:) [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B] 2/17/2006 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 209 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 4,199 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] $1567.5 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 34 [B]Hrs:[/B] 5 [B]Mins:[/B] 18 [B]Seconds:[/B] 12

Mr. Ed, [quote] we don't all agree and that our quits can result in us being over-sensitive and angry. [/quote] This is a true statement. Just as life is though, we all have our purpose here. We are a diversified group. Some quitters are good with tough love, some with encouragement, some with research, some with knowledge, some with compassion, some with a little of each, some with newer quitters, some with quitters around 30-60 days, some with quitters around 6 months. We are not all the same and that is why the diversified group works so well. Some quitters are better with males than females. Get the picture? We all help where we are lead to help. I know you are lead to help the newbies and that is great. Sometimes older quitters need encouraging too and there is nothing wrong with that. I try to help quitters where I can as well but I believe I am more helpful to those that are going through what I have been through. We all have a purpose here and that is what makes this family so special. Great to see you again. :) [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B] 7/1/2005 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 440 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 8,812 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] $1540 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 38 [B]Hrs:[/B] 19 [B]Mins:[/B] 54 [B]Seconds:[/B] 43

Thank you Casey for being an awesome moderator. I really appreciate you stepping up to the plate and all the hard work you do to keep this place focused on quitting. I know it isn't always easy keeping all of us in line :) [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B] 7/1/2005 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 440 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 8,808 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] $1540 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 38 [B]Hrs:[/B] 19 [B]Mins:[/B] 35 [B]Seconds:[/B] 29

It is important that when we quit we keep everything in perspective. The way we view life during this period is critical for success. In the beginning, we need to set everything aside and focus on being smoke free. Most people do not just put the cigarettes down and walk away from them without some discomfort during those first few weeks. Excuses to go back to smoking are plentiful during this period. As the quit progresses, those around you quit encouraging you and begin to believe you are �over� quitting. Life somewhat returns to a routine where smoking doesn�t cloud your every thought but those thoughts are still there. This is when a lot of quitters believe that �just one� won�t hurt anything. After all, you�ve done so well up to this point. Keep the quit in perspective folks. Just one is too many and one thousand will never be enough. Quitting is one of the most personal things you will ever do in your life. No one can quit for you. No one can lend you the strength and courage needed to get through the tough times. People can support you but even that only goes so far. The true quit comes from within. Farther along in the quit, the cravings cease and normality returns. When the bumps in the road come along a smoking thought or two will probably cross your mind. Again, perspective is important. We need to remember to look back at the progress we have made along the quit journey. Just making it through that first few days is HUGE! If we keep our quits in perspective we will not forget how difficult those days were and will be hesitant to repeat them anytime soon. The hardest part of quitting for me has been learning to deal with life on life�s terms. The crutch is no longer there but that doesn�t mean that we can�t get through the rough times just as we did those first rough days of the quit. We keep our chins up, keep putting one foot in front of the other and eventually we will be able to look back and see that we have made it through yet another instance without smoking. Developing coping skills to deal with life without smoking doesn�t happen over night and it is a continuing process. We don�t wake up one morning feeling like a person who never smoked that has a tool bag of natural coping skills. But� we do get t

advice gentle comment insightful understanding shared with courtesy and caring for all [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B] 7/4/2005 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 437 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 10,507 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] $1245.45 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 57 [B]Hrs:[/B] 6 [B]Mins:[/B] 7 [B]Seconds:[/B] 18

Lady, Touche'!!! An excellent post from someone who has been there.. in the trenches. A "never smoker" can't relate. It is so much about perspective.. and until you are in that position, you can never understand the importance of it. New quitters need to realize that quitting is a journey and one that is as much a part of your life as smoking was. Learning how to live life without that cancer crutch is one of the most difficult parts of quitting. It's probably where a lot of triggers come from. Yet, with the proper perspective, it is something that can be woven back into the cloth of your life. Good job Lady. [b][color=Purple]Be Strong. Be Smart. Be Quit[/color] [color=black]Joe[/color] [size=3][color=Blue]Knowledge Replaces Fear[/color][/size] [size=2][color=purple]Hoping for success without hard work is like trying to harvest without planting.[/color][/size] [size=2][color=black]Illegitimus non carborundum est[/color][/size][/b] [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B] 5/15/2005 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 487 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 12,189 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] $1193.15 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 85 [B]Hrs:[/B] 7 [B]Mins:[/B] 48 [B]Seconds:[/B] 40

:) Good post [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B] 2/2/2005 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 589 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 11,795 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] $2102.73 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 62 [B]Hrs:[/B] 10 [B]Mins:[/B] 41 [B]Seconds:[/B] 6