I want to take this time to thank every one of you. Yes, EVERYONE. Every one of you made me smoke-free. I know that I would not have made it without Blairsville. You were the number one reason why I did not go back to the addiction. I love you all
(((((Blairsville)))))
Blair – thanks for this board and the wisdom to know how it could help so many. I remember trying to register when I was on my second day of the quit and could not register for the life of me. I remember flying an email out to you on a Saturday of all things and thinking, “well…looks like I won’t hear back until another couple of days or weeks”. I was about to break and smoke. BUT, there was an email about 10 minutes later from you. I just could not believe my eyes. Needless to say, you got everything going and the rest is history. Blair you are an angel.
To the newbies who just quit, I was in your position last year. I tried on the 1st and did not succeed. I retried on the third and this is the one that stuck. Think about it for just one quick second. You could be where I am next year. I know a year seems a long ways away right now, but honestly, in retrospect, it was a fast year. Just do this quitting thing, one day at a time and never ever give into your addicted mind!!!
For the best quitters who are still around and went through this quit with me, what more can I say but thank you so much!!! You know who you are and I don’t think I need to mention any names. Look at yourselves in the mirror and pat yourselves on the back, because this is one smoker that was set free by your unending support and love. I feel a connection with all of you, and gosh, we need to do a family reunion someday, somewhere. Hey Bob, any ideas?
There were others though that probably will not read this ramble and these are the people who concern me the most. The ones that do not make it. I was lucky…I was one of the fortunate ones…there is no doubt about that. I liked to smoke….No, I LOVED to smoke. When I look back at what I went through to quit this addiction, I know I was fortunate and I thank my blessings everyday. During the year, I have seen so many people fall back into the grips of Mr. Nico, and these people are the ones who I dedicate this quit to. All of them even aided in my quit at one point or another and I am thankful for them. I hope all of you are doing well and you can find the resolve to try and come back to us again. Plain and simple, I miss you!!!
Anexs - which stands for AN EX-Smoker which by God, I AM!!!!!!!
Scott
HEY, CHECK THIS OUT BLAIRSVILLE!!!!!!
I have been Quit for: 1 Year 11 Minutes 50 Seconds. I have NOT smoked 9149, for a savings of $1,715.56. Life Saved: 1 Month 18 Hours 25 Minutes.
I MADE IT !!! This feels good ! One year ‘free' from cigarettes. One year ‘free' from being controlled. One year ‘free' to go where I want, when I want, with whomever. Smoking is an incredible burden to carry and it feels great when you let it go.
I remember lurking a few days before I quit and then finally getting up the courage to post. (I had never posted in any type of forum before this). Bob was the first one to say "Welcome Deb". Scared the heavens out me. I think I may have shut down. hehe The rest is history.
~*~*~*~*~ debcb 1 YEAR SMOKE FREE ~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Words of wisdom?? I think we all have our words of wisdom from day one of our quits. It just takes us all a while to act on our beliefs, to walk the talk. Here are just a few things that helped me through the early part of my quit, and still do:
Thank you Blairsville......for your love, your empathy, your support, your passion, your humor. I guess I am amazed and inspired by the friends in this cyber community. The power here is endless.
As I come to the end of my first smoke free year...I want to set out some flares and beacons for the good folks beginning on their own journeys.
In traditional Windy-Cindy fashion...I had begun an epic story to post here about my life-long struggle with cigarettes...but it occurs to me that it doesn't matter to you what "made" me smoke....what's really important is what keeps us quit.
The biggest factor in keeping my quit was sharing it. When we help others...we are truly helping ourselves...and if you repeat something often enough...it becomes reality. So grab a hand and cheer someone on...even if you think you are only paying lip service to the words...they will ring true.
Please try to stay nearsighted. Looking too far into the future is a scary, depressing and dangerous thing to do when you first quit smoking. It won't always be that way!!! At some point the future will start looking bright with possibilities BUT....the process can't be rushed. Until you get there...take each step as it comes.
Be prepared for triggers to appear when you least expect them. We've linked so many activities and situations with smoking...that it takes a year...a full turn of the seasons, to expose most of them. Even now...I'll still meet situations that will make me wistfully remember how I used to enjoy a cigarette. However, I've learned that once the association is broken, the situation is no longer a trigger to smoke. Try to look at this quit smoking process as wrestling your life free from the demon one activity at a time. The harder you fight...the more of your life is reclaimed
Life is a wonderful gift....and I'm not going to give up any more of it without a fight!
The second year.....
January 11 2002 at 7:14 AM
I can hardly believe that it's been a full year since I celebrated my first quit anniversary. That first year went by so slowly...but in the second year time seemed to return to "normal".
In fact...that was what this second year has been all about for me...getting back to "normal"...without smoking!
My idea of "normal" meant learning NOT to dwell on the huge life change I'd made...learning to accept not smoking as a given and dismissing any thoughts of smoking as ridiculous.It meant developing quick HEALTHY responses to deal with anger, stress, grief and boredom. Responses that didn't involve thinking of or dwelling on the urge to smoke.
A few times this past year, that was an unreasonable goal... (Sept. 11th and my Father-in-law's passing)....but during those times I had everything I learned in year #1 to fall back on.
So, as I begin year three...I needed to come back to where I started and leave a thank you note for all of you who helped me along the way.
I don't know what this year will bring...but I do know that I don't need to smoke to get through it!
Thank you friends!
on your terms!
I'm cheering you on!!!
Cindy
1 YEAR (smoke-free)
Cindy
2 years smoke free
Two plus years ago I found Blair's site just by chance and I totally credit it for keeping me quit. I used it like chewing gum. The best thing was it was there day or nite just like my old habit, and for about a four months it was my sounding board and solace.