It is great to see so many good friends here on the playground. I see kids on the swings, seeing how high they can go. I see others on the monkey bars, and a whole group in the sand box. So many new kids are here too, all working hard to stay away from that bully nicotine and get healthier and richer!
I see a few on the merry go round, spinning really, really fast. Some kids are playing tag under the oak trees. A few older kids are sitting on the benches, talking and laughing. There is something for everyone here at the Ex Playground.
I am here today, excited that tomorrow I will have the last cigarette of my life. I have been waiting for this for a long time, eager to kick that bully out of my life. I had set my quit date as June 1st so I could look forward to it, and let the excitement build. The day is almost here!!
And with all the help of the other kids on the playground, I will succeed. I will come here when I feel sad, or angry, or just frustrated, and the other kids will help me deal with the emotions that in the past I hid with nicotine. I will come here to help other kids, but it is okay for me to be selfish sometimes too and just come here when I need help.
Lastly, I will let go of the guilt (or at least try) of having 6 months of not smoking ruined by my turning to nicotine rather than asking for help here. Admitting that I need help has always been hard for me, and admitting my weaknesses even harder. I need all you other kids here on the playground to help me with that.
Now who wants to go play on the slide?
