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I have read about the acronym, H A L T, in recovery paraphernalia and have used it to a great degree of success in changing my patterns from a nicotine addict to a Free person. Having a Crave ? H. A. L. T. Are you Hungry - Thirsty - need a deep breath of Oxygen ? Angry - Happy - Emotional ? Lonesome - Bored ? Tired ? In many, many instances, when I would reach for a smoke, my poor body was actually trying to alert me that it needed attention in some way. My addiction silenced these natural signals. I still catch myself these days...no, it is no longer a crave, it is my body hollering for water or food or something it really needs ! Now, groovin' in my new freedom, when these signals come up, my first thought may still be, 'Oh cigarette, dammit' However, it is followed immediately by, 'No, not smokes...you're Hungry, baby !' or, you're thirsty or, you need to go sit outside and take a big gulp of oxygen and figure out what your body or spirit requires. The piracy that nicotine practiced is still mind-boggling to me. Allowing nicotine to take over my basic human needs of sustenance and comfort was a grave error on my part. I am grateful my body is so forgiving . I am grateful to be free. Free and learning how to read my body's signals and remembering how to take good care of it. So, next time you have what you assume to be a Nic fit, have a think...what is your body really telling you ? It won't be hard to figure out. For me it has been obvious and I have to wonder, how could I have neglected my body for so long ? It is a miracle it survived. I would like to include our friend, Joel Spitzers' Do You Want A Cigarette....H.A.L.T.

That's right, the Queen of the QT has been smoke-free for 3 years!!! If you've relapsed and think you can never keep a quit, talk to Beth. She's been there done that and now she's 3 years without a puff. Congrats, Beth!!!

As I approach 2 months smoke free it´s time to stop and think. It´s amazing how my life has changed in only 2 months. I think 2 months is so little time. A baby is just an inch long. In 2 months! Nevertheless my life has made a happy twist and turn in so little time. I´m healthier than ever. I realized something: if I was able to quit smoking I can do anything. I´m unstoppable. That gave me the strenght to keep going with an exercise plan and bike at least half an hour a day. That gave me the confidence to rescue a tiny kitten. I was totally afraid of cats and had been all my life. But when I knew that little (ginger Colleen ;)) furry buddy didn´t had a home I couldn´t resist. Because if I could stop smoking I could lose my fear of cats. And so I took him in my arms and proved once again that I´m unstoppable. Sir Garfield is the cutest, most funny and lovely friend I could´ve asked for. If I could stop smoking I might well can stop drinking that much coffee. I´ve been willing to add some green tea to my day and so I did. Because quitting has been totally empowering. I´m incredibly thankful for this community. Everyday I look forward to wake up, see who´s celebrating that day and feel very happy for them. I look forward every morning to write my NOPE and really mean it. Thank to all of you guys! For the ones that still haven´t met Sir Garfield: