Reciprocity

Hey JB! I was just on holiday and I was watching people in smoking areas where ever I went and was glad I wasn't one of them and proud that I no longer HAD to huddle around some ashtray that was placed in that undesirable spot to catch the ash from those deadly cancer sticks but then, one day I was walking along somewhere and out of the blue, there was a crushed out cigarette on the ground, maybe only 1/4 smoked. I focused on the crushed cigarette and I momentarily wished I had a lighter so I could pick up that crushed cig. and light it up right then and there. All this was in one instantaneous thought that maybe lasted 5 seconds; if that? My point here is that those random thoughts keep happening long after we've quit. They just don't last as long and become easier and easier to dismiss the longer we stay quit. Just don't get cocky and act on them. Others have done that and you know where those stories end up. Best to just stay quit while it's relatively easy to do so

You are in the thick of it now Sunny! Don't worry though, it's doable and you can get through this just like we all have done. Focus on your quit as the number 1 priority for now. Take it a day or even an hour at a time. I remember that lack of concentration well in my own early quit. It's debilitating but it will get better and go away. It's just a reminder of how powerful this addiction really is. It has ruled your every move and now you're denying it .... ha, ha! Good for you! Your kicking it's a*s and it doesn't like it.

I should have stayed on holiday -2

Or, the famous Bautista "Bat Flip" incident in the 2015 American League Division Series against Texas Rangers that fueled an ongoing feud between Toronto & Texas! It was great to see as a Blue Jays fan - not so much from the Rangers point of view - lol

Probably the Toronto Blue Jay's greatest moment ever! 2nd World Series win in a row 1993 and that was the last one

I wouldn't invest in their stock even if it was on the rise! Glad to see we are choking the life out of them as they have done to so many people over the years

You're good to go Jo! No worries. Just tell smoking to Pis* Off, like you have been all along. It just gets easier and easier to do as you move forward. I think the only thing that poses a danger to all of us longer term quitters is that moment of complacency where we figure we can just have one again because we've been quit for so long. I've read too many stories about what the real life result of that is so I now keep those tucked away in my head so that if I start thinking that way, I just focus on those real life stories. I don't want to go there and so far .... I haven't. Keep the faith friend. You're well on your way

Yes - a long awaited break from the brutal winter we've had this year in the Great White North - it was GREAT!

NOPE!

Hello TS! Glad you've joined us Looks like you are participating often which is always a good sign that you are committed to doing this thing. Learn lots from what happened to you and always keep that in the back of your mind. It will serve you well. Stick around here and let's get this done once again

Late to this thread but hoping Drangonfly comes back. There's no judgements here. We only wish to help others achieve what we all want which is our permanent quit! Come back DF and let us help you with your journey to freedom.

Sorry I'm coming in with a late greeting but glad to see yet another person ridding themselves of this deadly addiction. Sorry that your life is in a bad place right now but happy to see you are making positive changes. Those changes will stay with you forever. Your life will change in time as it does for all of us. Keep your mind focused on the important stuff. The stuff that benefits YOU! Stay with us here and participate all you can. It will really help you in the early days of your quit. Educate yourself about this addition too and you'll know what to expect along the way. Read, read and read some more

Wow - sorry to hear you had a health scare Roz but glad you got it looked after right away and are through the operation now and back with us I'm sure you'll be feeling better than ever very soon!

10 What? Another chick playing now??

No, it wasn't a direct result of savings from quitting smoking. Basically, the wife went on this as part of a seminar she was doing with Royal Caribbean and her partner travel agent who was supposed to go with her backed out so I got to go instead. Worked out great. The wife had to work and I got to lay around the Lido Deck in the sun, drink cold beer with the occasional dip into a pool

OK - so off the boat and back on the train again Thanks lots Jo for keeping the celebrations thread running smoothly while I was gone. Our quits don't go on holiday and it's important that we recognize all those amazing milestones people are reaching every day. Holiday was great - hot & sunny for a week ..... finally We went on a cruise on Royal Caribbean Allure of the Seas, one of their Oasis Class Ships (largest cruise ships currently made). That thing was like a floating city. Almost 9,000 passengers including ships staff. It's 362m in length (1,187 feet) and 72m in height above the waterline (236 feet). 5 pools on the Lido Deck plus 2 small wave rider pools for surfing and an 18 hole mini putt golf course; not to mention the zip-line at the back of the ship.

Congratulations Opah on reaching that most difficult milestone of 1 month smoke free! Celebrate this important milestone then carry on strengthening your quit. You're doing great! Happy hunting

-12

This is just another "stress test" Jo. To see if you can handle it without smoking Just watch out for BKP and Pork Chop

-10

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-6 trying on my bathing suit

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-6 chicks losing momentum