What You Miss When You Smoke

[maynell]

I have four close friends who smoke and all of them were at my house for about 7 hours yesterday, as we watched the game and ate dinner. Even when I used to smoke, I never smoked inside, and neither can my friends. So, of course, they spent a good portion of the game out on our patio smoking.

As the game unfolded it was amazing how many great plays they missed. Some missed the over-the-shoulder touchdown catch by the big Bama tight end. Some missed our quarterback tiptoeing down the sideline for a clutch first down. They would hear the cheers erupt from inside, throw their cigarettes down and come running in, saying "What did we miss?   What did we miss?"  I really wanted to tell them what I thought they were REALLY missing by smoking, but didn't.

As I've come to realize, the decision to smoke is a personal one and the decision to quit is a personal one. My friends are smart people and I love them. All I can do is NOT smoke around them and I believe that, in itself, is my best statement against it. Perhaps they will put the sticks down soon. All of them know about me and the EX site, so maybe they'll look into it. 

For now, though, I must muster the courage to go outside and clean up over-flowing ashtrays and half empty beer bottles with soggy butts floating around in them. GROSS! Wish me luck.

May

[Breakinchains]

   Hi May,

  I've had similar experiences when  we've gotten together with family members. It wasn't at my house, but the same kind of thing happened. You are right about making a statement. Not just the fact that you've quit, but the fact that you are serious about it will get their attention. That is the most powerful statement you can make, at least without getting into an argument about it. I recall over Thanksgiving, watching my smoking relatives put on their winter gear (we live in Minnesota and it gets pretty cold here) and head outside. That felt like a victory to me. Maybe it shouldn't have, as these are my family members, people I love very much, but  it did. And they gave me a look or two that said "aren't you coming?" So I know I made a powerful statement, because I don't think  they expected me to keep my quit. You are a better host than me, I would have made them clean up their own cigarettes. Good for you on staying quit!

[Debi12]

HI May,

 Good for you yesterday..... no doubt they  were all envious of you as they were smoking out on your patio.  You're right they were missing so much ....... be proud of yourself....... you are showing your friends how it can be done!

Stay strong!!  

I enjoyed the game yesterday!!

[Nichiren-Dinzeo]

I totally understad what you are saying...at first its the observation of what you think you are missing by not smoking and then as you make it day to day with out smoking you start to realize that for everything you thought your missing there are many things you are getting back that smoking had taken away. 

[dawn4]

Great Post, May!  Thanks for sharing. 

[Mary84]

Ditto, great post!  I am a firm believer in live and let live and also a firm believer in being an example.    Hope you made it through cleaning up the mess on the patio.   Congratulations on your firm commitment to quit--wow, 27 days.  You are on your way!   Hugs, Mary

[ohiosheltielady]

Did you get it cleaned up?  This was written a few days ago.  Time for a new blog from you.  🙂  And yes, you're right it is a personal decision and everybody has to make this decision for themselves.  Of course your friends are smart people, and yet the addiction is so strong!  Even smart people get caught up in it and snared and stuck.  We were, remember?  Isn't it wonderful not smoking?  I love it!  Hope I'm smart enough to stay quit and not go back to that trap where I always fail, that "I can have just one now cause I'm not addicted anymore, so I can just smoke one and get away with it."

I can't smoke just one.  That always leads me back to 20 at some point.