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Share your quitting journey

EX - 4

Strudel
Member
3 12 20

EX – 4 in Las Vegas was a perfect combination of great times with friends, great activities, great food, and great sharing - as it relates to Become An EX! It was so wonderful to see Rick (and his family), Tommy, Cindy, Sarah (and her husband), Shawn, Stacie, Jim, Patty (and her sister and daughter), and Mark! It is really difficult to put into words the magic that happens when we come together as a group! I think we realize the true extent of the help we received on the site – and we also see that it is a circle….we help someone, that person helps someone…..and on and on. Plus, in continuing to reach out our hands, in both directions – we are actually helping ourselves as well!  As I said at the breakfast gathering on Saturday morning – it is so difficult to put into words. I then shared something that Tommy wrote as a comment on Jennifer’s blog about not being able to make it to Vegas. He summed it up so very well! Tommy wrote:

“…There is no way to put in words the feeling of watching the avatars come to life! It is so awesome to hug the people who have helped you reclaim your life! You meet people who seem to be your polar opposite, yet you are forever bound by the fact that you share a great accomplishment! You Quit Smoking! You took back those fleeting moments of life that you would have missed because you were off feeding your addiction when something wonderful was happening!

So many of us came to this site with no thought of how important the residents of this community would become in our lives! But, it did not take long to understand! At first we never gave a thought to actually meeting these cyber voices! But they became real people, and then real friends! And, one day you should meet the people that, in many cases, cared more about you than you did about yourself! Did someone say something that sparked your self-respect? Did someone show up for you when you thought no one was there? Did someone change your life for the better? You should meet them! They are the distributors of "Collateral Kindness"! They helped themselves while helping you! You have a bond! You should try to see them!

So if you are not doing Vegas this year, start pinching your pennies for next year! Coming to one of these get togethers will be a time that you will never forget! I promise!”  ~~ Tommy

We continued our discussion about the special connection we have here at EX – with “hands reaching out” to each other – in both directions! It reminded me of the song “Sweet Caroline” by Neil Diamond. So, with great musical assistance from Dale and Giulia, we changed the lyrics a bit! I can’t wait for you to see the video of all of us singing that song - along with Dale, Giulia, and Laura on Skype! In case you missed Giulia’s blog with the lyrics, I will copy them again below.                     

Be-Come An Ex

 

When it began, I was just young and stupid
Never dreamed I would smoke so long
I was its slave, it was my daily master
You helped me grow this quit so strong

Hands, touching hands
Reaching out, touching me, touching you

Be-Come An EX
Freedom never seemed so good
I’d be inclined
To believe it never would
But now I

Look at my friends and it don't seem so lonely
I filled it up with great support
And when I crave
I’ll let it roll off my shoulders
How can I fail when I've got you

One, touching one
Reaching out, touching me, touching you

Be-Come An EX
Freedom never seemed so good
I’d be inclined
To believe it never would

Be-Come An EX
Freedom never seemed so good
I’d be inclined
To believe it never would

(SO GOOD, SO GOOD, SO GOOD!!!)

I realize that due to work schedules, finances, medical issues, family obligations, etc. - not everyone can attend one of these trips – but, as others have said – YOU ALL WERE THERE!! 

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About the Author
I live in Greensboro, North Carolina. I have 2 cats - Monet and Holly. I retired from teaching special education in 2004 and then taught part-time until 2013. I quit smoking on June 12, 2010 after smoking for 40 years! I am amazed daily - still - by the glory of freedom!