N2K you are so right as always. Change would come but not in the same way. This change is so amazing. Sometimes it is painful and sometimes it is rewarding. I still believe it all to be part of the quit journey even this far down the road. That road continues.
Somewhere along the way the quit journey turned into the life journey and I really don't know when that happened. Someone looked me in the eyes this past week and said "You are a Leader". In my new job, I am a leader. One of my reasons for quitting was the fact that people in leadership roles do not smoke. I am in a leadership role and I do not smoke. I do not believe I would be in the same possition I am now if I had not quit smoking. I would still be on the deck singing the "woe is me" song to my best friend, the cigarette.
After all the smoke cleared, after all the pity parties, the whining, the tears, the anger, the depression, and the "ah ha" moments, I have found a journey of self-discovery. Everyday I am learning more and more about myself; still utilizing the help of so many from here. I never realized how much quitting smoking would change my life. I never thought I could do it. I am so glad that I was wrong.
[B]My Milage:[/B]
[B]My Quit Date: [/B] 7/1/2005
[B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 561
[B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 11,230
[B]Amount Saved:[/B] $1963.5
[B]Life Gained:[/B]
[B]Days:[/B] 50 [B]Hrs:[/B] 16 [B]Mins:[/B] 35 [B]Seconds:[/B] 38