Well, we're well on our way to the full blown holidays, and hopefully everyone's nice and full of turkey and trimmings, and didn't get crazed in Black Friday (I never leave the house on Black Friday -- it's a tradition!). The next month will be full of preparations and more eating, and get togethers and all the connections of the holidays. This will be my second smoke-free Christmas and for this and every Christmas this will be the greatest gift I've ever given myself. I'm saving just under $3,000 a year in not buying cigarettes, and so there's even a monetary benefit. I'm not sucking up poison into my lungs, which is a massive health benefit. But the greatest gift I've given myself is not hiding behind the smokescreen. I've been able to face life with a much clearer view. It hasn't always been easy, but life never promised easy, did it? (I'm watching a movie and I swear, the mother just said to the daughter "Well, if it was easy, everyone would do it. Being hard keeps out the riff raff!")
So to the elders, the newbies, and all the in-betweens, I wish you the very happiest of holidays, the merriest of Christmases, the most joyful Hannukahs, and every other celebration we enoy during this special time of year. In addition to being thankful that I've quit, I'm also so thankful that I found this incredible community and feel welcome no matter when I stop in. Love to you all.
