Eleven
Although Ten years quit was the milestone, in this eleventh year

I have utilized the lessons learned by quitting nicotine/dealing with addiction in another profound way.
My body was rebelling after my years of abuse, from smoking, from defying gravity for 69 years !
Arthritis was making for painful days.

No surprise. I was lucky I could still breathe after so many years smoking like a whore in church.

After experiencing symptoms of an autoimmune disease, I decided to take radical action.
First, I learned everything about Sjögren's syndrome and then looked for solutions,

just I had come to this site and availed myself to Joel Spitzer's work and other information.
Second, I took the initiative.

Instead of quitting nicotine (smoking),

I stopped consuming anybody with a mother, cold turkey (pardon the expression, lol) including dairy.
As a 'foodie' omnivore, I never in my wildest days thought of changing.
But here I am, a raw vegan.

I found a marvelous resource online, just as I had found y'all.

Dr. Brooke Goldner offers a free hyper nourishing protocol that has help thousands reverse disease.

Look her up if you are curious or in pain yourself.

Sure, it was a radical act for me

but there was no doubt in my mind that I could succeed,

after all I quit nicotine!

The results have been astounding. My body moves freely again.
I feel healthier than ever before and empowered.

Exactly what quitting nicotine/smoking did for me.

The changes also helped me face other truths;

Dealing with habits and addictions around Food!

To examine using food as comfort or reward just as I used cigarettes.

Now, food is nourishment

and I know all the cells in my body rejoice after being malnourished for decades.

The lessons learned around my nicotine addiction were a struggle eleven years ago,

now they are easier to initiate and complete.

To change is a pure gift we have the power to give ourselves.

To trust ourselves again after a lifetime of addictive behavior.

To stay current and change whenever needed because we have the tools!

Our brain knows the drill and also understands the profound rewards.

Hello to all you beautiful nicotine free creature

who understand the need to change,

who have the desire to confront their addictions

and gather the tools to begin and and continue on this marvelous journey.

Here is a kindly hand up, or stand on my shoulders if you need to see the other side.

Know in your struggles and successes that others understand

and are amazed at your fortitude minute by minute, day by day and soon...year by year.

Decade by decade!
Thank you for telling your stories and strengthening the thread that weaves us all together.

NOPE NOPE NOPE NOPE NOPE.

Sazerac.