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Celebrating Freedom Today
Celebrating 5 Years of Freedom Today!!!
From CHINA228 on 1/11/2012 6:14:59 AM
For 34 years I was a slave to my nicotine addiction. I didn’t know I was an addict. I thought that I smoked because I enjoyed smoking. I also believed that it helped to relieve stress. I told myself that I could quit anytime that I wanted to, but I simply didn’t want to quit.
Then one day at the prompting of a coworker I read Allan Carr’s book and some other materials about smoking. My eyes were finally opened to the reality of smoking, and I was stunned to realize that I was living with constant stress that was being caused by withdrawal from my previous cigarette. I was shocked as I became more aware and watched myself reacting to the anxiety I felt when I needed to get my nicotine fix. I began to see smoking for the mindless and deadly addiction that it actually is.
I didn’t know how hard it would be to quit, and I wasn’t even sure that I would be able to succeed. I just made a commitment to myself that I would remove smoking as an option and take it one day at a time. I decided to do whatever it took to support my decision to quit and distract myself from the urge to smoke. I kept a journal to help me remember how it really was day-to-day, and I’m very glad I did because there were many times along the way when reviewing that journal saved me from impulsively throwing away my quit. Sometimes I was very uncomfortable and couldn’t see the light at the end of the tunnel, but I just kept putting one foot in front of the other and trusting the Q elders when they said that it would get better.
Today I proudly celebrate my 5 year quit anniversary, and I am grateful for every single day of my freedom. I am so glad that I realized the truth about smoking. I am so glad that I allowed myself to fully use the information and resources available to me and rely on the support and encouragement provided by the Q. I am so glad that I stayed the course and remained smoke-free no matter what happened or how I felt. I am so glad that I gave myself the gift of total commitment to the process and allowed my success. Once upon a time I thought I could never be happy living a smoke-free life, but I have discovered that not needing or wanting to feed my addiction any more is a much better way to live.
I very much appreciate the inspiration and support that I’ve received from many wonderful people here at the Q, and I encourage all those still struggling to find their way to keep reaching for freedom. It is awesome!!
Sharon