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Never Too Late & Cliches

Ladybug--7-3-12
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Never Too Late.png

 

It’s never too late to quit smoking or to choose to stay quit no matter your age, how long you smoked, or your current medical conditions without receiving some benefit(s) from it.  Health declines for most people with age some of which we cannot control but we all know there is a huge difference because of a person’s smoking status (or you’ve been living under a rock!) and this IS something we have total control over.  

 

How many of us told ourselves or heard the “old” saying when we smoked, “Well, we all have to die of something.  At least I’ll do it my way & die happy.” Raising my hand.  The difference is it’s no longer true for me ... or funny either.  It’s just a stupid cliche.  Of course it matters.  

 

You absolutely can influence (even halt) the progression of some medical condition(s) if you don’t smoke (think COPD).  You may not even acquire some conditions (heavy smoking is one of the causes of DVT Deep Vein Thrombosis) and you may even be able to eliminate some (like high blood pressure).  Keep smoking and its the same ‘ole same progression downward with time.  “If nothing changes, nothing changes.”  Another well known cliche but so very true.  

 

As different as your life may be as a smoker from a non-smoker now there may be a HUGE difference at the end of your life if you remain a smoker.  You may become dependent upon the environments you find yourself in (hospital, assisted care, even your home) and the people who support you.  Will they be willing to get & give you your drug of choice (cigs/nicotine).  You may be dependent upon when, where & how much time you are even given to smoke.  

 

Do you think it will be pleasant to be actively addicted if you have no control over what it takes to be able to smoke?  Do you think it will be easy going through nicotine withdrawal every 30 mins or so of your every waking moments if you can’t smoke while dealing with the other changes you are going through physically, emotionally, and mentally?  

 

Wouldn’t it be much easier transitioning through your life changes if you had the old “ball and chain” of addiction off your back?  Think about it.  We will all be quit in the end.  Wouldn’t you rather pick the how & when and circumstances of your own quit rather than live the "it is what it is" in this situation?  

 

Choose to quit NOW to get that “monkey off your back”.  Choose to stay quit to continue to accrue more benefits from not smoking.  Give yourself a chance to make a better ending for yourself.  It's never too late!

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About the Author
My quit is over for me. I no longer have to decide to stay smoke free, or reconsider it each & every day (or month or year). The choice to not smoke was made by me a long time ago, it’s been kept by me for a while, and being smoke free is now my normal way of living. Yes, I took smoking again off the table for me as an option from Day One/Won. Yes, I acknowledge that I will always be physically addicted to nicotine. Yes, I know I can’t have “even” just one or I will put myself at risk of a return to full-fledged smoking again. So what?! I chose to quit smoking. So I did it. I’m quit. The only requirement in order to Stay Quit is that I don’t smoke. As long as I don’t smoke my addiction to nicotine lies dormant. I don’t crave one and if I get a smoking “memory” it passes easily enough for me now (time & patience!) and life goes on smoke free. Smoking is never a solution to anything. It never has been & never will be for anyone. Smoking just adds a new problem to everything else. There will come a time in your smoke free life when you’ll need to just stop quitting & let everything having to do with the old smoking you go. I’ve arrived. I am at peace and so very grateful for my smoke free life. When you get there yourself you will be able to take the training wheels off & just get on with the living of the rest of your life. This is when your “End Journey” becomes the "New Journey" you get to actually design & live out smoke free for yourself. It's doable for everyone regardless of their circumstances or obstacles. It truly is and it's worth every bit of angst it takes to "arrive". Believe in yourself so you can achieve it too. Change what smoking means to you (educate yourself about nicotine addiction!) and then just begin. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Just Begin … "Until one is committed there is hesitancy, the chance to draw back, always ineffectiveness. Concerning all acts of initiative or creation there is one elementary truth, the ignorance of which kills countless ideas and splendid plans: That the moment one definitely commits oneself, then Providence moves too. All sorts of things occur to help one that would otherwise never have occurred. A whole stream of events issues from the decision, raising in one's favor all manner of incidents and meetings and material assistance which no one would have believed would have come one's way. Whatever you think you can do or believe you can do, begin it. Action has magic, grace, and power in it." W.H. Murray The Scottish Himalaya Expedition * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Helpful Resources: http://www.whyquit.com (Educate yourself on your nicotine addiction!) http://www.quitsmokingonline.com/course (Helpful for mindset. Free!) https://www.addictionsandrecovery.org/post-acute-withdrawal.htm (It IS an addiction not just a bad habit.) "The Easy Way to Stop Smoking" -- Allen Carr (Works for some; find & do whatever it takes for YOU!) * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *