Today marks 40 days of being smoke free - my how time flies when you are keeping busy! From my calculations I have saved about $160 which is a lot of money when you are living off loans. Additionally I'm starting to feel better about myself, my health and my future, which is what prompted my blog yesterday. I'm glad so many people responded so positively to my message that your body is a wonderful being and you deserve the best, so keep yourself smoke free. Its nice to actually focus ont eh positives and be optimistic for once, instead of my former pessimistic self, who would have never believed I've made it 40 days.
40 is a pecial number for me, I guess its all the religious upbringing that rolls around in the back of my head, even though I no longer practice. 40 is a big number in Judeo-Christian religion - 40 = number of years Moses was lost in the desert, 40 days was how long the great flood lasted (remember the ark?), and 40 days is the number of days that Jesus wandered the desert in order to purify himself before his public ministry. So, perhaps this has been my prooving ground, these last 40 days. I am by no means comparing myself to Jesus (I'm not that full of myself). But to travel a similar struggling journey, and to purge myself of poisons, and to finally see the horizon after 40 long days at sea (when some days hope seemed lost), means to me that I have been tested, and I have succeeded.
What a better way to celebrate 40 days of this ourney then by meeting some fellow Ex'ers right here in DC. Albeit, I was only on day 39 (since we met up yesterday), but it was still a great time meeting the people who I look up to and who read my blog and understand my experience. This is unlike anyone who I normally surround myself, because med students dont smoke, and never understand what quitting an additction would be like. They see others struggle with addiction, but can never relate or have empathy in such a situation. But here was my chance to meet Sky Girl and Brenda M for a fun brunch with mimosas, good food and new friends. It was great to talk about our shared experiences, our life journies, our struggles and our successes - and even better to do so over alcohol and eggs! It was just a great time to meet friends and commiserate. So glad to have them as friends and I look forward to our continued friendship!
So, to those out there who are just starting their journey of quitting - know that this site will help you with your success, and you can find friends who you never thought you would have, and you can actually do this quit thing - its a challenge but it is doable. Challenge yourself to succeed and the world is your oyster - quit smoking so that you can live your life to its fullest - you are worth it!
