I was doing some heavier thinking this morning about smokers quitting smoking . In particular relapse quitters mostly but also about elders who stay engaged in quit communities . Why do we do what we do .
I know this is a very personal topic so you will not find judgement here . These are just thoughts that have run through my mind as well as questions I pondered about this morning . It really had me thinking about how one achieves their own personal success .
What triggers people to relapse ?
How does one deal with their relapse ?
Why do some relapse and others don't ?
Is it a necessary part of recovery or an expected part of recovery ?
Should it be expected ? If so why ? If not , then why ?
In what ways are we the same as addicts and in what ways is an addict different from each other . Are we the same ? How can one stop the cycles of slips and of relapse ?
What other kinds of cycles are there when we quit smoking ?
Slip cycles , relapse cycles , yo yo quitting cycles , site hopping cycles ( hopping from site to site ) pity party cycles , blaming cycles . What all does that mean and how do we stop the cycle of abuse we self inflict ?
Is saying NO enough ?
Will saying NO to smoking and holding ourselves ACCOUNTABLE to that rule work if we we etch those words into our mind day after day after day ?
What new pathway of thinking will you need to make change in your heart and in your head to stop your impulsive or repetitive slip and relapse quit cycle ?
Cigarettes do so much more than just physical damage and harm . You know that just as I do . One puff is how we all got started . JUST ONE !
Smoking caused a cycle of psychological and emotional dependency that gave us the false sense that our ability alone is not strong enough and we can do nothing without them . It's NOT true . We all possess qualities of value and purpose and gifts that can help one another and you are strong enough .
I wonder , what does a person think or how does a person feel who slips ?
How do they perceive themselves when that happens and what is their need immediately after ?
Is their immediate need forgiveness , to cover it up , to be honest , to lie , run , hide , because those too can be cycles that keeps us stuck . Do you need to stop those cycles ?
Do they think they are unworthy , not able, less than ? Do you need to stop thinking that ?
Perhaps if we can pinpoint the origin of our why we relapse we can avoid the relapse cycle completely .
I think of pain transferance ... a pain in your hip may not be a pain in your hip at all , it may originate from something else . Maybe it's your back that's the issue . Why do you really smoke ? What lie are you believing ?
I urge you to look for some answers today from within yourself .
What repetitive cycle of doing and thinking do you have to stop because it's holding you back?
What repetitive thought or action will help you stay quit ?
Stop the cycle whatever it may be today .
You are of worth and value and a gift to us all .
I hope you will share your quit story with all of us here and stay here .... there is so much power in testimony ... YOUR testimony matters ! Your testimony can make a difference in your quit and in others quits. You have a purpose ! You are of worth and value and you are worth quitting for .
Maki
one day at a time
one step at a time .
