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I look forward to the Wednesday newspaper (am I the only one that still gets a physical copy) so I can check out the grocery store sales pages.

G’day NOPE NOPE NOPE

Thank y'all so much for all your love and kindness. I had a great day was so appreciative of the fact that I had actually quit smoking. The gruesome memories are fading fast and the freedom is still as delicious as ever. Thank you so much, @johnny5 , for starting this celebration and for your presence here. @Linda Thomas, I am so thrilled you built such a beautiful quit and are here with your sweet graciousness. @jillar, you are so funny with the word salad games and your advice to people is so right on, always. Thank you @Joe7, your support means a whole lot to me and you have a solid quit going on. @Paul723, my friend, Paul. You have been a great influence in my life since I first joined and I thank you for your sense and your wit. @Rozuki, I am so happy you quit and have shared your experience. Your story, your heart...all of it is so important. Thank you for the fabulous cocktails, @Jordan7 ! and thank you for all you contribute, we have such fun with the words. @QueenB, you know, it IS Epic. You are doing the epic dance as well in your quit. I am so glad of your success and how much you help all of us. and our new, new, newbie, Ms V ! @Vivianne. You are building a great quit and it is so inspiring ! I am so glad you found us, my friend. @reciprocity, Señor Porcini...thank you for your support and humor and all that you do here. You must try harder not to cheat in Sticks/Chicks, you know. Lusty one ! @Lust4Life, thank you so much. We sure will keep on keepin' on. We all will. @abbynormal, thank you for sharing your quit with us. I am so glad you are here. big D ! @Doreensfree, we've been on this train for a long time, my Smut Sister. You are so special to me and to all of us here. We love you so much. Yes, for SURE, @catlover, I DO feel on top of the world. The confidence in my quit is still building. Thank you so much. Meow Meow Meow. Thank you @Boo, nah it's too late to change the cool chick (now The Cool Crone, lol ) Your clarity has been a strong beacon for me, thank you. and thank you @garry mhudson, you know when I see your NOPE, I feel such solidarity. Thank all y'all on this QTrain, what a great space and incredible people.....cheers to NOPE NOPE NOPE NOPE NOPE.

NOPE!!

Nope

Positively NOPE !!!!

Nope

Congratulations on 6 years of freedom, @Sazerac Thank you for continuing to pay it forward by helping others with their quits as well. You have really helped a lot of people. I hope you do something to celebrate!

Got rear ended in traffic today. Quite an impact. Got checked out at the local hospital and stepped outside to take a bit of fresh air and appreciate my continued existence. Smokers were outside smoking and it would have been no effort to ask for one. Just to calm the nerves that were all a jingle. I talked myself out of it. Celebrating my fortune by poisoning myself seemed like spitting in lady luck's eye. So yeah, we still get close calls and fender bender after we quit smoking. Such are the vagaries of chance that are outside my control. What's not chance is the decision not to smoke. This is something I can control. *NOPE*

Oh Boy! First In Again? Nope!

Hugs Sweetheart... We were the same with Nicky being so far away ..... All we can do ....is what we think is the best ....for everyone .... It's never easy .... You are all in my thoughts....❤❤❤

I am so very sorry, @jillar. Long distance makes this even harder. Be kind to yourself, you need some extra nice right now.

Sad to hear of your situation. End of life situations are always difficult and emotions run high for all involved. Deep breaths for the frustration/anxiety when it strikes and do the best you can from where you are. That's all you can be expected to do. Keep in mind, everyone's operating on heightened emotions at this time. You'll find a way to get through it 😘

@jillar, home hospice requires family to be there. Family has to administer medications and care. These decisions have to be made together. You must be very frustrated right now. I know you do not like to travel, but is it possible to go. I will pray for your family, at this time. My heart is breaking for you.

Your daughter in law looks so happy, great job @Sazerac

In celebration of my Six Years of Freedom, I wrote this little piece, Sazerac's Simple Guide To Freedom Desire: You must want to quit more than you want to smoke Decision: Make the decision to live life without Nicotine. Commitment: Commit wholeheartedly to live without Nicotine and intend on standing by your resolve. Choice: Choose to never smoke again, EVER. This choice will empower you in many, many ways. “Once you make a decision, the universe conspires to make it happen.” — Ralph Waldo Emerson Education * Thanks to Joel Spitzer, this site and lurking around the sphere, I am still learning everything I can about Nicotine Addiction. Information is Big Power and I feel sufficiently armed to maintain my quit. Changing Focus. It took some doing but, s l o w l y, when junkie thoughts would drag me down, I began to train myself to look at something beautiful or think of beauty in some way. This retrained my brain and also gave me a bump of endorphins. I use this technique during any moments of distress or discomfort. These are not nicotine related anymore, just moments of life. The concept of H.A.L.T. * (are you Hungry (thirsty), Angry (emotional), Lonesome (bored), Tired) Nine times out of ten, smokey thoughts weren't about nicotine at all, it was my body (poor thing) hollering at me to do something life sustaining for it. Now, the signals are very clear and not related to nicotine in any way. I also want to share the benefits of Breath. Deep, calming breaths of Oxygen. An elixir to sharpen and focus your mind away from the patterns of addiction. Rewards * Not only does rewarding yourself help re-wire your brain receptors, treating yourself well and being as kind to yourself makes life nice. A little spoiling goes a long way, especially during rugged transitions of any kind. ```````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````` Quitting smoking has taught me much about myself and the human condition. The truth and honesty involved in making and keeping a commitment to myself has been profound. I know myself so much better. I have exchanged an empty bravado for an inner trust and knowledge. I am grateful to everybody here, your stories, your triumphs and your lapses, too. ALL have helped me understand the hideousness of nicotine addiction and the Power of Choice, the Preciousness of Freedom. I am so proud to be part of this community. Y'all are beautiful nicotine free creatures, my friends. S * Joel Spitzer's Quit Smoking Library * Riffing On H.A.L.T. * The Significance of Rewards p.s. To anyone beginning their journey, I would recommend this thread, 10 Ways To Effectively Use This Forum To Stop Using Nicotine

@jillar Good heavens J- I’m just getting caught up about your mom. I’m so sorry to hear of her declining health! I’m also sorry to hear about your family stress. It is hard being on opposite coasts. You will know when it is time to go. I wish you peace and strength through all of this! -L4L

NOPE - I don't smoke anymore.

NOPE...

NOPE

Nope!!

Congratulations on Six! Celebrate wildly! You have directly helped so many over the years and many times you were completely unaware of who else you indirectly helped and how (unless they took the trouble to post a thank you for it). Here is an example of you helping you that helped me too, so thanks! I should have said so a long time ago. For a while, I really missed stepping outside for some deep breaths, albeit nicotine-y breaths. Stepping outside for a break, or a look/see, for what to do next, for a Think. Then, I said, 'go outside, you big goof'. Go outside and take some good clean breaths...AND have a think. It is taking me a while to separate a break from a 'smoking break'. but, the ceremony of a break remains. It is an important time, stepping away and now it is smoke free.

I am so sorry @jillar. This should be a time that you are on the same page. Maybe she is having a difficult time facing the inevitable.

NOPE

Congratulations on your 6th year Sally!

Congratulations on 6 years Sally You are such a huge part of this place and offer your support unconditionally. You are appreciated and we're all very lucky to have you continue to pay it forward all these years. Have a great day

Nope!

Thank you @johnny5 ! You are very kind.

NOPE NOPE NOPE NOPE NOPE Celebrating Six Years of Freedom today/tomorrow

NOPE

NOPE - I don't smoke anymore.

Nope

NOPE...

Everyone says so.

WOWZERS 6 years is amazing!! Bet you feel on top of the world.. and soooooooo proud.

Mega Congratulations ,to my Smutt Sis.... Wow !!!....6 years ..... You have been a massive part of this train....who knows how many lives youv,e saved with your dedication.. We have had...... in between saving lives ....so much fun .... Looking forward to many more years ....it's been a blast Travelling along you ... Treat yourself well...you so deserve it ...and more ... Love you Sister ....❤❤❤❤

This popped into my head at about 3am.

-4 I am insanely happy Saz! .. life is great, I had 2 cravings yesterday and none today yet. I even have moment that I just don't think about smoking or quiting at all.. it just is. And when I do see someone smoking it looks so weird and unhealthy!

G’day Not One Puff Ever

-4 Hey, Ms V, how are you doing today ? I love seeing your days and dosh add up on your ticker !

Congratulations @Sazerac!!! Big Ups to you my friend!!! This is epic. You must feel very proud of yourself

Big congratulations, Sazerac! Here's one for each year down and a couple to grow on.

This week went faster than I thought! Hooray!! Get your fresh apple pie and some chocolate milk with whipped cream - my treat!

Congrats, Sally/Saz! Six years! Sensational! Celebrate (with some wicked punch, maybe?) Cheers and thanks for being here!! 😎

So glad you weren't badly injured Sirius. And thank you for reminding everyone that bad things happen and we get through them smoke free just like never smokers do

This is important, an important choice, Sirius. Glad you aren't seriously injured or seriously injuring yourself by smoking. NOPE

NOPE!!

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