Post by Ann on Dec 28, 2005 14:17:46 GMT -5
Quitting, the long road and the short cuts known to the locals
From timetoheal
Quitting smoking is such an adventure. Everyone's trip is very different and yet all of us experience so many of the same twists in the road, the potholes, and the out and out running off the road into a ditch or tree or wall. I have driven the quit road many times. I've learned where some of my potholes lie. I've also fallen for the same slippery black ice again and again. I've gone out and bought new tires. I've replaced my vehicle for a new stronger model with better safety features and on board "intelligence". I've followed maps drawn up by those who have found the quitting destination. I've followed maps which I am certain now were just lost pirate treasure, having no basis in reality.
There are fundamental truths about traveling the quitting road. The first one is that at times you can slip into neutral and glide. You can let yourself relax and take a ride. But there are other times when you must truly struggle. Uphill, it would seem your vehicle is simply in the wrong gear, huffing and puffing up a long arduous climb. The satisfaction of not stalling despite the energy it takes to make the pinnacle is unsurpassed.
Like a long road trip you find yourself restless at times. Wondering why it is you chose to drive in the first place. Wishing you could disembark and choose to fly seems so tempting. Or perhaps give up the journey and just stay here, no-where in a break from the bleary eyed, limb stiffening, mind numbing endless miles of roadway ahead. Or perhaps you could just stretch out for a moment with a relaxing or reinvigorating old friend. It would really "break up the trip". What that sign doesn't tell you however is that it actually sets you back, miles and miles. You must cover the same ground again.
The road offers many options. You can try different ways of getting there. You can read the signs. You can follow your instincts. You can try an old map that has failed you in the past, being outdated and proven to have misleading information. You can stop at every red light, use caution at every curve. You can break the rules of the road and even get sent to smokers' jail, an imprisonment which no appeal can speed. One's only escape from that fate is to find complete remorse and stick with the laws laid out by quitters everywhere. When it comes to quitting with the smoking addicts the law is very clear-to arrive at the destination of having quit one must not smoke.
In the process of the drive many of us have met with fender benders. We've perfected our abilities as drivers. We've taken wrong turns and ignored bad weather despite forknowledge of what that weather might mean to the driving conditions. We've driven through snow drifts, fog and even off-road. We've broken down. We've had no energy to get our vehicles back on the road. We've driven junkers and luxury vehicles. We've coasted on what we thought was smooth highway. We've negotiated the windiest of mountainous terrain.
What will the successful driver tell you as to the quickest way to get there? No shortcuts. Simple. Keep your eyes on the road, your hands upon the wheel. Do not attempt to get off the road or travel where you have already been. Learn from the miles behind you. There are many ways to get to the successful quit, you must choose your own path. There is little to be gained by stepping out onto the hot tarry road of slippsville. The clearest road is the road which does not include even one puff of the evil exhaust.
You have chosen to leave the old comforts of your previous smoking world. Best of luck on your travels to quittsville. Beware the hitchhikers bearing smokes but don't hesitate to help the broken down travelers who genuinely need your guidance. I'll see you on the road. Someday I hope that we may all look back upon the long road as trip well worth the difficult journey.
found on QuitNet
From timetoheal
Quitting smoking is such an adventure. Everyone's trip is very different and yet all of us experience so many of the same twists in the road, the potholes, and the out and out running off the road into a ditch or tree or wall. I have driven the quit road many times. I've learned where some of my potholes lie. I've also fallen for the same slippery black ice again and again. I've gone out and bought new tires. I've replaced my vehicle for a new stronger model with better safety features and on board "intelligence". I've followed maps drawn up by those who have found the quitting destination. I've followed maps which I am certain now were just lost pirate treasure, having no basis in reality.
There are fundamental truths about traveling the quitting road. The first one is that at times you can slip into neutral and glide. You can let yourself relax and take a ride. But there are other times when you must truly struggle. Uphill, it would seem your vehicle is simply in the wrong gear, huffing and puffing up a long arduous climb. The satisfaction of not stalling despite the energy it takes to make the pinnacle is unsurpassed.
Like a long road trip you find yourself restless at times. Wondering why it is you chose to drive in the first place. Wishing you could disembark and choose to fly seems so tempting. Or perhaps give up the journey and just stay here, no-where in a break from the bleary eyed, limb stiffening, mind numbing endless miles of roadway ahead. Or perhaps you could just stretch out for a moment with a relaxing or reinvigorating old friend. It would really "break up the trip". What that sign doesn't tell you however is that it actually sets you back, miles and miles. You must cover the same ground again.
The road offers many options. You can try different ways of getting there. You can read the signs. You can follow your instincts. You can try an old map that has failed you in the past, being outdated and proven to have misleading information. You can stop at every red light, use caution at every curve. You can break the rules of the road and even get sent to smokers' jail, an imprisonment which no appeal can speed. One's only escape from that fate is to find complete remorse and stick with the laws laid out by quitters everywhere. When it comes to quitting with the smoking addicts the law is very clear-to arrive at the destination of having quit one must not smoke.
In the process of the drive many of us have met with fender benders. We've perfected our abilities as drivers. We've taken wrong turns and ignored bad weather despite forknowledge of what that weather might mean to the driving conditions. We've driven through snow drifts, fog and even off-road. We've broken down. We've had no energy to get our vehicles back on the road. We've driven junkers and luxury vehicles. We've coasted on what we thought was smooth highway. We've negotiated the windiest of mountainous terrain.
What will the successful driver tell you as to the quickest way to get there? No shortcuts. Simple. Keep your eyes on the road, your hands upon the wheel. Do not attempt to get off the road or travel where you have already been. Learn from the miles behind you. There are many ways to get to the successful quit, you must choose your own path. There is little to be gained by stepping out onto the hot tarry road of slippsville. The clearest road is the road which does not include even one puff of the evil exhaust.
You have chosen to leave the old comforts of your previous smoking world. Best of luck on your travels to quittsville. Beware the hitchhikers bearing smokes but don't hesitate to help the broken down travelers who genuinely need your guidance. I'll see you on the road. Someday I hope that we may all look back upon the long road as trip well worth the difficult journey.
found on QuitNet