~~What you believe becomes your truth.~~ Unknown
I used to think I quit...only to fall back on smoking once again. I would say thing like "I'm going through a rough time" or "I just can't find a way to quit". And it was partly true.....I did go through some trauma and I really couldn't find a way to quit.
But not because of the trauma or the drama or the heartache or the miscommunication. I didn't quit because I was an addict who was not willing to admit that there was no excuse to smoke.....I thought of all the "reasons" I was smoking. In truth, I smoked because I was addicted.
People smoke. Rich people, poor people, ill people.....addiction does not discriminate.
Yes, trauma happens. Bad things happen. But I can either handle them with positive coping skills or I can fall back on my addiction and say things like "Life is tough."
I have healthy coping skills now. I am in a good place now even when things get bad. I choose not to smoke no matter what. And so I don't. It's not that I can't or that I haven't....it's that I don't smoke anymore. No wishy washy stuff here because it doesn't work for me. I am proud of my quit and proud of me for quitting. Not going to mess it up.
I hope everyone understands that quitters can never smoke again......NEVER. I hope that everyone understands that no one can quit for you. NO ONE. It isn't about quit clocks or elders getting mad at you or people being disappointed in you. Its about honoring yourself. Honoring your commitment to yourself. Its about your health and you taking an active role in your health. Its about you feeling good about yourself. Its about you understanding you matter so very much to this world.
Its about life. Your life. Don't wait until its too late. Quit now and mean it now. You are worth it. So very, very worth it. I promise.
May you find comfort in your quit and joy in your life,
Sheri
