Thank you to Eyja, Ashley, Sparky, Lolly, and VIV for the acknowledgments.
Ashley, the one year mark was interesting. I teared up a few times that day, in a kind of bittersweet way. So glad that I quit. So glad to be alive. So sad that it took me so long to get around to doing it.
Everyone,
It makes me feel really good to know that anything I have written here has been helpful to someone out there. The truth is that I benefit a great deal from writing posts here. I figured out--kind of after I read the Freedom from Nicotine materials--that I was going to have to maintain that positive attitude that HotSiO2 frequently refers to. Writing responses to encourage others reinforces that attitude for myself. In effect, I have been writing my own pep talks when responding to others.
I also remember running out of pep talks for myself one night, and asking for others to give me some new words. Thankfully, HotSiO2 and breather came on with a list of arguments. So I guess I got to give them some review that night, too. I remember how mentally exhausted I was from coming up with all the arguments to NOT slip up at that point. It was so nice to have someone else do it for me at that moment. So I guess I do understand how the words of others can hep to fill us up again when we are empty.
The other benefit to posting has been to remind myself of certain lessons over and over. When I post a message to a newer quitter, it reminds me of what I was going through not too long ago. It reminds me of how hard it was at the very beginning and of why I don't want to go through that again.
And finally, just the sense that others are out there reading, that I am being "heard," has been quite helpful. I have noticed in the past year that I have a great need to be heard and understood by others. So even the silent participants on this board are helping just by reading/ listening.
Truly, everyone who participates on this board has helped me a great deal. I wish Happy Quits to all of you.
OUTSTANDING!!
Not only are you an accomplished quitter, you are also one heck of an author! Today is your day and I hope that you are going to enjoy a special reward, aside from your special one! You definitely deserve it!
