Zookie... I'm here! I went through a little "what's the use" bit of attitude a few weeks ago. Well this is what I came up with. I hope it helps you.
Regardless of my past, my anger, frustration, loneliness, failures and/or successes; I do not smoke. After many months, that is a fact of life for me. I make the choice not to smoke come what may. Some days I have a little trouble getting through certain situations. Today is one of those days but I know that cigarettes will not solve a thing for me.
While I have many regrets in life, one thing I do not regret is my decision to quit smoking and my success in accomplishing this mission thus far. I certainly understand those wanting to run back to the comfort zone where having a cigarette solved all of life�s problems at least temporarily. This way of thinking is no longer realistic for me. Those days are gone forever and just as we can never return to the past; I cannot return to smoking.
Life�s disappointments will be there whether we smoke or not. There are still lessons to be learned, loved ones will disappoint us, we will have frustrating times, and things are not going to be perfect.
Dealing with certain issues as a non-smoker has been difficult for me. Something I realize after a lot of thought today is that all of us have free choice and free agency. We all make our own decisions. I cannot control what others do and I cannot change the past. I am in control of my own actions and I am in control of how I deal with the present and my future. My attitude and my quit both belong to me. There is not one person anywhere that can take either away from me unless I allow them to.
So I now vow to you, my quit family, to continue to grow and develop as a non-smoker. I will learn to live life without the crutch and I will learn to be happy and successful in doing so. I have a lot of issues and fears to overcome. I know I will stumble along the way but when I do, I will pick myself up, put a smile on my face, and keep going. Just as I quit smoking, I will learn to live life and how to be happy one step at a time, one day at a time. So�chin up, best foot forward�..here we go.
I cannot change the past; but the future is waiting for me.
Get ready for some big Toyo
