Genecanuck

Not one puff or Nicotine Patch Ever!

This is brilliant.

Thank you @jillar... this is an importnat message for me. Yes, I was a serial quitter in the past and then I became a serial nicotine patch user. I am not making any grandiose statements about where I am going but I want this to be my forever quit - nicotine free. And I I will do this one day at a time. Awesome post. Thank you. Gene

Hi, Not sure what happened to Friday October 25th... But NOPE to today and NOPE and no patches on October 26th.

@jillar... I am sorry for your loss. Hugs

1000 days ... and on ... GAELthoughts, Quitnet Re-Post, August 3, 2005 From The_GAEL on 8/3/2005 3:05:47 PM It's a funny thing, this addiction. It starts with the most social of behaviors - just sharing some time and a chat with friends, and 'lighting up' as we used to say. Usually, a beer in one hand and cig in the other, feeling grown up and mature at - what was it - 15, 16 years old... In those days, it was usual to offer your cigarettes around the group, and in turn, accept one offered back - part of the bonding process, I guess, being accepted into the group. And so the seed was planted. Later it became less of an event, not something done when the evening arrived and a little relaxation was the prize for the day's labors and stresses, but it was a persistent nag, somewhere in the psyche to get away, to stop what I was doing, to halt the concentration and focus on the task at hand, and... light a cigarette. It wasn’t yet the constant companion that soon it would be, but it was definitely exerting pressure - selfish and vile - to have its hand on my shoulder and its lies whispered in my ears... that was coming, but I never saw it. And so it took root. In time though, smoking was always with me. Always had a pack in my pocket and another in my car. Soon I was buying 2-3 packs at a time and then - self delusional and totally hoodwinked - I was buying cartons to save money. If I got below half a carton in my stock, I'd buy another carton; just to be sure I had plenty on hand. And I still never saw that I was addicted, and I was not choosing to smoke - my free will was totally ineffective - I had no choice - I had to smoke - and I was blind to the strength and power of the addiction - it was that good in its power over me. And so, the evil infestation grew and thrived on my withering self-determination. Later it was clear that there was no rationality in smoking - not one - all I had believed was self-delusional. The financial cost, the disgusting smell, the morning cough to get the brown-green mucus out of my lungs, the lack of taste in any food, the difficulty I had in climbing stairs or carrying any load, the fact that that I was controlled by the need to inhale the smoke of a toxic weed, the very fact that I was killing myself... I was causing the acceleration my own death... the very end of my life... But I still didn't get it. It was still a pleasure, I told myself, one of the few I have left... even after I had seen my mother die of it, and aunts and uncles, one favorite with a tracheotomy after his larynx was removed due to throat cancer. My blindness was complete - oh, no, not me, I'll prove them all wrong, and live to be 100... But, it's all crap. The blindfold had to come off. For me, that happened just over 1000 days ago. I've told of the events that led up to it, and just beyond it many times - it's still in my profile, and I stand behind all of the words I wrote there, even though much of it is almost 3 years old. It wasn't easy. It wasn't the first attempt, or third or... I don't even know how many times. But it was the last. I had a quit in me, and I invested in it... I cleared the weeds and found a spot to plant a flower. It's a fragile thing, a single flower, and needs care and close attention. It needs the weeds to be kept well back, and it needs love and a gentle hand, but it has one purpose - to thrive. And it will thrive, and grow strong, and flower and gain strength with each passing season. I used to say Strength, Courage and Determination was pretty much all that was needed. I now believe that these are part of it - a very strong conviction that you are making the single very best decision to improve your life, followed by the courage to accept that decision and act on it, and the determination to hold fast to your commitment to yourself. The missing part - was to recognize the importance of doing this alongside others, and in the supportive company of friends. I don't think I've ever thanked the friends I've made here at the Q, and in 1102, nearly enough. Without your support, whether you knew it or not, I would not have been smokefree these last 1000 days. Thank you, for my life. ________________The GAEL 1006 days, 13 hours, 5 minutes and 13 seconds smoke free. 24157 cigarettes not smoked. $4,225.20 and 6 months, 4 days, 12 hours of your life saved. Your quit date: 11/1/2002 1:00:00 AM

HI @MLMR .... just checking in to see how you are doing. How are things going?

@Sazerac ... Congratulations on moving into your 11th year, smoke free, nicotine free!!! You were one of the people that reached out to offer support to me when I first joined this site a few years ago.... and I am grateful for that! I did not quit at the time but you were the reason I decided to come back to the Quittrain when I was ready to not only stop smoking but stop the nicotine patch.:) I am happy to hear that you have been able to apply the lessons leared about addictions to other areas of your life. I sincerely hope you are finding some relief from your other health challenges. Wishing you all the best. Thank you for being here for so many newbies in the past. Warm Regards, Gene

Not one puff or Nicotine patch EVER!

Addicts and non-addicts are exactly alike - with only a few differences. Quitnet Re-post, March 24, 2007. Author Unknown Addicts have cravings; non-addicts have hunger, thirst, headaches, depression, anxiety, and so on. The feelings are identical, but addicts use the wrong word. Do yourself the favour of honesty and call things by their right names. Perhaps then you can do the right thing about them, and there won’t be anything to fight. Addicts have withdrawal; non-addicts have stress. The sensations and chemical causes are identical, but addicts use the wrong word. Also, the addict takes nicotine, which amplifies the feelings. The addict in recovery often `fights` against these feelings, and so only adds to the stress. Stop the insanity. Address stress the way sane folk do. Don’t think that smoking will help. Don’t think that fighting will help. They can only make it worse. Addicts have urges and desires; non-addicts have memories. Again, same thing, wrong word. I remember my old girlfriend, but that doesn’t mean I want to wreck my life and leave my wife. And while I’m remembering, I’ll remember the hells that wench put me through. While you’re remembering smoking, remember that made you feel good only by taking away some of its own bad, and that bad is gone for good now. Addicts fear consequences, non-addicts fear causes. Stop looking for the `next one`, start seeing through your delusions. Then there won’t be a `next one`. Addicts believe that addiction `makes` them think things; non-addicts know that faulty thinking IS the addiction. You stopped believing in monsters under your bed, stop believing in demons between your ears. You can quit. It can be amazingly easy and permanent. You just have to quit the right things. Quit using the wrong words. Quit lying to yourself. Quit fearing your own imagination. Do it consistently for two months, and I guarantee you will find yourself quoting Dr. King: `Free at last! Free at last! Thank God Almighty, we’re free at last!` Addiction is not about weakness, Recovery is not about strength. Addiction is about self-deception, Recovery is about self-love.

Not One Puff or Nicotine Patch Ever! https://i.giphy.com/media/v1.Y2lkPTc5MGI3NjExaWpsM2xrZXUzaG1tbnZ1NmVkaDhnY2toaG54ZjdibXk5cTF1M2ppNiZlcD12MV9pbnRlcm5hbF9naWZfYnlfaWQmY3Q9Zw/IrwH4Vp5codA0HldUh/giphy.gif

I just got back from climbing a mountain, Quitnet Repost, March 16, 2005 I Had this in my library and thought it might help someone! Sandra D436 I just got back from climbing the mountain (100 day ramble) From Kiwi100 on 3/16/2005 2:26:37 PM Newbies and repeat quitters - NEVER GIVE UP. This has been with me a long time. Finally - after several attempts I have made it.. no more excuses as to why I can not do it. I Tried To Climb The Mountain Today I tried to climb the mountain today. As I inched my way up the path, I felt overwhelmed, so I had to turn back. I tried to climb the mountain today. On my journey, darkness started to fall, and I was full of fear, so I had to return to a safe place. I was ready to climb the mountain today. But it was so hot outside, I thought I better stay in my nice air-conditioned house and rest up for tomorrow`s attempt. I was about to climb the mountain today. But I had so many other things to do, so instead of climbing the mountain I took care of much more important tasks. I washed my car, mowed the grass and watched the big game. Today the mountain will just have to wait. I was going to climb the mountain today. But as I stared at the mountain in its majestic beauty, I knew I stood no chance of making it to the top, so I figured why even bother trying. I have forgotten about climbing the mountain today; until a friend came by and asked me what I was up to lately. I told him I was thinking about climbing that mountain some day. I went on and on about how I was going to accomplish this task. Finally, he said, `I just got back from climbing the mountain. For the longest time I told myself I was trying to climb the mountain but never made any progress. I almost let the dream of making it to the top die. I came up with every excuse of why I could not make it up the mountain, but never once did I give myself a reason why I could. One day as I stared at the mountain and pondered, I realized that if I didn`t make an attempt at this dream all my dreams will eventually die.` `The next morning, I started my climb.` He continued, `It was not easy, and at times I wanted to quit. But no matter what I faced, I placed one foot in front of the other, keeping a steady pace. When the wind tried to blow me over the edge, I kept walking. When the voices inside my head screamed `Stop!` I focused on my goal never letting it out of sight, and I kept moving forward. At times, I was ready to quit, but I knew I had come too far. Time and time again, I reassured myself that I was going to finish this journey. I struggled to make it to the top, but I climbed the mountain!` `I have to be going,` my friend said. `Tomorrow is a new day to accomplish more dreams. By the way, what are you going to do tomorrow?` I looked at him, with intensity and confidence in my eyes, and said, `I have a mountain to climb.`

Crowded House - Don't Dream It's Over (Official Music Video)

Welcome @Summer When you get a moment, please introduce yourself. You will find lots of support here to help you along the way!

Thank you everyone for your kind words of support. But today, I am not feeling very confident in my quit. Just been here so many times. This time though. I am doing this COLD TURKEY and totally off the patch. Taking it one day at a time. Not one puff or nicotine patch ever!!

Not one puff or Nicotine Path Ever!

Hey @MLMR.... ask yourself emotionally, what do you need right now? Find a way seek some comfort and attend to what is bothering you... or find something that can make you feel a bit better in the moment... we know that smoking never really made anything feel better!!! Smoking only ever made us want to smoke more.. You are doing awesome @MLMR One Day at a Time!!

@DenaliBlues... thank you for reminding us that withdrawl exagerates and distorts any suffering we are experiencing.... @MLMR.. this is good advice. Please let us know how you are doing and hang close to Quittrain. Hope you feel better soon.

Hello @MLMR... the fact that you came here for help says a lot about your commitment to keep your quit. You have the right idea. Take it one step at a time. You are here because your desire to keep your quit is stronger than your temporary cravng to smoke. Let us know how you are doing buddy. Keep your quit.

Not one puff or nicotine patch ever! Sudbury, Ontario Canada View of a smelter stack of a nickel plant showing the emission on the air with sunset sky as as background

How will you greet the morning? Quitnet Repost, December 12, 2005 From Peter_is_in on 12/12/2005 11:51:23 PM So how will you greet tomorrow morning . . . ? A) As someone who is experienced at being smoke free and solid in your quit. You will face the day knowing that smoking is never an option and that you now experience all the rewards of your positive choice. You are probably so grateful for finally being free that your main reason for coming to this site is to support others. You are greeting the day smoke free. B) As someone who is new at being smoke free. Your first waking thoughts are about your quit and how you will manage another day to defend it. You wake up knowing that this is something you want to do and that you have started the journey. You are grateful for the support others have shown and you come to this site to receive support and give it as well. You are greeting the day smoke free. C) As someone who is ready to quit smoking. Your day is filled with wondering about your ability to make it finally happen. You have made plans and you are ready to start a smoke free life. You are grateful that you are just on the verge of quitting and you come to this site to receive support, to learn about quitting, and to witness others helping others. Before long you too will be greeting the day smoke free. So how will you greet tomorrow morning . . . ? Greet it smoke free . . . . addiction free . . . Peter _ ‹(•¿•)› ¯°°°¯¯°°°¯¯¯¯ _ ___________________________________________________________

Night Ranger - Sister Christian (Official Music Video)