Sly's 6 Month Smoke Free Milestone Speech

"Life gets so much better if you give things enough time..."

This milestone is very special to me. I knew it would be because my only previous quit a dozen years ago lasted five and a half months. Now at six months I am treading on virgin territory and am a very happy camper. I have finally found the “peace” that Anna and so many others talked about occurring around the four month point. Hmmm … perhaps I cheated myself out of two months’ peace by deliberately setting the goal at six months!

I have had no real cravings in quite a while now. Occasionally a thought or a memory will come to mind, but absolutely nothing that could qualify as an urge or a craving. It is just a fleeting “Ah yes, I used to smoke once!” And did I ever!! Two packs a day or more for 42+ years and I loved every minute of it!!

I want to thank this forum and its wonderful members for making the process as enjoyable as it was and, even though there were some major bumps in the road in the early days, it has been more enjoyable than uncomfortable. There are so many people to thank that I am sure I will miss some. For that I apologize in advance and want you to know that YOU are also included!

I learned to trust the “oldbies”: Terry, Anna, Michelle, Lesly, Donna, Kerri, Betty, Linda, Gaylene, Susie, Tammy, and I loved the banners from Larry B. When you wrote something serious to anyone on the forum I would read it over and over and learn from you and I thank you for that. When you wrote something loony, I laughed and thought one day I shall be there too! Thank you also for the laughter and for the looniness!!

I learned to watch and learn from the “intermediates”, those who were just ahead of me and whose experiences I would soon be following, especially Dave (Sir Usta…), Antonella (Possum), Karen (Raven), and Sharin (milaaa). Your encouragement of others and your persistence in your own quits, in spite of some significant obstacles, were continuous reminders that attitude is everything and just never, ever give up. Thank you all for reinforcing such valuable life lessons!

I learned both to agonize and to have fun with my “peers”, those who quit at about the same time as I did, such as Deb (TTP), LoriLu (Crispy Jeanne), Kae (Eye-Drop), Deborah (the Incredibly Edible), Tweety (Toyota Hiccup Yoda), Margaret (Rotus Brossom), Syed, Carri, Linda, Gail, and Kalliopi. Whenever they wrote something I could always nod my head and say, “I understand that. I felt that. That is so true. How perceptive they are! How I wish I had said that!” Thank you all for your friendship, tolerance, sense of humor and camaraderie. I love you all!

There are a host of others too, such as Patricia, Phishie, Paula, Joj, Rosanne, just so many that I grew attached to for some reason that I might as well just list the entire Visitor’s List for the last six months!! You have all been so helpful and so generous with your thoughts, your feelings, your knowledge, and your willingness to be supportive to a total stranger.

For the fabulous crop of toddlers, newbies, and rookies coming along behind me, I should like to tell you to hang on with all your might! The initial anguish does subside. Life gets so much better if you give things enough time and you will start enjoying that life so much more! Never, ever give up!!!!! Use this forum for all it is worth; it is MAGIC!!!!!

Finally, and even more exciting than a six-month milestone, I may be leaving the ranks of those with a “hot” spouse in the house! My lovely better half has quietly started her own quit and is now at 1 Week, 3 Days, 19 Hours, and 11 Minutes. The dog and I are both keeping well out of her way and have all paws and fingers crossed!! Love to you all!

~Sly~ (Slysatyr9)