cpk

n.o.p.e. :wub:

Patience is not my strong suit. I am often impatient for good results. So that one word, "Wait" means a lot. Thanks! As I move on into month 2, 3, and so on...I hope to never forget "nope" and "wait"...

Thanks so much for sharing this. I am a newbie. I can relate to what you have written, and I am grateful to you for being so brave. I have actually been thinking about the things you wrote about. It is difficult to describe, and I think you did a pretty good job. I may be off the mark, but some of this might relate to smoker's identity. Smoking, as I see it, very gradually rubs out parts of our personality. While smoking I still thought of myself as I used to be...creative, active, outgoing. But, in truth, smoking took a lot of those things away. I wasn't those things anymore. And add to that LOTS of stressful life events. I really became someone who was just coping and surviving. Not really living. Just existing. Now I am in the reverse. I am delighted to not be smoking...more than I can say. HOWEVER, I now have to face the fact that not only do I have to build a quit, I have to rebuild all those lost aspects of ME. AND...I have to reshape some parts of me. I used smoking to tamp down a lot of my emotions. Even before I quit I started to be more honest, and that has really upset the apple cart in a lot of relationships. Some may not survive. But I have to protect not only this new quit, but the new me who is emerging from the smoker's cocoon. Wow...it's so positive what you did for yourself...getting back into your art. It's lovely. Maybe you will have to push yourself a little to keep up with it...but consider the VALUE of doing this. It has high value...helping you now and in the future. I hope you won't mind if I say what you have shared has helped me by way of a warning. I can see how I might linger in the doldrums without too much wind in my sails...and then a year from now, think, so what, I quit smoking, big deal? I don't want that to happen so right now, today, I am going to make it a priority for me to nurture and support my identity...who I am, my values, hopes, dreams, what brings happiness into my life...and on and on. THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU, GRACIOUS LADY! PS You have REALLY INSPIRED ME to start my exercise program today. I have been feeling "blah" - not wanting to push myself...but this is a big goal for me because I want to be fit this summer. If I start now I can reach that goal. If I don't...come summer I'll just be sad. It helps me if I set up a chart and log in my time doing something new...so am gonna go do that right now! :wub:

Love this!

:wub: :wub: :wub: ...3...so just breathe...and "be"

Bravo! Great morning read.

Yes, indeed, because quitting smoking means staying young in every way. Have a great quit day, one strong minute at a time... :bye:

N.O.P.E. :girl_wink:

DOOR #4...SASS YOUR ASS ON THROUGH, MISSY YOU WON'T BE HERE NO MORE. (blues guitar riffing...)

Community. Shared goals. Responsibility. Thanks, Nancy!

Like building a pyramid...one stone at a time. Thanks.

That's very Zen. Thanks.

Can someone help Ricki M? She posted at the end of my "Shadow..." thread. She's new and wants to know how to install her Quit Meter. I got mine up by the Grace of God...I don't know how to explain it to someone else...

Throwing this one out to all Master Quitters...

Thanks. I needed this clarification. It even helps to read about how people feel when they throw away their quits.

I'm so jealous...I lived in Philly for years, and the flower show is the BEST. Congrats on your superbly good health. What a glorious time in your life. To think we can do such marvelous turn-arounds is like creating heaven or earth! I love you, Master Quitters!!! Rock on, all of you! :music:

I was down to 10 a day. That means I eliminated all the non essential smokes but kept the most essential, most important ones. In a way, that almost strengthens the addiction in the end, because every one of those ten was somehow "meaningful". Keep vigilant and fight the thought that ANY freak fag is meaningful. Hell, what is meaningful is all the oxygen you're gulping, and what a great runner you now are. There are some radically dedicated exercise heavy weights here...hope you join up with them!

Okay, I'm learning the calm doesn't always last. But every time it comes around I am going to acknowledge it because I need it...and I'm going to collect all the good moments and put them in a magic mental medicine bag...because that roller coaster thing... okay, it's a real thing. But I got my medicine bag. Ohhhhh, Marti, you must be so excited! Well done you!!! :music: Oh yeah!

Right on.

I mean scoucer

Somebody needs to be spanked for building crummy apartments (on inside) but making them all pretty on outside for nice curb appeal with expensive trees and flower gardens. Like lies about smoking, so cool to be a smoker looking all sophisticated, while inside lungs look like a graveyard. I am taking the thumbs up to mean I can go out for a cup of primo coffee because I am staying calm, and because my lungs feel good today, not all fluttery and quivery. :victory: Cool Peachy Kicker

Today major leaks in closet...clothes soaked...my computer printer was stored in there and when I took it off the shelf water mixed with black ink spilled all over carpet. Management of this complex has been out twice this year for leaks...as well, heat and hot water sometimes does not work for days at a time. Now I have to get them to try to fix leaks - again - clean carpet - again. Meanwhile they keep jacking up the rent. In the past I would be running out for junk food and smokes, smokes, smokes, smokes, smokes. Today, however, feel so calm it's spooky. Zen masters say: Don't put a hat on top of a hat. Smoking ADDS stress to an already stressful situation. That smoking calms us down seems to be THE BIGGEST LIE OF ALL. I'm a bit bummed out about the mess and flood, but I feel calm. I'm looking at the big picture. Smokes were like hysterical little demons always making mountains out of molehills. I'm glad they're gone!

Good Luck, hang tough, run free...

scoucer? someone from Liverpool?