Hello, Everyone!
Well, here we are, July 6, 2016. I quit smoking one year ago, today! Who knew? I wasn't for sure, but you were! You walked with me, held my hand, encouraged and supported me when I whined and cried and yes, screamed! Some of you even stuck up for Brandy and said that I shouldn't kick him to the curb, (before he was willing to quit) that I was the one that made the change. ACTIVE ELDERS is what I call you! I am grateful every day for you! You are the"WHIP".
Some of you that helped pull me through were not Elders yet, but you are now! I am very proud of you and I thank you so much for checking in on me when I was late showing up!
Wow! My world has truly changed! I didn't realize it at the time, but everything I did was wrapped around a cigarette, everything!
I have watched many that were here in the beginning of my quit that supported me, start smoking again. I have noticed that it is hard for them to come back. Most of them don't make it back! I have supported many that have gone back to smoking, it is hard for them to come back. Most of them don't make it back! Coming back may be hard, but it is doable! Here is something that Dale says that always comes back to my mind: KEEP THEM AWAY FROM YOUR FACE! This has worked for me!
To me, it was also the commitment, of course, I educated myself about the addiction and I was willing, but the commitment, holding myself accountable to myself and to you! I jumped in here and made all sorts of friends. I always felt privileged when a long time quitter added me to their friend's list. When I felt weak and wanted to smoke, it always came back to the commitment that I made to me and to you! I thought what would Jackie, Giulia, Dale, Nancy, Bonnie B, Mike n @lanta, Marilyn H., Sheri, Shawn, Ellen, Betty, Legend,Thomas, Barbara,tjanddj ,Joni , and Jennifer, think? Sheesh, I shouldn't have started all that, cuz I am probably leaving somebody out, and I would never purposely do that! But, what would they think? How could I ever come back? Please if you are out there reading and have relapsed, PLEASE, DO COME BACK! We will help you! Coming back may be hard, but it is doable!
Oh, how proud I felt when Giulia asked me to take the pledge page, you would have thought she gave me a million bucks! Doing the pledge page helps me stay committed to my quit! I enjoy pledging and watching others pledge! ("come join us!" I just had to say that!)
And to all of the inbetweeners and newbies: I want to thank you too because by supporting you I gain strength! (You are also very good at supporting me!) Don't Quit on your Quit! Jump right in and support others! It Helps!
From what I have watched and noticed, it's hard to come back! SO STAY! It does get easier, I promise! I do want to say: Don't ever quit quitting! Coming back may be hard, but it's doable! Many here have come back to be very successful, long time quitters!
Thanks again everybody, I love you all, and if I left anyone out feel free to kick me! HA!
I want to leave you with something that has helped me in all of my recoveries.
"The greatest joy comes from giving and serving. When you make the shift to supporting others in your life, without expecting anything in return, you'll think less about what you want and find comfort and joy in the act of giving and serving. This giving, loving, serving person is the real you.
---Wayne Dyer---
Terrie 365 days free = 1 year! The newest Elder, here, dancing all over the place, about to EXplode! hahaha! YAY!!!!!!!!!!!
I Won't Quit on my Quit!