When we take that first step onto the path of freedom, we're generally confused about what might happen next. We wonder if we have what it takes to say no to ourselves when the real war begins. For some the first days are easier then might be expected while for others those first days can be a nightmare, taking every bit of willpower just to fight through to the point that we're happy to go to sleep. If we can sleep, that is.
I think preparation is key to a successful quit so long as we don't lose our resolve during this period. To me, this is a time to train ourselves for what comes next. The time to learn our triggers and how to deal with them. A time for education and learning our addictions. It's unusual that we smoke during this period and yet I've always believed that a strong foundation is the key to a successful quit.
And then comes that first day and since I'm hoping to be around again for a while, I'll describe something that helped me along the way for those of you that haven't heard it yet. I've always been a parson who believes in visualization, as in using a vision to keep the mind focused on a given task. This was when I created Mt. Freedom.
It is of course a very formidable mountain and on the first day of my quit in my minds eye I looked at the tiny summit so very far away, and so very high up some very steep slopes. As I gazed upward I realized that I actually intended to reach that summit no matter what it took.
And so I took that first step, and like all of us I was unsure of myself. And then I took another step on the path to freedom and another and another as the first days past me by. Soon my steps became more sure footed. I was understanding the journey because of what I'd learned earlier on the path. Soon I could visualize myself running up the slopes, sure that in no time I would be standing on that summit.
But like all of us, I'd sometimes run into a rock wall that I'd have to go around and on the other side of that wall I could see the snow fields that could make me slip back to the bottom. Not wanting to start over again, I'd find the safest way to continue. Each crave that I dealt with I saw as one of these obstacles. And each time another one of those craves past I knew that I had learned how to deal with the next obstacle. But one thing was certain. I was determined to reach that summit no matter how long it took for you see, I was so very anxious to feel that freedom that I so badly wanted.
I climbed Mt. Freedom with the addict within right beside me because I knew that to be aware of him would be safer then to try to ignore him. That way he couldn't sneak up on me as I turned a bend in the path, causing me to possibly slip.
Soon I could see the summit so much more clearly and there on the top was a large banner. By this time in my quit I had made it through no man's land and had a lot of experience as a nonsmoker under my belt. Just because I was close to my goal, I didn't get over confident and it was a good thing because every now and then the old addict within would turn and try to trip me. But now I could laugh at him and I saw him diminish in the sound of my laughter.
I did eventually reach that summit and when I did I waved that banner of freedom high for all to see because I knew that one persons success could help another to succeed and I wanted all below to see that banner so that perhaps they too could join me on that beautiful summit.
And then we fixed ropes so that perhaps if others are shown the way that it might be just a little easier for them.
It's true that those who have gone before you have blazed a trail for you simply by sharing our own experiences but the bottom line is that only you can take that first step. Only you can traverse the slippery slopes. Only you can one day laugh at the addict within and diminish his power.
And only you can take that climb to the summit, grab that banner of freedom and wave it high for all to see. And when you look back at this journey, when you look down those slopes that you fought so hard to climb. You'll be smiling for you see, in all of he excitement you never realized the peace that you now feel. You never realized how sweet freedom tastes and once you discover this then there's just no going back to the old world that we chose to leave in the dust.
ONWARD TO FREEDOM!!
