouble by causing lesions to appear on our lungs. And you can take that to the bank.
stay well
nonic
My Milage:My Quit Date: 12/25/2006
Smoke-Free Days: 810
Cigarettes Not Smoked: 24,300
Amount Saved: $8,505.00
Life Gained:Days: 154
Hrs: 15
Mins: 19
Seconds: 5
