My truth is that at the beginning of my quit, I couldn't understand the "freedom" part. It took many weeks, and gradually, I got a taste of it, and NOW, finally, I get it.
As I have explained to other smokers, you don't understand the depth of nicotine addiction, and how your whole life becomes ruled by your addiction, until your addiction is broken. Where you can comfortably go, and for how long, always looking for the "spot" where you will feed your addiction...matches, lighters, cigs, cash, how many of your friends smoke? or have you surrounded yourself primarily with those who also feed your addiction? Smoking buddies...we made friends quickly in our "spots" if only briefly. Cringing every time a new non-smoking law got passed. "I want a cigarette" "I need a cigarette" "I have time for a cigarette"
I no longer have to deal with any of that. Yes, it still crosses my mind "gee, this is when I would have had a cigarette", and then I am able to smile, and remember that I am free of my addiction, for now...and forever. N.O.P.E.
Freedom. That's the goodness for me. I will never go back to slavery!
[B]My Milage:[/B]
[B]My Quit Date: [/B]2/14/2007
[B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 121
[B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 3,630
[B]Amount Saved:[/B] $586.85
[B]Life Gained:[/B]
[B]Days:[/B] 16 [B]Hrs:[/B] 23 [B]Mins:[/B] 18 [B]Seconds:[/B] 22