Just noticed - I quit for 6 months....

[spike99]

Just noticed....

I have been quit for 6M 18h 52m (182 days). I have saved $2,010.64 by not smoking 3,655 cigarettes. I have saved 1W 5D 16h 35m of my life. My Quit Date: 12/2/2006 10:50 PM. For many famous folks who continued to smoke, surf bottom of: www.tobacco.org/Misc/losses.html

As my uncle (who quit smoking 15+ years ago) told me.... In a blink of an eye, one will smoke free for 6 months, then 1 year then 15 years. It all starts by "saying NO. No more!!!!".

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[larrynz]

;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D
That means you can talk to us for many years to come

[spike99]

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When I reflect back (on my 0-6 months period), there's 2 major things that helped me "fight the intial cravings". They are:

The many people within: www.tobacco.org/Misc/losses.html

To this day, I still can't believe these many folks couldn't say NO. They had the determination\focus to have a famous career, many of them made lots of dollars (to allow them to hire anyone to better their health) but they couldn't stop smoking. Or when they did, it was too late. If smoking can bring John Wayne and so many other down (especially during the prime of their lives), then it could happen to me as well.


And there's one special story that always touches my heart. Even today. For details, surf:

www.copd-international.com/Library/Rosemarie.htm


Hope these "craving fighters" help you as well. If you still smoke, believe you me. One can stop. Its all in the stength of your own Will Power... Hope this helps others as well...

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[maryaz]

Hi Spike, Thanks for sharing the Celebrity List. Quite a list. It triggered some good memories but sad to know how they left. Many of them were in a time where smoking was still the in thing.

Money doesn't buy health or eliminate stress always.

Glad you quit. Thanks again,

[LindaNY]

Congratulations and hang in there. You can do it.

I smoked for almost 49 years and quit cold turkey on March 22, 2005.

My goodness, that is quite a list of celebs you shared with us.

[morningstar]

Spike,

Congratulations I am so Proud of you. I remember when you first started your quit you had a long ride ahead of you for the holidays and you were not looking forward to it, you posted how my story had helped you. And that gave me such a blessing to know it had indee helped someone.
I thank you once again . To list my name once again with so many great people when I don't deserve God's grace or your praise. But, I thank you much.
I hope this finds your special son and the rest of your family doing well.

[spike99]

morningstar said:

Spike, Congratulations I am so Proud of you. I remember when you first started your quit you had a long ride ahead of you for the holidays and you were not looking forward to it, you posted how my story had helped you. And that gave me such a blessing to know it had indee helped someone. I thank you once again . To list my name once again with so many great people when I don't deserve God's grace or your praise. But, I thank you much. I hope this finds your special son and the rest of your family doing well.

Some people say that "life" is like sticking your finger in a glass of water and pulling it out very quickly. For the first 5 seconds, that person's actions will make huge waves. Waves that move outwards, hit the side of the glass wall and reflect back inwards. Beautiful waves that are as short lived as fireworks flashes in the dark sky. Beautful at the moment but 5 seconds later in time, their memory becomes less and less. And over time, that specific memory is eventually forgotten...

Others say that life is like farming. The farmer works 12-14 hour days, struggles against the elements of nature, is beaten with bad luck and many times, is both physically and emotionally hurt. But by self power or an undescribable force, the farmer gets his/her needed seeds planted. Sad to say but very few people remember farmer's exact name. Many don't even know the seed's shape and its color but these same people always remember the wonderful fruit the successful seeds produce. The fruit that many eat "with a smile" and in the back of their minds, they wish the farmer would plant more seeds. More planted seeds that will create more fruit - for them to eat in the future.... These people eat, they are very thankful and in many ways, they do understand the struggles each farmer had to endure. One can easily feel your own unique struggles between each of your own words (in your article).

With this in mind.... It is I who must thank you for being the farmer. The farmer who planted your "this is why one must quit smoking" article. Against all odds and against all elements, your previous seed is now "paying off". A stranger (like me) who ate your fruit "many time over" and because of it, is now dramatically improving their own life. If I remember correctly, this was the sole purpose in why you wrote your article - 1 year ago. You may never become financially rich (like many farmers on our earth) and we may never know "you as a person" but the many folks who use your fruit, do better their lives. I can vouch on this...

Long story short... It is I "who must thank you".... It is I who must thank many people (farmer's in many ways) on this COPD Forum, and other COPD Forms. Please plant "more seeds" for others to improve their lives as well. It is worth it for many others in the long run....

thank you...

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