Aw guys, thank you so much for your kind words. I will gratefully and humbly wear the badge of honour with pride this month! It's a joy to be welcomed into the Hall, like my own gold star affixed to a long journey that's really only just begun.
Thanks to everyone who's given so much to me, and that's pretty much everyone here! Here's to you...
...to all the great SSC old timers who kept me afloat in those early days when I felt like I was sinking.
...to every new quitter whose steely determination and John Wayne-esque 'True Grit' always gives me a harsh reminder of what a difficult and brave thing it is to stop smoking.
...to those who slip and get back on the horse, riding and riding the open range til they find their time in the sun.
...to my mom, who followed in my qutting footsteps, soon to celebrate her own 2 years in June.
...and to the moderators of the SSC who have provided this forum and in doing so saved my life and those of so many others. You do not honestly know what a good deed you have done.
For you all I raise a glass and crush another pack in the shredder.
My style is to give tough love because that's the way I show love to myself. The only way I've ever been able to grow and improve as a person is to never allow myself to say 'it's too hard'. I will forever be asking people to look inside because inside is where we find the sword that slays the dragon. Inside is where we find our truth, and it's been such an enormous joy to find my own and to help and witness others finding theirs.
I've been thinking alot these days of the world we live in. There is so much to fear. But in this world of car bombs, wars, economic meltdown, gangs, kidnappings, the thing I believe it always comes down to, the thing we always fear most is the thing that presents a personal danger. We fear what can happen to us, to those we love. When that fear comes close we can either cower and hide or we can stand tall and take the risk that maybe if we try hard enough we will actually beat it. It's carnal. Do not corner an animal or they will fight back with a vengeance.
We quitters have dug deep and gone carnal on this addiction. As my hubby says 'we got medieval on it's a**'. That kill or be killed approach is the only one to take if we want to beat nicotine. Nothing to fear but fear itself indeed.
This is a fight we have brought on ourselves. This is a fight we must win. Today I can truly say I am celebrating a glorious victory.
I wish you all such such wonderful things. Thanks to all of you I am now all of ME.
x T
My Mileage:
My Quit Date: 1/1/2007
Smoke-Free Days: 1218
Cigarettes Not Smoked: 28,014
Amount Saved: �7,703.85
Life Gained:
Days: 108 Hrs: 16 Mins: 37 Seconds: 7
