Quit Meter
$44,377.50
Amount Saved
Quit Meter
Days: 1062 Hours: 4
Minutes: 37 Seconds: 37
Life Gained
Quit Meter
5917
Smoke Free Days
Quit Meter
177,510
Cigarettes Not Smoked
The other day the sun was shining brightly and I had occasion to notice the photographic negative that the light made of my image. This was of course my shadow. I was at this for quite some time (a rare day of inactivity can be dangerous for me). As the sun gradually receded, of course, my shadow increased proportionally until at the sun's waning, it became very long indeed. This is no doubt an observation any child would make, but I find simple things tend to spur more complex images in my world weary mind and periodically, like any child, I like to go to recess once again...
This exercise reminded me that as we age and walk closer and closer to the ever-receding light of our ultimate end of time on the planet, we do indeed create a shadow behind us. This shadow, however, is not as obvious as the one that the sun provides, but in many ways is far more lasting in its effect. The shadow I am referring to is the one that each of us leaves behind over years of interactivity with other human beings, our playground playmates if you will.
Some people of great import such as politicians and the like think of this as their legacy and build libraries and other monuments to solidify their shadows in the world that will exist after they are gone. But I would contend that each of us simpler folks also project shadows of influence upon those that we encounter during our time on the planet. Our shadows affect others in many ways. All living things and perhaps all of life is a contiguous motif of many threads.
I am a firm believer in the notion that anyone wishing to reach cessation must do it for himself or herself alone. Breaking the cycle of addiction is a very personal act that cannot be done for or by another. It must be ours alone to achieve. But as a single thread in the quilt of existence the act of quitting does have an effect on many of the other stitches and hems that make up the sum of our world. For instance by following this path, you may well be influencing a son, daughter or other loved one not to ever begin smoking in the first place. They may never tell you this, and in fact may not realize that your struggle has even impacted their lives. But on some level it will. That alone is a reason to continue the struggle. By ending your reliance on cigarettes, you are also protecting the well being of all who live within your home. Beloved pets can be affected by smoking and through your struggle you are enabling them to more fully experience their lives as well. The resources you would have applied to your addiction can now be put to more worthy purposes of your choosing. You have more time to do other things than smoke that may have beneficial results for yourself and others. The list of things that can be made manifest in your life through quitting is as endless as the complexity of the world in which live. The point is that the struggle is worth the effort and becoming successful in your quest will be more meaningful than you will ever know.
Quit Meter
$66,706.50
Amount Saved
Quit Meter
Days: 1376 Hours: 11
Minutes: 46 Seconds: 36
Life Gained
Quit Meter
6353
Smoke Free Days
Quit Meter
190,590
Cigarettes Not Smoked
