Congratulations nonic on your 2nd Hall of Fame Award and well deserved recognition! Your finely tuned and extremely thoughtful posts are melodic and thought provoking; sometimes poignant and yet life affirming all at the same time. All that you have contributed to so many members here at SSC is invaluable. I find myself re-reading your posts to understand the nuances of your philosophy that drives much deeper than the act of lighting up a cigarette - or choosing not to - and the huge value of what it means to finally overcome our addictions and begin to live life more honestly. I appreciate the time you take to share your author's gift and am glad you have received this 2nd honor.
Thank you...Oh, I know I do bang on about things sometimes. But I think that smoking and addiction as a whole is merely a symptom of a much deeper malady. That is why I tend to write about the things that I believe lie behind addictive practices.
We live in a world that is magical and morose at the same time. There is a huge amount of sadness, despair, violence and over all loneliness. There is something missing. And it cannot be found in the buzz of a nicotine rush or the deep mellow of downers or the electric high of cocaine or any other physical substance. These are all substitutes for the filling of that deep longing that exists in the hearts of all human creatures.
There is something missing...The reason that we have that sense (not all people do) is that we are born with a heart for the eternal. We are mortal creatures who are born and die, but yet we have this sense of the eternal and because it is a thing perceived dimly, we are left with a feeling of futility regarding the mortal life that we perceive 20/20. That is the basis of the great debate among people of the 21st century. Science and math and measuring of all kinds have become our yard stick of reality. But the eternal will always lie beyond (and behind) any scientific method we may presume to be the final authority of the things of this world.
I have the notion that the great secret is to be found in that heart for the eternal. If we sense it, then we must follow it, because eventually, I believe, it will bring us home...
All that I can do is second all the kind words here. Your posts are thoughtful and often address issues well beyond quitting smoking. They serve as a guiding light for many of us who are working towards being well beyond smoking someday.
Thank you for your good words. This site has been a wonderful joy and aid to me through out my journey to cessation. The nature of the addiction has never been a simple thing for me. And I believe that my experience is not unique. We all know that we want to turn away from it, but doing so sometimes makes us realize how much we have depended upon it. And that is what frightens me most about smoking.
If we are awake at all, we must admit that we live in a world that reeks of fear, rage, violence and sadness. But knowing that should not bring us to despair. No, it should speed us onward to seek a higher ground and we can only do that from within ourselves. This is one of the lessons that I have learned from finding my own freedom from addiction.
What ever light there is in this world comes from inside of ourselves. And just as the sun can only see itself from its light reflecting back from the moon, so too do we see the goodness in ourselves when we see the light of goodness in other people. I have found much luminosity in many of the souls I have met here. And for that I am very grateful...
Congratulations, Nonic on a well-deserved commendation from the SSC! Whenever I see that you have posted something I cannot wait to read it. Not only do your posts shed the bright light of understanding on areas or actions that are sometimes hard to understand, but I also feel that I can sit back with a cup of coffee and enjoy your words as if I am reading a book. Thank you and well done!
Thank you for all your kind thoughts. This site has been a god send for me. When I began I just kind of stumbled upon it. I knew I needed help but I did not know where to find it. Thankfully, the kind souls who resided here prior to my appearance welcomed me in. The folks I first met here where extremely committed and willing to offer any help that they could. Mostly they told me their stories and I found that to be most useful.
Thank you so much...You too have been around a very long time and you should be congratulated for the help you have provided for many a soul passing through this portal. I know that you worked hard to get clear of the addiction and it was not always easy for you. In particular I recall that the work environment was very difficult for you to master, but you did. And there are many people here who are better off because you fought through that one...
Thank you so much...I have seen many of your responses to people in need and have always found them to be on point and well done. I know you have helped many people along the way and that is what it is all about...
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