Quitter

I shared a book with a workmate today. It's a book that helped me change the way I look at problems in my life now. That book is called "The Easyway To Quit Smoking", by Allen Carr. A friend bought the book for me when I told him that it was finally time that I quit, for good. You see, I've been a smoker for the better part of 19 years. Of course I kept that fact from most of my family, for fear of constant worrying and much gnashing of teeth. So I was always, in one fashion or another, a bit of a closet smoker. I was always as conscientious as I knew how to be when I was smoking, especially around non-smokers. Of course, the most conscientious thing I could have done would have been to not smoke around them at all....but I digress. No regrets, no need to beat myself up at this point. I read an interesting quote recently that applies in this regard. It says (and I'm paraphrasing here), "Don't look back unless you plan on going there". I like that quote.
So this book I loaned...back to that. I had already snuffed out my last cigarette when I started reading the book. I quickly found out that part of the process was NOT to quit until I was finished reading the book. So I made a quick decision, one that I still am a bit proud of: screw it...I've already said to myself that I had had my last one...why start again just until i finish the book? Seemed like I would be somehow tempting fate. So I read the whole book, without having lit another ciggy. I'm here to tell you....it doesn't matter whether you smoke while reading or not....I'm absolutely cured of the nicotine monster. Truly amazing. As my dear friend Barbara said about quitting using the Easyway method, "It's been so easy, it feels like I'm cheating". And she's right. I couldn't be happier to be a non-smoker now. Not once did I experience the "pain of withdrawl" or overt crankiness since I quit. It's all about how you think about the process of quitting. It's not about why you shouldn't smoke....everybody knows that, especially smokers. It's about why you smoke in the first place....why you tried so hard to get hooked when you first started....and it's about recognizing that your belief in yourself as a positive force for change is important and true.
Since quitting almost 5 weeks ago, some friends have taken notice of the changes in my life. As have I. It really isn't all about the not-smoking either. It's about seeing the ability to change the things in your life that can, and need to, be changed. Since I quit, I've actually been in touch with the part of me that likes writing. Finally...good lord, it's been a long long time since I sat with that chap and talked awhile. The conversation is going really really well so far. I'll keep you updated.
But anyway, nothing too poignant or deep today. Just a reflection on an important step to be coming more true to myself. I suppose that's what this blog is for as well....so perhaps it's just all falling together at just the right time.
It's good to smile a bit at your own accomplishments from time to time. Especially the ones that are making you feel so damn good.