There are so many successful quitters this year and I am indeed proud of all of you. There seems to be a new determination to stop smoking and it is a real treat to watch you all succeed and share your selves with the membership here at the SSC.
As 2006 draws close to an end, I have been in a reflective mood and I always seem to go too deep into life�s wonders and disappointments. Christmas is a time for giving, family, friends and new hopes for the coming New Year. We all want to give and receive that �perfect gift� for Christmas, don�t we? The gift for the person who seems to have everything is often the most challenging one to shop for.
I�ve had some of the words of Christmas floating through my head lately as Roxanne and I decorate the house and yard in preparation for the holidays. Words like joy, hope, love, good tidings and peace. It was that last word that got my attention � peace. We hear phrases like �Peace be with you� and �Peace on earth, good will toward men.� But we say them so lightly and don�t really digest them. And that brings me back to the �perfect gift. It�s free, you already have it to give, and it�s something we would all love to receive. That gift is peace.
I know that we have issues with people hear and there on our journey through life, but have you ever stopped to think about how a grudge against another person could affect them AND you? I�ve been on this side of being despised and believe you me, it�s no picnic. I like to get along with everyone if at all possible, but if someone hates you, what can you do?
The Bible says in Matthew 5 to ��go and be reconciled to your brother�� and there are 28 references to peace in the Bible, too. Doesn�t that show us that we are supposed to seek and give peace? Now I know that it�s a tough thing for people to do � forgive, that is � and especially to forget. This is particularly difficult if you�re stubborn.
But we�re all going to benefit for it, and what a great feeling it would be to have that heavy weight lifted from the giver and receiver. It takes a lot more energy to hate than to love. Love and forgiveness are food for the soul and just like hate; love can have a ripple effect.
We choose peace. We choose love. We also cho
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Quit Meter
$285,468.75
Amount Saved
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Quit Meter
Days: 6851
Hours: 8
Minutes: 22
Seconds: 42
Life Gained
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Quit Meter
45675
Smoke Free Days
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Quit Meter
1,141,875
Cigarettes Not Smoked
