~~My mission in life is not merely to survive, but to thrive; and to do so with some passion, some compassion, some humor, and some style.~~ Maya Angelou
You'll often read here that quitting isn't just an event, it's a lifestyle. It's a journey filled with changes, challenges, and personal growth. And it's only when you resist those changes and challenges and growth that you run into struggles and angst and relapse.
For me, my quit truly began when I decided that I wasn't going to be a victim anymore. Not a victim of addiction. Not a victim of others. Not a victim of life. I had to let go of what had happened over the years in order to begin to thrive.
Letting go of a lifetime of beliefs isn't always easy. It's so easy to fall back into the old way of thinking or feeling or behaving. That's why I surrounded myself with positivity. I woke with gratitude, I gave to others, I counted my blessings. I tried new things even when I wanted to run and hide. I laughed often. I found myself.
This may be total confusing to some of you. Maybe you think you have your life together and don't need to look at things differently. Maybe you don't. Maybe some of you think that you have every right to be hurt or isolated or shut down. And maybe you do.
That's the thing about life. It allows you to be any way you want. It allows you to create your reality. I chose to be a non-smoker who loves life. Who thrives. Who tries.
What do you choose?
