As we approach "The Holiday Season", which is also "The Quitting Season", I find myself reflecting on the many things that I have to be thankful for! I suspect a lot of you are doing the same! If you are not, I highly recommend it!
What seems like an eternity ago, I came here, for the first time, on day 8 of my quit! I was angry! I saw an ad for this site on TV, and this looked like a great place to pick a fight, and vent my anger! I came here EXpecting to meet a bunch of liberal do gooders who would preach to me about how I should live my life! By their rules! But, that is not what I found! In spite of my best efforts, no one wanted to get into a "ruckus" with me! They just encouraged me, and educated me about my addiction! And, I found my forever quit!
I have given much thought over the years to what makes people stay here and help others! Some have become great sources of support over a period of many years! Others over a period of months, and some almost instantly begin to share wisdom, and participate in what I call "Collateral Kindness"! Helping themselves by helping others! These people stand out as beacons in the fog of smoking cessation! They reach out to pull those in who strugging for their very lives! What make these people different? I think I know!
These people do not seem to be divided along gender lines, although there are more women than men here. I think that just reflects the fact that men are more likely to keep things bottled up. Age does not seem to be a factor, Nor does race. It is not size, nor shape, or which side of the political aisle you are lean toward!
I think a lot of you here are old enough to remember the greatest horse to ever run circuits on a race track. The horse was Secretariat!! This magnificent animal won major races by margins that made everybody wonder what was so different about her. Eventually she died, and an autopsy revealed that the horse had a heart that was much, much larger than that of a normal horse. About twice the size!
I think that is the answer. As I look around this site I see so many people showing so much love and compassion for people that they may never lay eyes on. There are people who came and found their quits, yet stayed to help total strangers. I think that we have a huge group of people with very BIG hearts! There are some here that I see eye to eye with! There are some that I disagree with, most of the time! But I never question their motivation! And, I will always respect the good that they do!
So, today, as I think of the things that I am thankful for, this site comes to mind! I am thankful for all of you who have help me stay Free! I tip my hat to all who have helped make the Freedom Train an enduring symbol of our successes! And. I am thankful that through thick and thin we are able to offer safe harbor to those who encounter stormy times in their quits! I am thankful for all the hearts that combine to produce this huge heartbeat of FREEDOM!
As quitting season begins, I hope that we will continue to Focus on who we are, and be Determined to save all of those who seek our help! Thank you everyone! And I do mean everyone! Tommy
