You know, it is probably not because people are stirring the pot, but on a regular basis we have someone write about this place going to hell in a hand basket! It is actually a good thing that we have people so passionate about quitting! This is not written to be negative, and it is not aimed at anyone! But a thought process started, and I am going to share it! I hope everyone will think it through, take what you need and leave the rest! Or, let's discuss it!
Those of us who enjoy success here have had absolutely fantastic support! People who have failed had great support also! Some used it well! Some did not! Shortly before I found a home here, a group of Young Ladies who called themselves the Novemember to Remember group arrived! Some of them are coming up on 4 Years quit next month! Bonnie, Sootie, Debi, Molly! You had great support, and you shared it with so many others! I have to point out that not everyone in that group made it! There was a red-head called Butt-Kicker who come to mind! She comes back from time to time, and we all hold out hope that she will find her forever quit one day!
All of us came with our own group! James, me, Thomas, SuzieQ! My point is that very little has changed! Whatever group you came with, some of you made it and some did not! We all believe that the support we got was best! And it was! Because it worked! Whether we recieved tough love, or compassion, or a combination of the two, it worked. And that was best for us! But if the combo we got was the right combo, why did some fail?
The truth is that all the combos are in play today that have always been there! Some of the names have changed, but the support is the same! Every quitter knows that there is no such thing as a slip! It is always been a choice! It does not matter whether Peggy said it four years ago, or Sherly said it yesterday! The only people who call it a slip are the one who smoke! There have always been people who say that is OK! There have always been people who say it is not! I do not like reading about those who smoke, but I am proud to be part of a group who offers people another chance! And, I think that if we all are just honest with each other, things will work out well! We can't save everyone! But we do not have to run anyone off either!
Tough love still lives here! Sometimes people do not recognize it! Because it does not always sound like someone being tough! And, compassion lives here too! Both are called honesty! And both have a place here! We are a great group of supporters! Let's continue to do what we do best! Let us celebrate our successes, and not be dragged down by our failures! Tommy
