As a lot of you know, I came to this quit kicking, and screaming, because my ability to smoke was under attack by my insurance company, and confiscatory government taxes, that discriminate against one demographic. Smokers! I still recognize the hypocrisy of a government that refuses to make tobacco illegal, but never fails to add a tax on it when they get the chance. But I digress!
What happened? On the eighth day of my quit I saw a TV commercial for this site! I came here, and joined, expecting to find a bunch of people with nothing better to do than tell me how to run my life! What I found was much different! I found a group of very caring people who just ignored my rants, and tried to keep me focused on quitting! After about a month, I gave up on starting a fight, and recognized the environment I was in! I discovered what I later termed “Collateral Kindness”! Helping yourself by helping others! What a way to quit! What a way to live! What has happened since then is a story all its own! Here are some of the things that have happened.
I have met people here who share and care about people that they will never meet! People who give to others, with no expectation of those people ever giving anything back!
I have found friends here that will indeed be friends for life! This in spite of the fact that I may never actually meet them! I have even met a person that could very well be the best friend that I have ever had.
I have witnessed courage in the face of overwhelming odds! I have seen people like Kellie, and JoJo who are battling for their lives, but find the time to try to save the rest of us from the fate that has befallen them!
I have witnessed faith! Look no farther that my good friend Dawn. The string of bad things that have come to her, one after another, is impossible for me to wrap my mind around! But every day she faces life with complete faith in God! There are so many others here who are guided by unshakable faith. They provide a sparkling example for the rest of us!
On, or about day 85 of my quit, I felt the pangs of a malfunctioning heart. For about a week afterward, I sat around waiting to die, and not really caring if I did. Then I met a Lady that encouraged me to quit sitting around feeling sorry for myself. She motivated me to get off my backside and go find a job! She convinced me that my life was worth living! Her name is Sheri, and I will always be grateful to her!
I have met great Wordsmiths here. They craft compelling stories to make this journey both doable, and understandable! We have fantastic Cheerleaders here who will always be there for those who are down! There are First Responders that welcome the new members to the community!
Most of all I have seen a community come together as a family, and work diligently for the common good. We have our disagreements, like all families. But in the end we are all here to support each other, and welcome the new members of the community. The Veterans, the Midrange Quitters, those that are in No-Man’s-Land, and those who are still new here! We all come together and contribute what we can! So, in the words of Indin Girl and so many others, “Take what you need and leave the rest”!
So, Thank You my Friends, for being my Friends, and helping me reach 700 Days of FREEDOM! This is a great community. There can be no better place to live! Tommy
