The Perfect Cigarette

[Giulia]

Marlboro 100s. Wait, no, Mores - those long thin, dark brown lovelies. Or, Balkan Sobranies, expensive, elite, spiffy, different. No, Marlboro Lights. Better for you. Marlboro Light 100s because you never got enough puffs with the regular size. What was before that? Hmmm, chocolate cigarettes? Those were good. Wish I’d stuck with those. Never did try a Camel unfiltered. I think that’s what my mother smoked originally. Though I did try something unfiltered at some point because I remember all those bits of tobacco all over my tongue. Yetch. Probably one I’d bummed. Never could get into the menthol ones. Seemed like smoking cough drops. But if that were my only choice - I would have smoked those. Tried clove cigarettes for a while. Thought, well, they’re not tobacco, they must be better for us, right? Wrong. Found out the sticky stuff (clove oil) they put on your lungs was far worse than the tar of cigarettes.

The perfect cigarette? I think to an addict it’s the next one we smoke. The one that alleviates the craving. And since all cigarettes do - is alleviate cravings - that perfect one is always that next one.

It’s amazing to me how many years I smoked. And it’s also amazing how many years I’ve now been quit. Fifteen today. Add in the 20 years before I ever started, and the 1 year quit I had in my 20s, that makes about 35 years I haven’t smoked in all my life. And 36 years I have. Next year will be the break even point. From then on I’ll have more smoke-free years than smoke-filled ones. That’s kind of neat to think about. Another goal to aim for.

We have to keep aiming for those goals. It keeps our quits active. And active quits are safe ones.

You know what I’ve discovered? The perfect cigarette is no cigarette.

Cheers to all on this journey. Keep your perfect cigarette the one that says NO on it.

Special shout out to MartyO on your One Year Anniversary (welcome to the /blogs/Giulia-blog/2017/06/18/elders-list-ao-december-7-2016?sr=search&searchId=1bf8b7e4-8b04-459e-b...‌)  and to Storm.3.1.14 on your Magnificent 7!  Great to be celebrating with you today!

[Storm.3.1.14]

CONGRATULATIONS, GIULIA!!!!

You're one of the trusty Elders who helped me understand that one cigarette is too many, and a million are never enough. Thank you!

I celebrate with you today, on our special day of days!

[Giulia]

Thank YOU for all the wonderful blogs you've written during the past seven years.

[Bonnie]

Giulia, Congrats on 15 years!!!!  The perfect cigarette:  I fondly remember purchasing single Shermans at the convenience store in college (also could buy red licorice by the piece)...Tareytons were my "beginner" deathsticks...smoked Kools in Hawaii for awhile; in my "elite" days I smoked Marlboro mediums during the work week and the most delicious imported "Vanilla Sweet Dreams" on the weekends. My last addiction was American Spirit organics (yellow pack)--stopped by the store this weekend where I used to buy them and the clerk asked if I wanted a pack...three years and he remembered what I smoked! 

I had preferences but would smoke anything when I needed a fix.  That's what an addict does...please let me never ever forget!

My daughter and I used to smoke cigs together--can't even remember what brand she smoked, it's been so long.  What a strange memory, but one I need to remember...

Thank you for all your wisdom and guidance here at EX.  You are definitely appreciated and valued.

Bonnie   ~1149 days of freedom from nicotine (and so much more!)

[JACKIE1-25-15]

Congratulations. You are correct. No cig is the best cig. The journey continues.

[YoungAtHeart]

WOW

just

WOW!

CONGRATULATIONS!

(and thanks for continuing to bring your unique perspective to our community)

(it is needed AND valued)

[Giulia]

Shows you how powerful this addiction is and how many varieties of cigarettes they made to entice us.  I remember Sherman's.  I may have smoked those a couple of times too.  But have never heard of Vanilla Sweet Dreams.  Sounds like something I'd be addicted to for life!  Kudos on your 1149.

[Bonnie]

Oh yes, those Vanilla Sweet Dreams...imported and expensive.  The paper was dipped in vanilla...I actually turned other folks onto them  and was so disappointed when they became illegal to import...only one store sold them in town and I asked about them for months afterwards...yes, definitely addictive!!!!!!!!

[Barbscloud]

Congrats on 15 years.  That's fabulous.

Barb

[Legend]

WOOHOO!!!  Congratulations on your wonderful quit. You know what an excuse sounds like and you’re not having any to smoke over. I’m cheering you on over here.

[Jennifer-Quit]

And a big Thank-you for all you do to help others!

[sweetplt]

Ain’t this the truth Giulia the only safe cigarette is the one with NO on it...You are such a great lady...when you have something to say, “it is good and to the point”....

Congratulations on of Freedom...and always giving back...You are one of the best elders...wishing you the best...~ Gotcha in my Heart...~ Colleen 

[WhispersQSMB]

Congrats Giulia‌

Excellent post

~Greg

[Trisha76]

Congratulations on your 15 years!. I too have appreciated and valued your comments as they have helped me many times.

[BobKatt22]

Congratulations on the big 15 Giulia!!!, I broke an 8 year quit 2 years ago now I’m back to 2 again. Some people just don’t learn

[elvan]

CONGRATULATIONS & MANY THANKS FOR BEING YOU. I cannot tell you the number of times when your wisdom has astounded me, you really are a gift to all of EX, l hope you KNOW that & that you feel the love coming to you, not just today, but EVERY day. Thank you for sticking around & taking so many under your strong & sheltering wings. 
Love,

Ellen

[SimplySheri]

Congratulations on 15 smoke free years    Thank you for being here.  This site is a bit better because of what you have to share and the world is a bit better simply because you are in it.  Happy 15, Giulia!!  May you enjoy many, many more!!

Sheri

[Sootie]

15 YEARS ??!!?!???!!!!! YAY YOU!!

In all seriousness----you have guided all of us on here for so many years and I know we are ALL grateful for your advice, support and the occasional kick in the butt.  On top of that I am honored to call you my friend. So, so happy for you on this huge anniversary. I hope it was a peaceful, reflective, beautiful day for you.......because you deserve it!

[Sootie]

Oh---and this is ALSO a REALLY GREAT blog!!!!

[Maki]

Congratulations on your fifteen year anniversary . 

[meWisconsin]

Congratulations on your 15 years of freedom. Thanks for being you and being here to help us along this journey.

Terry

(Started with Lucky Strikes nonfiltered. Thought it was the perfect cigarette. Boy was I wrong)

[AnnetteMM]

You helped me SO much when I quit over 3 years ago! I'm very glad to know you, and congratulations on your amazing quit years!!!!

I never could understand menthol, either. Felt like that flavor just got in the way.

[elvan]

meWisconsin‌  YUCK!

[Mike.n.Atlanta]

HUZZAH! 15 beautiful years! Congratulations my friend.

You have shown so many here in the right direction. Some you knew about & some you didn't. Someone is always watching our actions & attitudes & you never fail to put your best foot forward. Many have put off taking that step back because of your words & quititude. I hope to have your compassion & understanding one day.

I'm gonna need 7 more years to break even so I've got that to look forward to.

Oh yeah...Camels, Lucky Strikes, Kool non-filtered, Pall Mall, Chesterfields, Prince Albert, Bugle...these are all the non-filtered smokes that I tried or just couldn't get anything else at the time.

[Giulia]

Thank you all so much for celebrating with me and saying all those nice things.  Sorry I didn't drop back in yesterday, I was out most of the day and just couldn't get back here.  It really means a lot to read your words.  I'm so glad I'm on this journey with you and you with me.  It would be awfully lonely to go it alone.  Keeping your quit is the greatest gifts you can give.  Never let it go!  You all are in my heart.

[indingrl]

Guilia - WOW beautiful YOU

[indingrl]

[MarilynH]

I'm just seeing this now wowser woweeeeeeee Giulia a super duper CONGRATULATIONS on your fantastic fabulous beautiful glorious wonderful humongous ginormous magnificent amazing spectacular splendiferous stupendous 15 precious Smokefree YEARS! Whoo hoo whoopee hip hip hooray lets CELEBRATE because I absolutely love CELEBRATING MILESTONES YAY for Smokefree living and YAY for each and every YEAR WON.

Congratulations to MartyO on your awesome entrance into the 6% Club YAY for your 1 year milestone with many more to come  and a super congrats to @Magnificent7 ,I can't get the mention to work and a super congrats to Storm.3.1.14

YAY for Smokefree living LIFE really is Grand without a Cigarette in Hand!

[Cousin-Itt]

                    CONGRATULATIONS

  The only thing perfect is 15 Years Smoke Free Living

[Giulia]

Thanks Carl!