I choose life
forza d animo - Jun 09, 2005
The idea that you can't quit smoking is just nonsense. You may believe that you can't quit or that quitting is just too difficult for you, but you are wrong. You can quit, you just don't want to or you don't know how. Why do you smoke? Do you know the answer to that question? Have you read these articles? Why Do People Smoke?
You are a nicotine addict. You are a drug addict plain and simple; your drug of choice is nicotine.
- You don't smoke cigarettes because you like the way they taste, you like the way cigarettes taste because you are addicted to nicotine.
- You don't inhale hot, acrid, particulate carcinogens in the smoke of burning tobacco because you have a death wish, you smoke despite the warnings because it is a very efficient nicotine delivery method - You are very impatient when it comes to getting your fix.
- You don't wake up each morning unable to function until you have had a few cigarettes and coffee because you need nicotine and caffeine to survive, you are slowly diminishing your ability to survive with the tortuous cycle of nicotine and caffeine highs and lows that you put your body through - The more you smoke, the more you need to smoke (That is known as developing a tolerance, one of the tests for whether a substance is addictive.)
If you are a visitor here or are in the first few days of withdrawal from nicotine and waiting to apply for membership, know this: It gets much better and it gets much easier.
Life without nicotine is not a sacrifice, it is freedom from the death sentence you are serving voluntarily. Life without cigarettes is not difficult, it is an infinitely easier and healthier existence. While in the first few days of withdrawal, the relief you are seeking from the cravings lies not in smoking a cigarette to reinforce your addiction, but in denying yourself that short term relief in favor of life free of the bondage of hourly feeding cycles through a delivery device that has a 50/50 chance of ending your life early and if it does not, will over time, significantly diminish the quality of the life you live.
You smoke by choice. Decide that you can live without nicotine and you can. Decide that you are hopelessly addicted and you are. But if you step over to this side of the fence and look back from whence you came, you will never ever regret choosing Freedom.
I choose Freedom, I choose life.
Joseph
238 days
gavula - Jun 09, 2005
Joseph,
Wonderfully well put! Congratulations on hitting the nail on the head.
Anna
5 months, 16 days free
ZZRSteve GOLD - Jun 09, 2005
Well said, my friend! Nicotine addiction is very nasty (see Nicotine Addiction 101). Quitting smoking (or dipping) is doable and simple. Notice I didn't say easy ... I said simple. As long as you never take another puff (NTAP) or dip, you have a 100% chance of beating your addiction forever and never, ever relapsing.
If a weak, old addict like me can do it, then I know you can. It just takes a little resolve, patience and education. Like Joseph said, look at it like you're not giving something up but rather getting rid of something real nasty. Educate yourself here. You can do it. "Get busy living or get busy dying."
Steve
1 year, 26 days free. >15,000 not smoked.
Starshinegrl Gold - Jun 09, 2005
Joseph, you ARE a mind reader ... I was thinking of bumping up Attention lurkers (also known as visitors) yesterday and then you wrote your post!
I hope everybody looking at this string has read all the recommended links and has decided that they are finally ready to take their lives back! If you haven't quit yet: what are you waiting for?
Have a look at these as well:
No, it might not always be easy but it surely is doable (If you don't believe us, have a look at the testimonies of the Turkey's Triumphs) and you are so worth it!
Gitte
195 days and a bit
johnnynonic - Jun 09, 2005
Well put Joseph. Three more:
- I smoke because I like the flavor
- You smoke because you're a smoke-a-holic!
- Desperate addicts parade: have you ever...
Just Decide!
Today!
Never Take Another Puff
JoeJFree Gold - Oct 27, 2005
Still an excellent message that bears repeating. There are only two choices to make -
Pick up that next cigarette or pinch of snuff or piece of nicotine gum and self-administer the next in an unrelenting series of nicotine doses
OR
Make a decision for your life to preserve life to simply Not Take Another Puff or Pinch or Piece - Ever.
Choose Life!
JoeJ living Naturally Nicotine-Free for (wait lemme check) Day 290. NTAP!
John (Gold) - Jan 18, 2006
I choose life!
sondrat123 - Jan 18, 2006
Today I choose life too. I will deal with tomorrow when it arrives!!
Sandy
sandy -a nicotine addict who hasn't used nicotine for Twelve Days, 11 Hours and 56 Minutes, while extending my life expectancy 15 Hours, by avoiding the use of 187 nicotine delivery devices that would have cost me $28.13.
FoolishWorkinj - Jan 24, 2006
I smoke because I am a nicotine addict, not because cigarettes are my buddy, my best friend. "You don't inhale hot, acrid, particulate carcinogens because you have a death wish, you smoke despite the warnings because it is a very efficient nicotine delivery method. . . ." Thanks for reminding me.
marie1968 - May 05, 2006
I've heard it said time and again "I'VE TRIED EVERYTHING AND CAN'T QUIT" or "IT'S TOO HARD"! Those are excuses..... WRONG ANSWER......
YOU DIDN'T TRY EVERYTHING AND IT'S NOT TOO HARD!
The one thing you didn't try is going without nicotine (in any form) one minute, one hour and one day at a time for the rest of your life!
Everything worth having takes some work and commitment!
ISN'T YOUR LIFE AND YOUR FAMILY WORTH IT?! So JUST DO IT! and NEVER TAKE ANOTHER PUFF!! 3 days the nicotine is totally gone and FREEDOM begins! One breath, one minute, one hour, one day at a time!
Marie
3months 4days
forza d animo - Sep 30, 2007
Life without nicotine is not a sacrifice, it is freedom from the death sentence you are serving voluntarily. Life without cigarettes is not difficult, it is an infinitely easier and healthier existence. While in the first few days of withdrawal, the relief you are seeking from the cravings lies not in smoking a cigarette to reinforce your addiction, but in denying yourself that short term relief in favor of a life free of the bondage of hourly feeding cycles through a delivery device that has a 50 / 50 chance of ending your life early and if it does not, will over time, significantly diminish the quality of the life you live.
iwannalive - Oct 23, 2007
That is sooooo true. I related to the last paragraph. "you smoke by choice" I have decided to live without nicotine. I want my freedom. I choose to breathe and live long. Nice posting.
Diane - Free and Healing for Nine Days, 1 Hour and 34 Minutes, while extending my life expectancy 1 Day and 2 Hours, by avoiding the use of 317 nicotine delivery devices that would have cost me $101.57.
johnnynonic - Aug 24, 2008
You smoke by choice. Decide that you can live without nicotine and you can. Decide that you are hopelessly addicted and you are. Never believe for a second that you are smoking due to circumstance, stress or habit. You smoke because you are a nicotine addict. Choose to never take another puff and you choose freedom. Choose freedom and you choose life.
aryeh36 - Aug 25, 2008
This is an absolutely beautiful post.
Thank you johnnynonic, thank you.
Aryeh
93 days
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Knowledge is a Quitting Method
