Day 4015...

... or, in other words, 11 years.  Well over 100000 cigerettes remain unsmoked!  On the order of $15,000!

Hi folks!  Every year, on or around  Oct 28, I like to poke my head in to say hello and give whatever encouragement I can to you good folks who have made the very prudent decision to remove smoking from your lives.  This NG provided much needed support and comfort to me during those first few months.  As such, I like to give what I can back, at least once a year.  Below is my "standard" yearly message.

I smoked cigarettes for 13 years.  High school well into adulthood.  Went through the usual several quits before succeeding.  I believe many successes involve some catalyst, some profound event that leads inexorably to the successful quit.  This is mine:

Tucking my 4 year old daughter in bed, the usual routine.  She must have smelled the smoke on me.  She gets a very serious, concerned look on her face and says "Daddy, ciggers (4 year-old-ese for cigarettes) are VERY dangerous, ciggers will make you VERY sick!".

Ouch...I walked out of her bedroom, into mine, and cried.  This undeniable truth, so clear, so simple, hit me like a brick.  Wisdom from a 4 year old, indisputable.

I woke up the next morning, threw away the smokes I had, and never looked back.

Quitting smoking was the best gift I ever gave myself and my family.  I feel better physically, and I don't have to worry about the long term consequences.  I have saved well in excess of $14,000 dollars.  

...And my daughter is proud of me.

Decide that you CAN.  Keep believing that you CAN.  Don't ever say or think "No".  You have every reason to quit, and no real reason not to.  When you feel weak, re-read these last 4 sentences.  MAKE yourself stronger.  Find encouragement in the ones who love you.  Hell, send me an email, I'll be glad to talk sense into you.

I would say good luck to you, but LUCK HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH IT!

Alec
Lisle, IL
alec@netsorcerer.c_m