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One Year of Life Saved

Giulia
Member
1 21 7

 

A milestone for you may be the first hour on the first day of your quit.  It may be your first week, or your first month or your first year milestone that knocks your socks off and says to you "YES I can DO this!"  Or "I HAVE done this!"  They're all glorious - our milestones!  My milestone today is the one I've been hankering for, for several months now, when I saw it was close on that old quit counter I took from  Iquit.com so very long ago.   The one sitting on my computer desktop that keeps ticking away and says "I've saved XXX number of days, hours and minutes of my life." It takes around 10 days of not smoking  to be equal to 1 day of life saved.
Well today that counter says I've saved a 365 days of my life.   One Year!   That was hard earned.  Not as hard earned as that first week, but hard earned nonetheless because of the fragile nature of our susceptibility to this addiction.  Quitting takes attention, nurturing, maintenance and mindfulness.  And I am proud to have achieved this amazing mark on the journey.   And just as eager to reach my next major milestone which will be 10 years  in March.  I don't know what to aim for after that.  But I'll think of something.  Because milestones are important to keep our quit embers glowing.
Earning one whole year of life from quitting is empowering and humbling all at once.  Of course it's simply a "psychological gratuity" shall we call it.  Did I ACTUALLY gain a year of existence on this planet - who knows.  But it makes me feel mighty good to think so.  And THAT's what this quitting thing is about.  It's all in the psychology of us, how we learn to perceive things differently, alter our behavior, overcome obstacles, and persevere no matter what.  Quitting impacts and gives courage and strength to all areas and aspects of our lives.  Milestones say to us::  "You did it!" and encourage continuation.   Well -  I did it!  And YOU CAN TOO!
If you've quit for half day, you can quit for a whole day.  If you've quit for a whole day you can quit for two whole days.  If you've quit for a week you can do a month.  And if you've quit for a month you can quit for a year.  Do you see?  Do you get it?  One day at a time, one block upon the next builds your tower to Freedom.
Those of us with long-term quits on here die a little with each relapse that occurs and are regenerated by each success.  We so want you to understand the truth and the costs of this addiction.  I am grateful for my year of added life, but more than anything I want YOU to have that too.  All of us Elders who hang around here,  we want YOU to experience the freedom and joy from the slavery of this addiction.  But most important of all, we want you to be free of the physical affects of what so many of us have encountered when we decided too late and 'after the fact'  to make the commitment.
Please have courage and don't wait 'til "after the fact."  If there is any one person on here who can check the box that says "It wasn't worth it"  let's hear from you.  If you DARE!  Seriously though - is there anyone here who can say quitting wasn't worth the effort put into it?
Chins up and have heart everybody!
With love and thanks to all who share the journey.
Giulia

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About the Author
Member since MAY 2008. I quit smoking March 1, 2006. I smoked a pack and a half a day for about 35 years. What did it take to get me smoke free? Perseverance, a promise not to smoke, and a willingness to be uncomfortable for as long as it took to get me to where I am today. I am an Ex but I have not forgotten the initial difficult journey of this rite of passage. That's one of the things that's keeping me proudly smoke free. I don't want to ever have another Day 1 again. You too can achieve your goal of being finally free forever. Change your mind, change your habits, alter your focus, release the myths you hold about smoking. And above all - keep your sense of hewmer. DAY WON - NEVER ANOTHER DAY ONE. If you still want one - you're still vulnerable. Protect your quit!