My seventh and eighth month milestones...
...were memorable because the confidence I had gained from quitting smoking was starting to spill over to other areas of my life. Through this forum I have always been inspired by other's stories of the confidence that quitting smoking gave them to try new things. My new thing was to run/walk half of the Country Music Marathon. When my workout buddies suggested it, I said, "I can't. I smoked." Then I thought: key word smoked. Let's see what I can do. We started walking/running one mile three times a week, then two, then three and on and on. I could breathe deeply; I was not gasping or holding my chest in pain as I had in the past.It's incredible how fast our bodies respond once we quit smoking. We had worked up to nine miles when I injured my foot. I had to drop out of training. Was I disappointed? You bet, but it was alright. I knew I would be back next year, even stronger. Besides, I was feeling happy. I was already winning the race of my life to be a nonsmoker.
I was grateful I had quit smoking.
My nine, 10 and 11 month milestones...
...almost took my breath away with the quickness at which they flew by. Another month would roll around and I would find myself forgetting that it was "the 5th!" This, from a person who counted the minutes, hours, days and weeks when I first quit smoking. If someone early on had told me I would forget that I had quit smoking, I would have said, "yeah and pigs fly," but this truly was the case.Also around this time, I came across a little thread at the support forum called fitness. The cyber gym is full of upbeat, motivated people who are making nonsmoking fitness a lifestyle. We support, teach, laugh, buy shoes, and exercise our way through the different stages of our quits. These fantastic, funny fitness fanatics have made a difference in my quit program and my life. I treasure their friendship. In fact, one of these special ladies spent most of her Saturday night and countless hours previous to that making sure my signature and key were just right...thanks from the bottom of my heart, Sally!
From the beginning, I have always been struck by the extraordinary level of support, knowledge and kindness forum members offer each other on a 24/7 basis. Forum members have given me the gift of helping me know what a year of freedom from cigarettes feels like. My own gift back to the forum is simply my endless gratitude. It has been, and will continue to be a privilege to experience this journey with each and every one of you.
I am grateful we have all quit smoking!
Today, on my 12 month milestone...
I am learning that success is not a destination. It can be a beginning -- the beginning of a new smoke-free life. Graduations are called commencements for a reason. This past year has been a study in contrasts; up/down, happy/sad, scared/brave, but in the end, the most life-changing year I have experienced yet. It was frightening to change something that had been a part of my life for most of my life...but it was worth every uncomfortable moment!When I think of what smoking takes from us and what we gain back in one short year, I am in awe. You cannot put a price on the feeling that washes over you when you realize you are free from the chains of this horrible addiction. Some of you may have felt it for only minutes, hours, or days so far in your journey to a new life, but if we keep learning, growing and supporting each other, we can all know the peace that eventually comes.
