Good morning Exer's! Every now and then I like to write about the imagery that I used during my quit. Many of you already know this stuff but for those who aren't yet familiar with the mountain, I will describe it again.
To me,Mt. Freedom symbolizes the essence of a quit. It signifies the struggles that we all must face as we escape our addictions. It's a tall, formidable looking mountain. After all, how could it not be considering what it represents. I used this mountain in conjunction with the “addict within” to help me to understand my journey into the unknown world of a smoke free addict.
I created this mountain just before the last day of my quit, and when I put out that last cigarette I visualized myself looking up the slopes of Mt. Freedom, seeing just how far away that summit looked and believe it or not, with a smile I took my first step on the path to freedom. I took that first step onto the slopes of my new life.
It was really during my preparation to quit that I created the “addict within”. This was to symbolize the endless nagging that an addicted mind can create. It symbolized the divided mind that we all feel at first and as such it allowed me to communicate to my addiction in ways that might not have otherwise been possible for me. I could tell that nagging part of my brain to shut up if I wanted to. I could see the addict and actually find myself laughing at it's antics. I befriended the addict because I always wanted to keep him close so that I could take away the element of surprise that he sometimes likes to use to derail a quit.
And so with the addict within in tow, I took those first careful steps up the path. Each step I took got me ever closer to the summit even though it looked so far away at first. As the weeks past I could see more and more of that beautiful summit growing ever closer. I kept my focus on the top of the mountain and only looked down the slopes to see how far I had come.
I navigated many a boulder field and slippery slopes to get to the top and as I got closer I saw a banner waving in the wind, beckoning to me. I longed to reach it! Now, almost running and literally dragging the addict within up that last leg of my journey, laughing because of the wonderful freedom I was feeling, I saw that banner again and do you know what it said? FREEDOM!!!
I saw myself standing on that summit and waiving the banner of freedom high over my head for all to see! I was so happy as I at last took a long look down the slopes of freedom and that's when I saw so many of you, following the same path to freedom. Climbing carefully out of addiction.
And so I climbed back down to fix ropes to make the climb easier. To help those who might need a helping hand over those slippery slopes. To lend a hand to any who might need it and I realized that I felt this way because I knew that no one should have to face the mountain alone. No one should have to wonder which turn in the path to take.
So keep climbing my friends! Look to the top of that summit where the banner of freedom awaits you! There is so much peace at the top of Mt. Freedom. And so much happiness from those who have already waved that banner high for all to see!
We're waiting for you at the top. We can't climb the mountain for you but we can sure help you blaze a path. I can't wait to see you at the top!!!
ONWARD TO FREEDOM!!!
