Great post, Lady! Thanks a lot for this one. Patrick [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B]1/18/2008 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 37 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 925 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] $416.25 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 6 [B]Hrs:[/B] 22 [B]Mins:[/B] 14 [B]Seconds:[/B] 24

I wrote most of this post about a year ago. Last night I was going through some things and I stumbled across it. I remember how much this analogy helped me in realizing that I wasn't alone. There are many who make this trip up the mountain and few who actually reach the top. I was hoping it may help someone else struggling to know that many have gone before you. The trip can be difficult but you don't have to make it alone. Grab a hand and continue to march up that mountain. It is so worth it! Phil... We are sharing this mountain! I passed you just last week didn't I? Rachael... good to see you again. How are all the quitters in your family? It's been a while. BlueCloud.... I can see you. You are almost to the top. I should have known that by the time you were this far into the journey you would be looking around and enjoying the view as you continue the stride to the top. It's Sunday and I feel good. How about you? [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B]7/1/2005 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 968 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 19,360 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] $3,436.40 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 89 [B]Hrs:[/B] 14 [B]Mins:[/B] 18 [B]Seconds:[/B] 51

Hi mate Can I share your mountain please? me xx [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B]8/8/2006 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 565 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 12,430 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] �2,966.25 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 113 [B]Hrs:[/B] 20 [B]Mins:[/B] 53 [B]Seconds:[/B] 37

A fantastic post Lady ~ brilliantly written and so so true. All the best to you :) Rachel Three years, eleven months, three weeks, five days, 11 hours, 35 minutes and 50 seconds. 29129 cigarettes not smoked, saving �6,554.17. Life saved: 14 weeks, 3 days, 3 hours, 25 minutes.

Great post Lady. [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B]7/4/2007 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 234 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 4,680 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] $936.00 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 31 [B]Hrs:[/B] 13 [B]Mins:[/B] 56 [B]Seconds:[/B] 51

We use to refer quitting metaphorically to climbing a mountain. The ultimate goal, to reach the top of quit mountain. At the inception of this journey, the task seems impossible. Searching around we see there are others contemplating the quit as well. Suddenly we realize we are not alone. We stand looking at this monstrous mountain and can see others climbing. Some climb with ease and others appear to struggle. Regardless, no one is alone. Everyone is helping. Those ahead reach back to help those that struggle. We see some pushing those in front of them forward. Everyone has perspectives, ideas, encouragement, wisdom, and the same goal of making it to the top of quit mountain. We decide to go ahead; throw the cigarettes down and start climbing that mountain. If others can do it, we can too! It takes about a year to reach the top of this mountain. We must experience all seasons and face a multitude of life challenges. We look at those behind and are grateful that we have passed that stage of the quit. We look to those ahead and keep pushing to get to where they are. Along the way we learn a lot about those traveling this journey with us. We reach out and grab the hand of the guy struggling because of something in the path. We give a hug to the lady who just lost a loved one to lung cancer. We see the person ready to go back to the bottom of the mountain because it is too hard and we scream �DON'T GIVE UP� . We help the fallen quitter back to their feet and offer encouragement and understanding because we know that could be us next. We form bonds with those around us. For many, the thing keeping them quit is not wanting to let new found friends down. Knowing that everyone is counting on each other to get to the top. We are not alone in climbing this mountain. At one year quit, I stood on top of the Smokey Mountains in celebration. This mountain resembled so much to me. I called it the top of quit mountain. Below lied the struggles that threatened my ability to climb. The trees I saw resembled those that kept me going, changed my perspective, and loved and cared about me along the way. I cried many tears in my struggle to reach the top. So many things changed along the journey. There were times I had been angry, hurt, emotional, depressed, and totally out of control. Times of happiness, joy, accomplishment, celebration and pride. All of these emotions were part of the journey to the new smoke free me. To reach the top of quit mountain was to succeed. I will soon stand on that same mountain top in celebration of two years quit. The journey is so remarkable. That first year was so hard and the second like a walk in the park. I tell everyone that Quitting is a soul searching, life changing experience. Don't miss out on the journey of a lifetime. Climb to the top of quit mountain. Help those that struggle along the way for they will in turn help you in your time of need. To reach the top of quit mountain was by far the most amazing thing I have ever done in my life. Come on up to the top and enjoy the view. You CAN do it and others will help along the way. I now spend my days living on top of quit mountain. It is hard to imagine how I once struggled to climb up here. I fought so hard and now I simply live my smoke free life. One day at a time. That is how we all get here. [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B]7/1/2005 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 967 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 19,340 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] $3,384.50 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 89 [B]Hrs:[/B] 13 [B]Mins:[/B] 41 [B]Seconds:[/B] 59