Post by judyb on Apr 2, 2009 11:47:34 GMT -5
As we pass through the stages of our quit, our individual threads become longer and usually
more complex. Our history as non-smokers grows with each passing second and hopefully with
the passage of time, we become more understanding of our existence and more appreciative of
our freedom from the chains of addiction.
Our individual threads create the history from which we all benefit. Why else would we be here?
Through our threads, we communicate our experiences, we voice our problems, we help one
another through difficult times. We rant, we rave, we complain, we advise, we soothe, we coach,
we do what we can to help one another.
However, regardless of how long we’ve been smober, we do have to log off the board and
continue our journey in life. That is, we must strive to live our lives without cigarettes.
Regardless of how long we’ve been quit, we have those moments of uncertainty. You know
which moments I’m referring to. Urges, cravings, thoughts. We have our individual demons to
confront and we usually have to face them on a daily basis. This takes determination,
perseverance, and stamina. Even though I’ve been off the butts for a while and by definition I
may be considered an oldbie, I do have to deal with the beast. I am after all an ex-addict. I
have my unique set of demons. It’s okay though because I use a very effective method in
keeping them at bay.
Like everyone else, my thread began by throwing out the cigarettes. I had my ups and downs
and the typical problems associated with quitting. It wasn’t much later that I had another
problem. The weight began to pile up so another thread began with an effort to begin eating
more sensibly. With this sequence of events and because I had tons of nervous energy, I started
yet another thread and began to exercise more intensively. I started riding a bike as a new
cardio activity. I’ve also begun other daily rituals that can be related to my life as a non-smoker.
They range from the very conspicuous to the subtle but are threads just the same. If you are
beginning to feel a little wobbly in your resolve or are even remotely beginning to lose sight of
your purpose, think about all the little threads you’ve created during your quit. These are the
threads that created the new you. These are the threads which account for your feeling so much
better, walking a little taller, having more confidence and preserving your dignity. If you get to
the point where you are contemplating lighting that cigarette, think again, it will destroy a lot
more than your quit-meter.
more complex. Our history as non-smokers grows with each passing second and hopefully with
the passage of time, we become more understanding of our existence and more appreciative of
our freedom from the chains of addiction.
Our individual threads create the history from which we all benefit. Why else would we be here?
Through our threads, we communicate our experiences, we voice our problems, we help one
another through difficult times. We rant, we rave, we complain, we advise, we soothe, we coach,
we do what we can to help one another.
However, regardless of how long we’ve been smober, we do have to log off the board and
continue our journey in life. That is, we must strive to live our lives without cigarettes.
Regardless of how long we’ve been quit, we have those moments of uncertainty. You know
which moments I’m referring to. Urges, cravings, thoughts. We have our individual demons to
confront and we usually have to face them on a daily basis. This takes determination,
perseverance, and stamina. Even though I’ve been off the butts for a while and by definition I
may be considered an oldbie, I do have to deal with the beast. I am after all an ex-addict. I
have my unique set of demons. It’s okay though because I use a very effective method in
keeping them at bay.
Like everyone else, my thread began by throwing out the cigarettes. I had my ups and downs
and the typical problems associated with quitting. It wasn’t much later that I had another
problem. The weight began to pile up so another thread began with an effort to begin eating
more sensibly. With this sequence of events and because I had tons of nervous energy, I started
yet another thread and began to exercise more intensively. I started riding a bike as a new
cardio activity. I’ve also begun other daily rituals that can be related to my life as a non-smoker.
They range from the very conspicuous to the subtle but are threads just the same. If you are
beginning to feel a little wobbly in your resolve or are even remotely beginning to lose sight of
your purpose, think about all the little threads you’ve created during your quit. These are the
threads that created the new you. These are the threads which account for your feeling so much
better, walking a little taller, having more confidence and preserving your dignity. If you get to
the point where you are contemplating lighting that cigarette, think again, it will destroy a lot
more than your quit-meter.