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1. efreeman75

   

   296 posts
   Registered:
   02 Apr 2018
   26 Jun 2019

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   A couple of weeks ago I drove to help an uncle who is recovering from a stroke.  After mowing his grass, we sat, talked, and reflected.  The topic of commitments and vows came up, and while driving home later that day, I thought about my decision to quit smoking.  It wasn't a fleeting thought nor a trivial attempt.  It was a decision, and once committed to, was not to be reversed.  It took a lot of willingness and acceptance to honour the first few days of my quit.  I had to realize and accept the laws of addiction in order to break myself free.  Willingness and acceptance are much stronger than willpower and strength, for they also involve knowledge and lead to commitment.  Soon I had invested so much in my quit that it was too valuable to jeopardize.
   
   There are gums, sprays, patches, inhalers, apps, oils, herbals, prescriptions, and a whole host of other marketed items designed to make our quits easier.  They may even have documentation and self-sponsored studies to 'prove' their effectiveness.  They all also note that they are to be used with willpower, so it is up to the individual.  But none of them can make you quit.  There is no 'Easy' button.  You have to want to quit.  You have to recognize that you are not addicted to cigarettes, you are addicted to nicotine. 
   
   
   19 years ago I made a wedding vow and commitment to my wife.  A vow that I took and continue to take with the utmost of seriousness.  500 days ago, I made a vow to myself to never smoke again.  I take this vow with just as much seriousness.
   
2. elke, quit coach

   

   21 posts
   Registered:
   14 Jun 2019
   26 Jun 2019 in reply to efreeman75

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   Hi efreeman 75,
   
   wow, what an inspiring post! I really like how you compare your commitment to continue being smoke free with the commitment to your wife, regarding the seriousness of vows. You are right, if you are really committed you are trying to do whatever it takes to make it work.  What a great attitude!
   
   Wishing you a smoke free life and many happy years with your wife!
   
   Elke
3. atp

   

   501 posts
   Registered:
   31 Dec 2018
   27 Jun 2019 in reply to efreeman75

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   You nailed it! 
   
   As with many other smokers I tried to quit multiple times over the years. This last quit was different for me, and like you, I was determined to quit and accepted that it was an addiction, I educated myself and got the support and plan in place to make it happen.
   
   None of the quit smoking aids will be worth anything if you are not committed. 
   
   One thing I remember reading in one of your posts was how your quit was way too valuable to you to blow over having a smoke or cigar. That crystallized what I was feeling and I have used that same phrase several times myself.
   
   
   
   
   
4. treepeo

   

   832 posts
   Registered:
   29 Nov 2017
   27 Jun 2019

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   Hi efreeman75,
   
   First of all, let me congratulate you on being a non-smoker for 500 days.  Way to go!  That is really terrific!
   
   You are so right about commitment.  When I decided to quit, I knew that some of my sisters and my good friends would continue to smoke and that I would have to deal with that.  But I made a commitment to myself that I was going to change my life no matter what by becoming a non-smoker.  And then, even though my lungs were screaming in pain and my cravings were off the charts, I realized that I had come too far to blow it.  I had too much invested and there was no turning back.  And like you, my quit was too valuable to me to give it up.
   
   You made a decision 500 days ago to quit smoking, and despite all of the obstacles, you stuck with your decision.  And isn't it amazing how wonderful it is to live life as a non-smoker? 
   
   You know, I still can't get over it.  To me it is a wondrous thing, and something I never thought I could achieve.  To be honest, no one I know thought I would ever quit, but here I am.  And even though my lungs start to ache occasionally, I just say no way, it's not worth it, and I move on.
   
   Kudos to you for making a commitment and sticking with it, efreeman75.  I hope you do something to celebrate this huge milestone!  
   
5. grace, quit coach

   

   22 posts
   Registered:
   13 Jun 2019
   27 Jun 2019

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   Hi all,
   
   It's so true that some of the hardest decisions we make in life are the ones to live according to our values when those values might differentiate us from those around us. You were all brave enough to take that leap when you committed to your quit and I'm sure your bravery to stay true to yourself is a big part of what got you to day 500 efreeman75.
   
   Thanks for sharing.
   
   Grace