Just because you think it........

[Summer-Rain]

Doesn't mean that you have to act on it.

Hello everyone!

Today I celebrate 185 days of being smokefree.  It's a wonderful feeling.  Even though I haven't smoked in 185 days I still have smoke memories every now and again.  I even still have smokemares.  UGH. Just because I have those memories/smokemares I don't waste my precious time thinking about it.  I always tell myself "I don't do that anymore and move on to something else.  For the newbies out there don't waste your time thinking about something you no longer do.  You stopped smoking to save your life. You can not avoid these memories, acknowledge them and remember...

Just because you think it does not mean you have to act on it.

The journey continues.

[Giulia]

Yup.  Just by focusing and letting your thoughts dwell where they shouldn't you can create a craving.  That's why it's so important to refocus as soon as you become aware of what you're doing. 

As you say, we cannot avoid the memories, but we can acknowledge them, move off them, and certainly not act upon brief desires.

You're doing great!

[godschild619]

Your thoughts become your actions if you dwell on them , that is what I am trying to avoid right now!! 

[Storm.3.1.14]

EXACTLY!!!! You smoked for over 20 years, so - yeah! - you ARE going to remember something that was that pervasive. How could you not?! We all will remember it for the rest of our lives...but in lesser degrees as time goes along. And, as you so wisely pointed out, memories are not mandates.

I can feel whatever I need to feel, but I can only DO one thing...not smoke!

[elvan]

Excellent Summer Rain, the craves become weaker and weaker and do not show up as often.  Congratulations on 185 days!

[Mrs.Rum]

Yup.  It's a memory, not a mandate.  🙂  The memories can/will cling on for an awful long time so it's important to separate the two.

Keep at it!