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Share your quitting journey

Victim or Warrior

SimplySheri
Member
4 3 59

~~Fate whispers to the warrior, "You cannot withstand the storm" and the warrior whispers back, "I am the storm."  Unknown

Addiction is going to try to keep you a victim.  "You aren't strong enough", "You aren't brave enough", "You aren't clever enough to quit."

And you may think addiction is right.  Quitting's hard.  You feel crappy.  You can't hold on forever.  You don't think you're going to make it.

But then you do.  You get past that bad, bad moment without lighting up.  You may feel scraped raw.  You may feel exhausted.  You may even feel like you're bleeding inside.  But you did it.

A warrior isn't someone who stands tall and cuts down everything in site.  A warrior isn't someone who has one every battle with great determination and courage.  A warrior isn't even someone who doesn't know pain or failure or discouragement.

A warrior simply hangs on through it all.  A warrior may just close his eyes and hold on for dear life.  She may bite her nails and pull her hair out and rail against the storm.  But a warrior doesn't give up and a warrior doesn't give in.  A warrior just hangs on through it all.

A victim gives in.  Caves into her addiction while crying she can't do it anymore.  A victim feels helpless and weak and unable to make a decision about her quit.  A victim may blame life or work or family or stress or illness or depression.  In fact, a victim doesn't even have to justify smoking, a victim will simply smoke.  And then say "I am starting my quit date again."

Most of us have been victims at one time or another.  I certainly was!!  It wasn't until I decided I didn't like to be a victim of smoking that the warrior came out with a roar   I challenged my addiction to do its worst because I WOULD NOT SMOKE.  Ever again.  The addiction tried to fight back but I wasn't a victim anymore and I wasn't having it anymore.  I was done.

Well, that's my story but each of us have our own.  Some warriors ask for reinforcements.  Others whip up the peace within and hold steady throughout the addiction fighting.  But each and every person who quit smoking is a warrior and a victor!

You can continue to be a victim.  Addiction is ugly and tough and doesn't fight fair.  Or you can bring out your inner warrior and refuse to bow to smoking anymore.

Sheri

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