Thank you for that Lady. Very well put and lovely to read. Gen [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B]3/28/2007 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 70 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 1,120 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] �350.00 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 9 [B]Hrs:[/B] 7 [B]Mins:[/B] 29 [B]Seconds:[/B] 21

Lady, What a beautiful way to explain the quit! You put it so eloquently, I'm just so touched by your insight!!!! Congrats on an awesome 2 years coming up and thanks so much for helping so many here, myself included. Is your avatar really you? I pictured you soo much differently from reading your posts. You are truly a beautiful Lady, inside and out! Again, thank you. Debbie [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B]10/26/2006 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 223 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 4,460 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] $836.25 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 21 [B]Hrs:[/B] 18 [B]Mins:[/B] 10 [B]Seconds:[/B] 33

Lady, I know that on your climb you went through a lot of rope, carabiners and a few pairs of mountain boots! Way to go! Excellent post and great analogy! I firmly believe that us veteran quitters have a responsibility to give back to this community in the form of encouraging posts and insights that can only be gained from our successful quits. Continued best wishes and looking forward to your 2 year anny post! [b][color=Purple]Be Strong. Be Smart. Be Quit[/color] [color=black]Joe[/color] [size=3][color=Blue]Knowledge Replaces Fear[/color][/size] [size=2][color=black]Illegitimus non carborundum est[/color][/size] [size=2][color=purple]Hoping for success without hard work is like trying to harvest without planting.[/color][/size][/b] [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B]5/15/2005 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 752 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 18,800 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] $1,842.40 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 135 [B]Hrs:[/B] 0 [B]Mins:[/B] 57 [B]Seconds:[/B] 32

Lady, Thank you for helping myself and others visualize the journey. That's just what it takes sometimes. Audrey [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B]1/16/2007 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 141 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 2,820 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] $394.80 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 13 [B]Hrs:[/B] 18 [B]Mins:[/B] 3 [B]Seconds:[/B] 7

Excellent post Lady! That's a wonderful description of our remarkable journey here! :) [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B]3/5/2007 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 93 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 2,325 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] $981.15 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 11 [B]Hrs:[/B] 9 [B]Mins:[/B] 18 [B]Seconds:[/B] 4

Well said Lady. I like the way you think. Our quit is a valuable possession that increases in value with time, not the reverse. Like anything unobtainable without strong will, a unique skill set and discipline our quit is a trophy. Our quit wasn't easily won and we didn't win it alone. There are many people who will lend a hand, shoulder or encouraging word to help us protect and keep it. They don't see something of value that can be taken for themselves, used to their own ends. They'll help because they want us to experience all the happiness and satisfaction they do, it's too big and wonderful not to share. Thank you for this thread Lady, I needed this. [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B]3/15/2007 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 83 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 1,660 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] $348.60 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 13 [B]Hrs:[/B] 9 [B]Mins:[/B] 49 [B]Seconds:[/B] 14

Wise words from a lovely lady! Thank you Phil xx [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B]8/8/2006 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 302 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 6,644 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] �1,585.50 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 58 [B]Hrs:[/B] 20 [B]Mins:[/B] 41 [B]Seconds:[/B] 27

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. [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B]7/1/2005 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 705 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 14,100 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] $2,467.50 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 63 [B]Hrs:[/B] 15 [B]Mins:[/B] 47 [B]Seconds:[/B] 43