|
Post by Flo on Sept 23, 2006 14:54:39 GMT -5
Wow. What a great article. So clear in exposing the nature of nicotine addiction. Thank you Ann, you have again fortified my quit. I never want to go back to the Hell.
|
|
|
Post by Flo on Sept 6, 2006 15:15:43 GMT -5
Hi everyone! I've started my new job. Yesterday was a whirlwind. Today, same. I love it.
I'm back in the situation where I usually smoked so I was a bit anxious but it's ok. I love being smoke free. It will be four months come Sep 18th. Cool huh?
Have a great week everyone.
p.s. I miss hanging out on this site but it's a good test to see how I handle things on my own. Smoking is not an option. Think positive. are two mantras that are going through my head.
|
|
|
Post by Flo on Sept 11, 2006 14:50:07 GMT -5
Wow. A picture is worth a thousand words!
|
|
|
Post by Flo on Aug 30, 2006 10:35:59 GMT -5
Thank you for the words of encouragement Elaine. It really is amazing how scared we are to quit, how we cannot imagine life without a cigarette, and yet, once we quit, the landscape changes immediately doesn't it? It's so much nicer on this side.
And the cigarette companies are desparate aren't they? 20% more nicotine to hook the smokers even more...
Keep up the good work Elaine and thanks for sharing with us newbies.
|
|
|
Post by Flo on Aug 29, 2006 10:08:42 GMT -5
Honesty is the first chapter of the book of wisdom.
- Thomas Jefferson
|
|
|
Post by Flo on Aug 29, 2006 10:09:59 GMT -5
Gosh, how blessed we are!
|
|
|
Post by Flo on Aug 28, 2006 10:13:17 GMT -5
It's sunny here but definitely with the sun moving into the fall solstice, it's a different heat. I'm wearing sweaters and socks in the apartment but it's nice outside.
I've been smoke free for 3 months and a week or so.
I had a strange dream last night - chased by a big yellow dog - couldn't get out of this neighbourbood - couldn't find the road - then, found a lane, and someone I used to work with years and years ago was attending a seminar (only in dreams huh) - and she came over and told me that I was two lifetimes ahead - and showed me how to get out. Strange. I'm starting a new job Sep 5 and ending my present on Aug 30. I'm so happy to be leaving this job and it's attnedant neuroses that I've actually broken out in hives! But I'm very pleased about the move - it's a move forward rather than a move away -
Had a couple of craves this weekend - I guess not craves - but while having a cup of hot chocolate soy milk, the idea came to me that this moment would be the perfect time to have a cigarette - but it passed as quickly - but I pondered why it would still come to me - oh well, as long as I remember that I only have two choices - I'll be fine.
|
|
|
Post by Flo on Aug 25, 2006 9:59:01 GMT -5
This story reminds me of when I was in Kuai preparing to climb the Napali Coast trail. It took me all week to climatize to the heat and humidity and being a smoker at the time...I finally did do it and loved every minute of it. It's a breathtaking hike. What an adventure. How much more with gusto would I approach that trail now that I'm a non-smoker!
|
|
|
Post by Flo on Aug 24, 2006 17:30:11 GMT -5
|
|
|
Post by Flo on Aug 24, 2006 10:00:57 GMT -5
Here's the link to the story about the life of a widower. It's really sobering. I hope this link works. www.msnusers.com/FreedomFromTobaccoQuitSmokingNow/favoritestrings.msnw?action=get_message&mview=0&ID_Message=51981&LastModified=4675583525223207340&all_topics=1The link didn't work so I've cut and pasted it: "The Isolation of a Widowed Smoker ________________________________________ Life had become a boring routine. She had just been going through the motions of maintaining a normal semblance of existence. Waking up, having a cigarette. Washing up and brushing her teeth, having a cigarette. Eating breakfast, having a cigarette. Doing some light cleaning, vacuuming, dusting, and having a cigarette. Watching a little television while having a cigarette. Preparing a sandwich for lunch, having a cigarette. Taking a short nap, waking up for a cigarette. Reading the newspaper, having a cigarette. Making a list of needed groceries, having a cigarette. Getting ready to do some light shopping, having a cigarette. Driving to the local market, having a cigarette. About to enter the store, but stopping to have a cigarette. Checking out at the cash register, leaving the store and having a cigarette. Going home and starting to prepare dinner, having a cigarette. Eating dinner, having a cigarette. Clearing the table and washing the dishes, having a cigarette. Watching a little television, having a couple of cigarettes. Washing up, brushing her teeth and getting dressed for bed, having a cigarette. Getting into bed, having a cigarette. Going to sleep. Ever since the loss of her husband many years ago, nothing in her normal daily existence seemed to give her life any meaning or any real happiness. Weeks would go by with her barely cracking a smile. Almost nothing seemed to bring her joy anymore. But this day was starting differently. After breakfast her phone rang. She ran for a cigarette. On the fourth ring she made it to the phone and picked up the receiver. It was her daughter. She lived only an hour away, but because of her career, her husband's schedule and the kid's school, soccer, piano, ballet lessons, etc., they only were able to visit occasionally. Well, to her pleasant surprise, she found out that they were coming on Saturday to spend the day. For the first time in weeks she seemed truly happy. As soon as she hung up the phone she grabbed for a cigarette. She had to start planning and preparing to see the kids. She called her beauty shop to make an afternoon appointment. When she hung up the phone she took a cigarette. She got dressed and ready to go shopping, and right before leaving, she took a cigarette. In the car driving to the store she hurriedly smoked two cigarettes for she knew she could not smoke while in the store. She hurriedly went up and down the aisles, with a certain bounce in her step for she was still so excited about the visit. When she left the store she hurried to her car and lit a cigarette. She went home, put away the groceries, prepared and ate a quick bite, smoked a cigarette and hurriedly left the house to be on time for her beauty shop appointment. While she was there she smoked and conversed with the other patrons, glowing as she told of her exciting weekend news. When she got home, she smoked a cigarette, and starting preparing a turkey for the big Saturday night meal. She smoked and ate, smoked and cooked and smoked and prepared for bed. One last cigarette and she slowly dozed off, happy and excited about the joy of the upcoming day. When she woke up she excitedly grabbed for her first cigarette. She got up and cleaned and brushed her teeth, and took another cigarette. She ate breakfast and smoked again. She started preparing her feast and smoked numerous cigarettes. Even though she was not conscious of the fact, she was smoking more than normal. Through years of conditioning she had learned that since she couldn't smoke when around the grandchildren she had better have plenty of nicotine in her system by the time they arrived. A little last minute cleaning, and cooking and smoking. She was ready. The door bell rings. She hurries to the door and opens it up. There is her family. Everyone is excited. She goes to kiss the youngest, who says "Oh grandma, you smell like an ashtray!" She was used to these comments, she loved him anyway. After 15 minutes of talking with all the kids and her daughter and son-in-law, she and her daughter go to the kitchen to work on the dinner. After a couple of hours she starts to feel the twinge for a cigarette. But she knows she can't smoke. The kids are running through the house vigorously. As the hours pass, her patience becomes strained. Too much noise she thinks to herself, boy, does she wish she could smoke a cigarette. She starts to complain of a minor headache. They decide they better eat early, grandma is seeming a little tired and a little hassled. They sit down to eat. The food is good and everyone is enjoying. But grandma seems to be feeling worse and worse. Four hours have passed and still no cigarette. After dinner they all decide grandma needs some rest and mutually everyone agrees they will leave early. She kisses them all good-bye and rushes them out. As the door closes she hurries to her pack and smokes three cigarettes in a row. She finally starts to feel better. She now sits down in a quiet empty room thinking how lonely she feels and how sad that they had to leave so soon. But at least she has her cigarettes. But it had been a long day. She washes up, brushes her teeth, gets dressed for bed, and has one last cigarette. Tomorrow would be another routine day."
|
|
|
Post by Flo on Aug 24, 2006 9:58:22 GMT -5
I got this tip from the Quit Net which I subscribe to:
"Some people smoke as a way to deal with loneliness. If you're one of these people, cigarettes may have become your best friend; quitting smoking could feel like breaking up a relationship. When you feel lonely, it can be even harder not to light up. What else can you do besides smoking? Can you make connections with other people, especially non-smoking ones? Remember that you have a choice about what you do when lonely feelings arise. Keep a list of people to call next to your phone; even leaving a message on voice-mail for someone can help you feel more connected to people. Try turning off the television, too. For many, excessive TV watching actually fuels intense feelings of loneliness."
This reminds me of the article about the life of a widower. I'll try to locate it and post it.
|
|
|
Post by Flo on Aug 24, 2006 12:08:48 GMT -5
Excellent article. Thanks Ann.
|
|
|
Post by Flo on Aug 24, 2006 9:52:26 GMT -5
Sometimes we are too smart for our own good!
|
|
|
Post by Flo on Aug 23, 2006 13:27:16 GMT -5
Take it easy whenever possible. Even if you have a packed agenda or a set of urgent tasks to complete, approach your schedule in a relaxed manner. Work on the assumption that everything ought to be easy. If it isn't working out well, that's not a reason to try harder. Rather it is a pointer from the cosmos. It is a suggestion that there is some more simple, sensible way to proceed. If anything gets complicated or dramatic, leave it alone and seek an alternative solution.
|
|
|
Post by Flo on Aug 22, 2006 11:40:27 GMT -5
A Smile costs nothing, but gives much It enriches those who receive, without making poorer those who give It takes but a moment, but the memory of it sometimes lasts forever None is so rich or mighty that he can get along without it, and none is so poor, but that he can be made rich by it A Smile creates happiness in the home, fosters good will in business, and is the countersign of friendship It brings rest to the weary, cheer to the discouraged, sunshine to the sad, and it is nature's best antidote for trouble. Yet it cannot be bought, begged, borrowed, or stolen, for it is something that is of no value to anyone, until it is given away Some people are too tired to give you a smile; Give them one of yours, as none needs a smile so much as he who has no more to give. SMILE Author Unknown
|
|