Grace Celebrates One Year Smoke Free

"I decided to quit smoking as a birthday present to my mom..."

It’s a beautiful day for a celebration, and I invite each and every one of you to join me because you’re the reason why I’m still here after 365 smoke-free days. I stumbled on this forum on the 4th day of my quit and found the most incredibly supportive community this side of heaven.

This isn’t the first time I’ve quit smoking. Like they say, quitting is easy. I’ve done it hundreds of times. One of two things has always done me in before: stress or weight gain. I’ve had my share of both again this go round.

Hurricanes Katrina & Rita hit my state during the 4th month of my quit. Talk about stress! While the physical damage missed my area, thousands of my customers and numerous loved ones lost everything. The silver lining is that we’ve been reminded of what’s really important...family, friends, health. In short, the most important things aren’t things at all.

I’ve put on about 20 lbs over the past year. It’s been discouraging at times. But when you really get down to it, it’s a matter of priorities. For me, that means not smoking. Besides, I figure that if I can quit smoking, I can sure win the battle of the bulge.

I decided to quit smoking as a birthday present to my mom. She would have been 78 today, but the Nicodemon took her life 7 years ago after a long battle with emphysema. I would just as soon my children and grandchildren not have to watch me suffer the way she did.

Quitting is easy. Staying that way can be a real challenge. But I have learned the secrets to success. It’s about body, mind and spirit.

• I’ve joined a gym and started exercising. As the spare poundage goes away, my self-confidence and overall outlook are improving along with my physical well-being. I probably would have never embarked on such a program had I not quit smoking. Not a bad side effect!
• I’ve been exercising my brain more, too. I read more. I write more. I’m taking one of those classes I always wanted to take.
• And I’ve learned how to quiet my spirit without taking a puff through daily meditation.

Basically, I've learned, with the help of this forum, how to tap into resources I always had, but never used because I smoked instead.

Yes, I’ve been smoke free for 1 year today. But let me never forget those 38 years I smoked. Smoking IS an addiction. I will never be "cured". I'll never be able to smoke "just one". While I have regained my life, I can never venture too far from the basics and the support I have found here. Long live the Forumily!

So, I humbly offer my gratitude to God and to you for making this moment possible, with special recognition to all the April Ashkickers who led the way.

Let the party begin!

Happy Birthday, Mom.

~Grace~

One year, 6 hours, 46 minutes and 29 seconds. 6575 cigarettes not smoked, saving $772.57. Life saved: 3 weeks, 1 day, 19 hours, 55 minutes.