This is MY story in MY words...
I came here this past May in search of some information regarding Emphysema, to help a loved one (my Uncle) EX Smoker, EX Minister. Stage 4 Emphysema, on oxygen 24/7.
On my mission to help HIM I was blessed with a FEW people on this site, who grabbed hold of me and held on tight, and pushed me towards my own quit. I won't name names, they know who they are. And the best part about them, they don't want to stand in the SPOT LIGHT and EXpect anything in return. Yet their hearts will feel my gratitude just by expressing my personal story to others.
I do have to mention Thomas, who gave me alot of help I could share with my Aunt and Uncle back home. They are in their 70s, they don't know much about computers, so that's when I began my search online to find answers for them. Thanks Thomas for all your help...
There's not much they can do for my Uncle. But he is truely proud of me for quitting smoking.
He is also proud of me for sharing my knowledge with others.
Like so many people, I was scared to let go of my "best friend" I didn't even know how. I originally set a quit date, but when it got closer, I left the site. I wasn't "ready" Thank God for Marcie who hunted me down and said OH NO YOU DONT YOUNG LADY... and brought me back. Im not the "tough love" kinda person normally. But thats what it took to get me to finally let go. She showed me something I never seen before,ME! The addict in ME. I quit smoking 5 months ago. It was a struggle in the beginning. BUT the one thing I wanted to share this morning is this: THE HARDEST PART IS LETTING GO.
Like when you jump into a very cold swimming pool, you can enter the water one toe at a time, brrrrr or you can just JUMP and get it over with. Thats what I did. and ya know what? I MADE A BIG SPLASH... I got angry at the "best friend" the cigarette. He is NOT your FRIEND. There wasn't anything for me to be scared of... what? just cause I knew the water was going to be cold?
OK yes, I had a FEW really bad days, and that first week was NOT easy.... butt
I wanted to quit smoking MORE than I wanted to smoke... then I did whatever it took to get past that moment. I rocked myself - held onto myself. I didn't have anyone to help me, or encourage me. I did it on my own...
WITH THE HELP OF MY FRIENDS FROM THIS SITE.
Everyday I log on here, and continue to learn from others.
Quitting doesn't have to be all HARD WORK AND TOUGH LOVE
Ambrace it as a New beginning... log on here to make FRIENDS and share some laughs...
join our PARTIES... we host parties and bonfires to help ourselves DESTRESS.. and to enjoy fellowship with other EX smokers. To get to know each other...
The site offers New Quitters "badges" as a small reward for achieving goals in your early quit process. Its BABY steps in the beginning and they should be rewarded. One day, one second at a time.
Once you quit smoking...
its up to you how to choose to live your life...
I chose to remain on this site to continue my own personal Journey, continue making new friends who I can have fun with, forget about the stress of my day, have a few laughs, help new members begin their own Journey and watch them achieve, what I found to be, one of the most challenging times of my life.. quitting my 30 yr SMOKING ADDICTION... but I DID IT and SO CAN YOU!
The hardest part is letting go... once you decide you no longer want to be a slave to this nasty Nicotine Addiction... take a BIG JUMP and just QUIT. Then reach out to us for guidance and support...
everyone here has their own story... this is MINE..
Im here to help anyone who wants it.. I offer my sincere, deepest, most honest and humble self. Tough love when needed, a HUG when it hurts, we can cry, we can laugh... most importantly we do whatever it takes
TO REMAIN SMOKE FREE
Im JoAnn .... I smoked 2-3 packs a day for 30 years...
I have saved $1594.27 by NOT SMOKING 6,377 cigarettes
