Re: My first year of freedom and healing
- From: "Richard" <rvardy@xxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Tue, 06 Jun 2006 15:11:05 GMT
hi Echo
CONGRATULATIONS ON BECOMING (OF) AND WELCOME TO THE HOT TUB WHERE THERE'S
ALWAYS ROOM FOR ONE MORE.
i think most of us can appreciate many of the things you mention, after all
it's these things that bind us bunch of strangers together and help us help
each other.
it's wonderful to realise how great life without smoking can be and so
important that we try and pass that on to others so that they too can
benefit. over the last year you have become a part of this wonderful
support group and i hope that you will continue to do so.
wishing you all the best with your wonderful new life
richard
OF
"~Echo~" <Idontsmoke@xxxxxxxxxxx> wrote in message
news:moehg.17064$A8.14403@xxxxxxxxxxx
Today is an important milestone in my journey of healing and freedom from
this gripping addiction. I will never forget where I came from and what
brought me here.
I remember my very first cigarette 28 years ago - It was stolen, it was
menthol, I inhaled deeply, coughed and then vomited. I was 15.
I remember the exhausting cough when trying to expel dark brown
phlegm out of my lungs and worrying that I might have cancer. Sometimes
I'd even spit it out into a Kleenex and force myself to look at it to
ensure that it wasn't bloody and then sighing with relief when it wasn't.
I remember delaying my annual physical and dentist appointments because I
didn't want to be lectured. After all, I was an educated, mature adult
and had an awesome career. How dare anyone lecture me about smoking?
I remember a kind old fellow, *a complete stranger*, walking up to me,
placing his hand on my shoulder and softly saying "What's a pretty woman
like you doing smoking?". God, how I remember him. I hope he realizes
what an impact he made on my life. Dear kind Sir.Thank You.from the
bottom of my heart; I have carried your words for almost 20 years.
I remember the yellow stains nicotine on my fingers and nails...so much so
that I was embarrassed to show my hands. I even remember soaking my hands
in bleach on the morning of my wedding day in a vain attempt to get rid of
them.
I remember the burning sensation when the smoke got into my eyes and being
worried how the smoke would affect my eyes healing after lazic surgery.
I remember the dogs being cooped up in a smoke filled car.how did we dare
compromise their health?
I remember being in bed with phenomena in both lungs and STILL
smoking....even when I was warned that I'd be hospitalized if I continued
to
do so.
I remember feeling like a failure, an outcast and a poor role-model to
those I mentored and looked up to me. I will never forget the "Oh, you
smoke" look and the sparkle in their eye fading when they realized that I
can't possibly be who they thought I was. After all, heroes don't
smoke - do they?
I remember how short tempered I was as a smoker and then discovering the
reason for this behaviour was the short half life of nicotine and my
constant need to suppress nicotine withdrawal. I love the calm new me
that emerged when I quit.
I remember the hundreds and hundreds of dollars spend on courses, books,
tapes, gums, patches, inhalers, drugs, and hypnotism.each one giving me
hope that they will help me to quit smoking. And each one leaving me a
little poorer and confirming that I indeed was a failure. Double your
chances? Yeah right.
I remember the shear desperation of wanting to be a non smoker, the
hundreds of dollars spent and still not quitting. To be completely
honest, it brought me to tears more than once.and at my lowest point..I
remember.
.stumbling upon www.WhyQuit.com on the week of June 1st, 2005 and finally
being able to understand why this addiction had such a powerful grip on
me. It was my very own personal "ah ha" moment and it shook me to my core.
So on June 6th, 2005 (only a couple of days after discovering the site) I
quit. For good. Cold Turkey.
And I remember a fellow giving me a big huge bear hug when I told him I
quit...and I will never ever forget the tears welling up in *his* eyes.
To this day, I don't even know this mans name...just that he works in my
office building. I'm glad to tell you that on the rare occasions that I
do bump into him, I am always at the receiving end of a bear hug. And
yeah, I still don't know his name.only that my quit touched him
deeply.well either that or my boobs.
Of course there's a whole lot more about smoking that provokes sad and
even angry remembrances, but on the other hand...
I will *always* remember how proud I feel for making the decision to never
have another puff. And I will always remember how my quit has impacted my
family, my friends and my life.
Thank you Joel Spitzer and John Polito for your continued efforts at
educating, motivating and promoting healing and freedom from nicotine
through your website http://www.whyquit.com Education is power.
Thank you AS3. Just knowing that I was not alone was an important part of
my journey. With many thanks to those of you who reached out. I will
always remember the support, strength and wisdom you offered.
~Echo
Free and Healing for:
One Year, 6 Hours and 16 Minutes!
(365 days)
That's 7305 cigarettes not smoked,
and $2,789.92 banked!
.
- References:
- My first year of freedom and healing
- From: ~Echo~
- My first year of freedom and healing
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