"Do Not Disturb! Brilliant Minds at Work!"

I don’t know why but this man (Wayne Dyer) speaks to me so well. I’m sure he connects with a lot of people and that is why he made it to where he did in his lifetime. It was great to read this as I settled in to bed. 

I haven’t had too many telling me not to follow certain goals. I think those voices for me have more been in my own head. I am learning how to hang a “Do Not Disturb! Brilliant Mind at Work!” sign on the door of my mind for those thoughts that try to distract or keep me from my dreams and aspirations.

Adam

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If you want to find a deeper meaning in your life, you won’t find it in the opinions or the beliefs that have been handed to you. Rather than trying to be what everyone else expects you to be, live your life by your own rules to be happy and find inner peace.

Your imagination is your own fertile field for growing any seedlings that you choose to plant for a future harvest.

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You may have been told that you have always been a dreamer, as if this were a fault. I can speak here from experience. Family, friends, teachers, and even advisors frequently disparaged ideas that burned brightly in my imagination. I often heard comments such as, “Wayne, you’re such a dreamer. Get real. You are never going to make it as a writer, or a television performer, or a movie personality. Be realistic—we know what’s best for you.”

When I was being discharged from the Navy at the age of 22, my superiors warned me that starting college at my “advanced age” was loaded with uncertainty, particularly since I had no higher education experience, and I would be competing with younger recent high school graduates. Since I already had a skill as a cryptographer in the Navy, they advised me to pursue what they felt was best for me. But I had a dream—an imagination filled with the idea of teaching, writing, and speaking to large audiences. I saw myself onstage. I saw myself as a prominent author. And this vision could not and would not be sabotaged by someone else’s vision of what I should or could become.

As a young boy in a foster home, I almost always ignored other people’s ideas about what I should be thinking or doing—I simply was indifferent to their opinions regarding what I could imagine for myself. I have carried this kind of inner discipline regarding my own imagination with clarity, refusing to allow external opinions to cancel or diminish what for me was hallowed ground.

Many years later, I was advised that acting in a movie was not sensible for me as a 68-year-old man with no acting experience. I once again remembered to hang the DO NOT DISTURB sign at the entrance to my imagination, and proceeded to take acting lessons and adopt the self-enforced regimen that allowed me to create a movie. It is a product that fills me with pride—all because I have diligently practiced the following rule:

Never, and I mean never, allow anyone else’s ideas of who you can or can’t become sully your dream or pollute your imagination. This is your territory, and a KEEP OUT sign is a great thing to erect at all entrances to your imagination.

Stay in a state of grace and gratitude for this resplendent gift that is always yours to do with as you choose.

— Dr. Wayne W. Dyer

303 dyz...Troutnut Repost

(My response to Troutnut's Post):

The universe is right and real in its connection. I have walked the same path and you have helped me dearly in putting down the bottle and the sickarettes. I'm tearing up right now in happy revelation that their are others out there that know what it's like. Those who have felt that same tug of war. I'm so thankful for your amazing words and I am one of your biggest fans. In the end I didn't go the AA route, but I did go to Nicotine Anonymous (though not on my last and final quit). I learned what it means to surrender, and to pray and to take it day by day. This place means the world to us and I'm always happy to have this refuge even if just knowing you all are here when I can't make it. You touched me deeply today and wanted to let you know how much I care and that we are out here. 

Adam 
any day smoke free is a day of progress
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Finally, it got nasty. Really nasty. I had known for a very long time that I had crossed it. Both with my smoking and my drinking. I remember knowing for at least ten years. I don't remember when it was that I crossed it exactly, and it certainly wasn't marked very well. You would think something that important, that life and death, would be marked more clearly and carefully. People could get seriously hurt not knowing. But eventually, I got it. I knew. Even though it was invisible, I could see it. And I was over. WAY over! What I thought were just a couple of bad habits turned out to be far worse when I took the cute little words and colorful sugar coating off of them. The medical and psychiatric field labeled my smoking and drinking as concurrent chronic multiple terminal diseases. Holy cow! Obviously now, I could see it was kind of serious. Far more serious than a few little vices and bad habits. This was a race to see which could kill me first. Alcohol or tobacco? A true dead heat! 

So I finally admitted, to my innermost self, that I had crossed the invisible line. And that it was killing me. That much was clear. And I knew that I had to do something about it Immediately. So TODAY, that was the day. But I didn't want to tell anyone about it. I didn't want to break any promises. And I definitely wanted to do it on my own! That much was clear. Nobody could know. And then after I had done it, THEN I could tell people about it. Just in case I didn't make it, you know? I didn't want to disappoint anyone again.

 But how would I go about it? That was the question. I just needed to figure that out. But my brain was pretty muddled with 30 years of drinking and smoking. So I figured out I better just have a drink and a cigarette first, just so my mind would function you know. Next thing I was passed out, or blacked out. And I had postponed it again. It was like the movie "Groundhog Day", only with beer, wine, hard liquor, and sickarettes. 

And so it went. The AA Big Book said "Therefore, it is not surprising that our drinking careers have been characterized by countless vain attempts to prove we could drink like other people. The idea that somehow, someday he will control and enjoy his drinking is the great obsession of every abnormal drinker. The persistence of this illusion is astonishing. Many pursue it into the gates of insanity or death." Ditto with sickarettes. Insanity X 2. 

 Several years later, I stood that those gates. Utterly defeated. I dragged myself to an AA meeting on 11/23/1998. I finally surrendered. A couple of years later I used what I had learned in AA to quit smoking on 2/28/2001. And that worked too. Quit-net was instrumental in my recovery and I stick around to share what I have learned, and bring hope to those who have crossed the line like I did. 

I don't know who this message is for today. Every so often I get a message from the universe that there is someone else like me out there. Someone who is on the verge of figuring this out. And re-creating themselves as I needed to. To the best possible version of themselves from the worst possible version. A metamorphous! I know this will be hard to believe, but millions of us now know it is the truth. You don't have to be a drug addict or a boozer to fit in and be cool. The new cool is being healthy, sober, and drug free. Even Hollywood stars are figuring it out. You don't ever need to make yourself sick with drugs or alcohol again if you don't want to. Reality is very cool. 

If you are home alone trying to figure this out like I did, then you are home alone with, and taking advice from, a drug addict. My experience has been that does not not usually work out too well. But here we have access to hundreds of good folks that have found their way out of the cave. And they can show you precisely how they got out. If you can just bring yourself to listen. If you are anything like me in these regards, your life probably depends on getting this right. Give it your all! Ask for help. Yell and scream for help if you have to. 

Your friend in Montana, 
Troutnut1 (dennis)

7 Lovely Logics ~Repost

I just like how simple this list is, how easy it is to follow and how it covers all the basics of moving forward, embracing life and embracing the quit!

Adam 
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These thoughts are for life...but anything that eases our stress or makes us laugh is worth reading! Hope this helps someone :)

7 Lovely Logics:

1. Make peace with your past so it doesn't spoil your present.

2. What others think of you is none of your business.

3. Time heals almost everything. give the time, some time.

4. No one is the reason of your happiness except you yourself.

5. Don't compare your life with others, you have no idea what their journey is all about.

6. Stop thinking too much, it's alright not to know all the answers.

7. Smile, you don't own all the problems in the world.

Sheri
d37

"I'll quit in January" ~Repost

I'll quit in January...

From Jersey1 on 12/11/2006 7:42:58 PM

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I'll quit in JANUARY; a brand new year. 

No holiday stresses, I'll be in the clear.

But January comes and what happens then? 

The bills all arrive! I need help from my "friend."

I'll smoke this one pack, it will help me get through. 

(But hey, in February, it'll be a new you!)

February arrives, time to set the new date. 

I'm ready to quit now – this habit I hate.

A few days go by, but alas, what is this? 

Valentine’s Day and no one to kiss?

I hate this damn month, it’s snow and its ice.

I’m lonely, I’m cold – boy a smoke would be nice.

So March comes along, I can surely quit now! 

I go buy all the patches my wallet allows.

I’m armed with my lozenges, fireballs and gum,

I’m chewing on Twizzlers and sucking my thumb.

But crap! I can’t do this. What am I thinking?

It’s St. Patrick’s Day – it’s time to go drinking!

And where there is alcohol and fun smoking friends

Is there in the tavern – and there my quit ends.

But hey here comes April! A new spring, a new start!

It’s now warming up, I feel strength in my heart.

I’m all set to quit now, got the patches back out,

Slap one on my booty – my resolve I don’t doubt.

Oh no, what has happened – it can’t possibly be!

The first warm day’s here, it’s 73!

My co-workers are meeting for drinks in the sun

And yes, once again, Nicodemon has won.

So May seems more likely, I’ll quit before summer.

I’ll work out for my bathing suit 

(feeling fat’s such a bummer).

Damn. I forgot that vacation I planned -

Margaritas are flowing, my toes in the sand.

You know that there’s one thing that would SO hit the spot –

Just a few little ciggies (I like them a lot).

Well June has arrived, and this time I mean it.

I’m sick of addiction; I’m ready to beat it.

I’ve been coughing so much, and my throat’s scratchy-dry.

Everyone asks if I’m sick (“yes” I lie).

Oh no – a phone call that all people dread.

A close family member who’s been sick is now dead.

Go to the funeral, everyone’s weeping,

I light up the cigarette I’ve kept for safe keeping.

I’m far too upset to think about quitting;

I’ll get to that next month (all things permitting).

July comes along with picnics and fun

And lots of Coronas, outside in the sun.

And everyone likes a good smoke in the eve

While you gaze at the stars and enjoy the warm breeze.

Well better enjoy it – this summer’s the last

Since I’m quitting for autumn, once summer has past.

(All August long I inhale the fumes

Smoke as much as I can as September’s quit looms.)

Here comes September! I’m totally ready.

My head’s in the game; I’m stable, I’m steady.

I pull out the patches that remained from the Spring

Won’t buy a new box yet (I’m on a shoe string).

I’ll invest in new patches once I’ve shown I can quit

Not wasting MY money ‘till I’m sure this one sticks!

Back to the Twizzlers, back to the gum,

Back on the Q, my mind’s getting numb.

Withdrawing again, seems the 10th time this year,

Why did I do this?!? I need a beer.

But I fight that urge and I really behave;

I’ve earned my 3 days now, I’m really amazed!

Oh hell, I’m hitting a tailgate on Sunday.

I’ll just have a few and then re-quit on Monday.

Well here comes October, autumn winds blowing,

Winds whip through the leaves, the air smells like it’s snowing.

Or so my friends tell me – I can’t smell a thing.

My nose has been stuffy – wow – since the spring!

Who cares about that, I’ll be just fine.

(Since when have I been someone who would whine?)

As for my quit, that’s not going so well

I mean who wants to live with that kind of hell?

I’ve decided that December 1st is my date.

Why? I want Thanksgiving to be great.

I want to enjoy a long smoke after turkey

Plus I’m entertaining – I need to be perky.

OK it’s December, the month of the quit.

I just don’t think I can put up with this $hit.

The holidays are coming, anxiety is high!

They're closing the books at the office – oh my!

Need a few more sales, put in extra hours,

Can’t focus on me right now, don’t have the power.

I need extra cash, Mom’s being a pain,

Cooking, parties and shopping, I need my brain!

Can’t afford to be sluggish, or grumpy, or tired,

I’ll ruin Christmas! I might just get fired!

So I’m thinking of New Year’s as the perfect date –

I’ll start the year fresh in a good mental state!

So there went the year – time passes so quickly…

Just realized I’m beginning to feel kinda sickly.

Remember this tale when you put off your quit

It never gets easier – you just have to DO IT!

*******************************************

Jersey

I have a mountain to climb ~RP~

A friend posted this today. It's one of my favorite posts that always reminds me to keep climbing, and to not hesitate when you know their is something you want in life! We sometimes procrastinate in fear of failure, success or loneliness. We must not hold ourselves back from accomplishing our dreams, passions and desires. It's one step at a time, one moment at a time. Keep the quit and see you at the top!

I TRIED TO CLIMB THE MOUNTAIN TODAY 
by Gary Barnes 

I tried to climb the mountain today. As I inched my way up the path, I felt overwhelmed, so I had to turn back. 

I tried to climb the mountain today. On my journey, darkness started to fall, and I was full of fear, so I had to return to a safe place. 

I was ready to climb the mountain today. But it was so hot outside, I thought I better stay in my nice air-conditioned house and rest up for tomorrow`s attempt. 

I was about to climb the mountain today. But I had so many other things to do, so instead of climbing the mountain, I took care of much more important tasks. I washed my car, mowed the grass, and watched the big game. Today the mountain will just have to wait. 

I was going to climb the mountain today. But as I stared at the mountain in its majestic beauty, I knew I stood no chance of making it to the top, so I figured why even bother trying. 

I have forgotten about climbing the mountain today; until a friend came by and asked me what I was up to lately. I told him I was thinking about climbing that mountain some day. I went on and on about how I was going to accomplish this task. 

 Finally, he said, `I just got back from climbing the mountain. For the longest time I told myself I was trying to climb the mountain but never made any progress. I almost let the dream of making it to the top die. I came up with every excuse of why I could not make it up the mountain, but never once did I give myself a reason why I could. One day as I stared at the mountain and pondered, I realized that if I didn`t make an attempt at this dream, all my dreams will eventually die.` 

 `The next morning, I started my climb,` he continued. `It was not easy, and at times I wanted to quit. But no matter what I faced, I placed one foot in front of the other, keeping a steady pace. When the wind tried to blow me over the edge, I kept walking. When the voices inside my head screamed `STOP` I focused on my goal, never letting it out of sight, and I kept moving forward. At times, I was ready to quit, but I knew I had come too far. Time and time again, I reassured myself that I was going to finish this journey. I struggled to make it to the top, but I climbed the mountain!` 

 `I have to be going,` my friend said. `Tomorrow is a new day to accomplish more dreams. By the way, what are you going to do tomorrow?` 

I looked at him, with intensity and confidence in my eyes, and said, `I have a mountain to climb.`

Excerpts from No Man's Land

Some quick and easy reminders while here in No Man's Land. We are a bit more on our own. Are shiny quit has been forgotten by others and the day to day struggle is wearing off to where when a crave does sneak up on us, we think "I should be over this"...and you feel embarrassed that you need help! Never have fear to get support! No matter how long you've been quit!!

Adam

"take a deep and honestly look at your past life... your life as a smoker and compare it to what your life is like now... and what it will be like in the future. You have to develop that vision of your future, of the person that you are going to BECOME now that you have freed yourself. You have to believe in yourself. You have to love yourself enough to deny yourself your addiction. 

Never never never question your decision to quit! This is the most loving thing that you will ever do for yourself. A few days of discomfort in exchange for a lifetime of freedom. You will never find another deal like it. Protect your quit. Don't smoke, no matter what."

KTFQ
Adam

Learn How to not Smoke ~Gummer RP~

Only way to learn how to quit smoking is....to quit smoking!

 

Have a great day!

Adam

D29 

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LEARN HOW NOT TO SMOKE

From gummer on 8/4/2007 10:32:55 AM

This may seem simplistic... but the only way to learn how to NOT smoke is by NOT smoking. Really, just like a bike, you have to ride it to master it.

Any time you smoke it prevents you from learning what smoking really does and what it doesn't. Smoking after quitting is like throwing yourself off your bike just because you THINK you are going to run into something, or you THINK you can't make that curve... If you do not throw yourself off the bike, and you make the curve... THEN you will have learned a valuable lesson and you will become a better cyclist. Same with quitting.

NOT smoking is what will teach you that the cravings will go away whether you smoke or not. If you smoke you'll never find out.

NOT smoking is what will teach you that smoking didn't actually resolve a problem, that it had no effect on that problem. If you smoke you'll never find out.

NOT smoking is what will teach you that you only smoke because of addiction and that cigarettes otherwise give you nothing. If you smoke you'll never find out.

You must persevere. You must NOT smoke. That is what is going to teach you pretty much everything you need to know. Smoking at any time will deprive you of that knowledge.

Gummer

PS: All the misery yoiu are enduring is not caused by quitting. It was caused by years of smoking. Smoking did this to you. It's high time you got your revenge.

PPS: Try not to see quitting as a deprivation. Because smoking is the deprivation. Think about that... think about all the things smoking deprives you of... starting with freedom and independence.

EMERGENCY REFOCUS THE QUIT LIST ~RP~

 This is a great repost to go over when you need to refocus the quit or shut the old junky mind chatter up! Always find the support you need and never give up! Smoking is giving up! NOPE!

Adam
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Today is a great day to get geared up and prepared for your quit process. 

Revisit your motivations: 
Why are you really interested in keeping this quit? 
What will you gain from being a nonsmoker? 
Is your quality of life important to you? Why? 
Who is supporting you through this? 
How will they support you? 

ASK for support and be specific about what you need! Revisit your quit process: What has worked well in previous quits? What has worked well in the past 15 days? Write it down! Do more of it. What has not worked so well? 

Stress issues? What are 5 things you can do that are relaxing and comforting to you? Write it down. Do them! Boredom? What are 5 things you can do that are fun and rewarding? Write it down. Do them! Depression? This happens, quit or not. 

Day to day life, moods in general, people, situations, lack of interest ...it happens if you are bored or stressed or dwelling on what you are missing instead of what you enjoy. Keep your activity levels up and reach out to friends and family. Do something fun or meaningful instead of dwelling on stopping smoking. 

 Missing cigarettes? When do you miss them? What are you REALLY needing in that moment? What can you do that is inspirational and of value to you, personally? Really think it through, write it down, and do it. Commit to practicing those new behaviors every day for the next 2 months of your quit process. 

Now, add your personal, well thought out answers to the following: How will you be relaxing and rewarding and unwinding and enjoying and comforting and entertaining and cheering yourself up each and every day? 

 List at least 10 possible activities. Do one of them every time you feel like you cannot make it without a smoke. 

How will you address habitual triggers like after meals, morning coffee, socializing, reading, watching TV, driving, between tasks and so on? List at least 10 possible distractions. Do one of them every time you feel like you cannot make it without a smoke. 

Remember, instead of doing 'nothing' ~ get busy! Create new rituals and new patterns and new activities and new habits and new thoughts to replace the old cigarettes and the current void. Practice actively living as a nonsmoker each and every day by engaging in these new behaviors and new emotional coping tools and new habits. That way, you will not feel stressed or bored or anxious or lost. And you will not start 'romancing' the cigarettes. 

If you actively 'Fill the Void', you will not have room or reason to miss smoking! Stopping smoking can literally save your life. It is well worth taking the time and effort to move forward as a nonsmoker! 

Good luck, keep up the good work, keep going and KTQ! 
Vikki Q Counselor

Embrace your fear...accept your quit ~RP~

I like this post that a quit friend posted today on Quitnet. Fear is a #1 subject with quitting smoking and the struggle. We've held on to smoking through thick and thin for years. Thinking we need it to get through tough moments or to feel ourselves. It is a corrupt illusion. It is a brainwashing and we have to embrace this fear head on to move past it and into our smoke free lives. 

Adam
D13
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 " embrace your fear...accept your quit. When a crave starts: Sit down...close your eyes... relax your body... especially your shoulders. Now..... allow the crave into your mind.... completely.... start to finish.....until it stops. It will take about 2 minutes... or so. It will be intense..... so remember....keep relaxing your body....especially your shoulders. Doing this will allow you to know what causes your fear/anxiety. Knowing this..... will allow your courage to grow. Do this with ALL your craves.....experience them... don't fight them. Namaste" 

~Bertram A.

Acceptance ~RP~

 Becoming OK with discomfort solves all problems of procrastination, anger, anxiety, regret, fear and facing the things you think are bigger than you. It also helps deeply with getting through cravings and on to the other side of addiction. 

BECOME OK WITH DISCOMFORT. Face it, invite it and embrace it daily!

Adam
D4
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Comments on Cravings

From Robert1 on 5/5/2001 8:08:23 PM

Good day friends.

Here are some comments on cravings from my experience. I hope they may help someone.

For the first few months of my quit, I white knuckled it and fought the cravings tooth and nail. However the demon is strong and patient - over time I found that I was wearing down and my quit was in jeopardy. I was afraid I would cave in. My prayers were answered and I was shown a new recovery tool - ACCEPTANCE.

I was told that I should accept the cravings rather than fight them. Let them wash over me and know that they will pass because cravings always do. Well once I started accepting my cravings, they lost their power over me and I knew that I was now on the road to recovery. My experience is that the cravings become weaker and farther apart over time. Mine just faded away and I haven't had a real craving to smoke for a long time.

A craving is a sign that the addiction is in trouble and is fighting for its life. Cravings are really signs of healing and recovery, even though it doesn't feel that way.

Refusing to accept cravings is what I did when I smoked. Between cigarettes I would go in to withdrawals, the craving would come and I would smoke because I would not accept it. If I accept the craving, I don't have to smoke.

Cravings always pass whether I smoke or not.

Nobody in the history of the world has ever died from a craving.

Ever since I quit smoking I have heard the stories about people craving after many years. Well that has not been my experience. I suffered lots of emotional ups and downs and horrendous cravings - but that has all gone by now and I am feeling great. I have not had a craving to smoke for a long time.

I recommend that we do not compare our quit to that of others because we are all somewhat diferent. Some of us recover quickly and others more slowly. The bottom line is that WE ALL DO RECOVER - Just so long as we don't take that first puff.

Your friend in recovery

Bob (aka Robert1)

Smoked forty years

Quit April 25, 1999

Autobiography in Five Short Chapters ~Portia Nelson~

listened to Wayne Dyer and his 10 tips to success in life.

His #9 was "Walk Down Another Street"

He had become friends with the woman who wrote the poem 'Autobiography in 5 short chapters'. Her name is Portia Nelson and she is actually from Seattle, where I'm from.

His #10 tip was "Don't die with your music still inside you"

This is a subject I've been thinking a lot about lately. I know I still have so much to share but my life feels it is being wasted in this limbo of addiction. It is truly time to take that other street and I know I am on it

I am honestly so touched by these things and these teachings. I feel like the universe is speaking to me and showing me the road map to my future. It's so cool to see how profound this poem is to Wayne, to my friend Cara who showed it to me and that it's what she's been trying to get through to me.

It's all coming together.

Adam

D4
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"Autobiography In Five Short Chapters"

by Portia Nelson

Chapter 1

I walk down the street.

There is a deep hole in the sidewalk.

I fall in,

I am lost, I am helpless,

It isn’t my fault.

It takes forever to find my way out.

Chapter 2

I walk down the same street.

There is a deep hole in the sidewalk.

I pretend I don’t see it.

I fall in again.

I can’t believe I am in the same place.

But it isn’t my fault.

It still takes a long time to get out.

Chapter 3

I walk down the same street.

There is a deep hole in the sidewalk.

I see it there.

I still fall in; it’s a habit.

My eyes are open.

I know where I am.

It’s my fault.

I get out immediately.

Chapter 4

I walk down the same street.

There is a deep hole in the sidewalk.

I walk around it.

Chapter 5

I walk down another street.

Quitting smoking,

living smoke-free, and 

recovering from nicotine addiction 

involve walking down another street.

Nicotine is NOT God! ~Repost from ME~

My friend Cara reminded me of this post I wrote. I have gotten so far off track lately, but this has helped me a lot. It's all true. I've spent so much of my time thinking about smoking, as if it's some kind of deity.  It's like I worship the butts. It's been a horrible relationship. One that's always made me feel less and feel like a slave. It's like Stockholm Syndrome. You are controlled by the nictator and over time are brainwashed into liking and having empathy for the one thing that has you caged and shackled. Free yourselves from this slavery!

Adam

D2

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Nicotine is NOT God

From AdamzfinalQ on 5/12/2014 3:30:36 PM

I can already notice who the smokers are at work. I mean I used to stand side by side with you rain, snow or shine. I even work with some people that say they aren't smokers and then I smell it on them....they are lying to themselves. It's funny to see how embarrassing smoking is to some people, because it's true. It's true how dumb you feel for letting something so insignificant control your every thought and every mood. I have done it for 18 years, and obsessively the last 9 or so. We know we are smarter...

I quit 13 days ago and the clouds are already somewhat parting on how ridiculous and wrapped up I have been with something that means nothing. Something that I was exalting up like some god and worshiping day in and day out in fear. I was a slave to that so called god in my head and knew it was wrong and that something needed to change...that life could be better. That's why I quit.

I'm only at day 13 and it's crazy to see how desperate people are to go out and get there fix. They stay in a bad mood and mad at everything until they can get out and get there 5 minutes of nicotine....AND THEN THE WHOLE DANG WITHDRAWAL CHAIN STARTS AGAIN! You can never stay in the NOW because you are focused on a 5 minute period ahead of you. It keeps you from enjoying life and being present with what is in front of you. I think that's what I hate most about this addiction. Never being able to enjoy life because this built up slave god has my full attention and nothing else matters until I re-instill my blind faith with a puff of that poisonous smoke.

This slavery goes on and on until we finally say NO to smoking and more importantly YES to freedom! We have to realize that we are the ones in control, and that there is no slave god in control of us. It is a powerless leafy poison that brainwashes us into believing we can't live without it. It is addiction, and we are hooked, that reality will never change. Doesn't matter how long it's been, our addiction is either alive or dormant, and I choose to let the beast sleep and to not wake it...one day at a time!

Adam

NOPT

A checklist for Relapse ~repost

Never act too Cavalier about any of these things! Square one can't happen anymore!

Adam
D1

A Checklist of Symptoms Leading to Relapse

1. EXHAUSTION: Exhaustion allows yourself to become overly tired or to develop poor health. Much of this is within our control. Some people in recovery are also prone to work addiction, perhaps they are in a hurry to make up for lost time! Good health and enough rest are important. If you feel well, you are more apt to think straight. Feel poorly and your thinking is apt to deteriorate. If you feel badly enough, you might begin to think a drink or a drug “couldn’t make it any worse”.

2. DISHONESTY: Dishonesty begins with a pattern of unnecessary little lies and deceits with fellow workers, friends, and family. Out of this may come significant lies to yourself. This is called rationalizing, making excuses for not doing what you do not want to do, or for doing what you know you should not do. Small deceits sow the seeds for major dishonesty.

3. IMPATIENCE: Impatience involves feeling that things are not happening fast enough, or that others are not doing what they should, or what you want them to do. Impatience involves having a hard time tolerating frustration and delayed gratification.

4. ARGUMENTATIVENESS: Arguing small and ridiculous points of view (“argumentativeness”) indicates a need to always be right. “Why don’t you be reasonable and agree with me?” Are you looking for a reason to take a drink or a drug?

5. DEPRESSION: Unreasonable and unaccountable despair may occur in cycles and should be dealt with and talked about. There are different kinds of depression. Some are part of the recovery process. All need to be talked out. Lingering and severe depression may need to be checked out by a professional familiar both with depression and the recovery process.

6. FRUSTRATION: You may feel frustration with people as well, because things may not be going your way. Remember everything is not going to be just the way you want it. You must develop new coping skills to cope with frustration.

7. SELF-PITY: “ Why do these things happen to me?” “Why must I be an addict?” “Nobody appreciates all that I am doing.” 

Self-pity is a breeding ground for negative and low self-esteem.

8. COCKINESS: An attitude of “Boy, I’ve got it made, I no longer fear addiction!” may lead to entering drinking/drugging situations to prove to others you have no problem. Do this often enough and it will wear down your defenses.

9. COMPLACENCY: One may become complacent and have thoughts of “Drinking was the farthest thing from my mind.” Not drinking was no longer a conscious thought either! It is dangerous to let up on discipline because everything is going well. A little fear and constant awareness of one’s thoughts, feelings, and vulnerabilities are good things to develop. More relapses occur when things are going well than otherwise.

10. EXPECTING TOO MUCH FROM OTHERS: “I’ve changed; why hasn’t everyone else” It is a plus if they do, but it is still your problem if they do not. They may not trust you yet. They may still be looking for further proof. You cannot expect others to change their lifestyles just because you have.

11. LETTING UP ON DISCIPLINES: Daily discipline includes prayer, meditation, daily inventory, and AA/NA attendance. Varying from this can stem either from complacency or boredom. You cannot afford to be bored with your program. The cost of relapse is always too great.

12. USE OF MOOD ALTERING CHEMICALS: You may feel the need to ease things with a pill, and your doctor may go along with you. You may never have had a problem with other chemicals, but you can easily lose recovery starting this way. Is is about the most subtle way to have a relapse. Remember you will be cheating! The reverse of this is true for drug dependent persons who start to drink. Once addicted to one substance the potential to become quickly addicted to another definitely exists.

13. “IT CAN’T HAPPEN TO ME.” : This is dangerous thinking. Almost anything can happen to you, and is more likely to if you get careless. Remember you have a progressive disease, and you will be in worse shape if you relapse.

14. OMNIPOTENCE: This is a feeling that results from a combination of many of the above. You now have all the answers for yourself and others. No one can tell you anything. You ignore suggestions or advice from others. Relapse is probably eminent unless drastic change takes place.

smoking NOT quitting causes suffering ~Gummer Repost~

Suffering?

From gummer on 11/9/2011 11:42:17 AM

Are you miserable, suffering from these hideous withdrawals? 

Are cravings and anxiety keeping you from functioning?

Well... this was ALL CAUSED BY SMOKING.

Feel that misery and let it sink in... it was ALL CAUSED BY SMOKING, not by quitting.

Smoking did this to you.

THIS... misery, withdrawals, anxiety, cravings... is what smoking REALLY delivers. 

This is what it has always delivered. 

This is all it will ever deliver.

This is what smoking IS.

Is that what you want?

The solution to your misery is very simple. 

Stop the smoking and you will stop the misery, the withdrawals, the anxiety, the cravings... continue to smoke and will continue to fuel the misery, the withdrawals, the anxiety, the cravings...

If you really hate withdrawals you are enduring now, why would you ever want to smoke again? Why would you even think of doing that to yourself? To feel worse? To be even more addicted? If you think about it logically, smoking will never make you feel better because it is precisely what is making you feel BAD.

Smoking is not the solution because it IS the problem. End the suffering now. You know what to do and how to do it. Use logic and reason and you will prevail.

Gummer

10 DON'TS To Help Keep the Quit! ~Repost

These are 10 rules that I want to keep close at hand so I am posting them in my blog! Impatience, Alcohol, self-neglect and negativity are all things I've struggled with and I have to stay conscious and on the ball....one day at a time!

Adam

 

Repost: Note from Gramma CeeCee;

I know this is a pretty long one, but it's got some really great stuff in it. It's probably one of the best that I've collected and put into my library.

Hugs,

GCC

138 days quit (Now 841 Days quit)

We all want this quit to be the quit. We're looking for permanent freedom from nicotine addiction. This article takes a look at some of the things

you should avoid when quitting tobacco. Build a strong quit program by educating yourself about the process!

1. Don't be impatient.

The natural tendency is to quit smoking and expect to be done with it within a month. Cessation just doesn't work like that. When you quit smoking, you are letting go of a habit that you've had for many years,

if not all of your adult life. It's only fair to expect that breaking all of the old associations down will take some time.Sit back, relax, and put some time between you and that last smoke. Have patience with yourself, and with the process.

2. Don't worry about forever.

It can be overwhelming to think you'll never smoke another cigarette.

Don't do that to yourself. Train your mind to stay in the here and now of today. This is where your power is, and always will be. You can't do a thing about yesterday or tomorrow, but you sure can control today. If you find your mind wandering in either direction, pull it back. Pay attention to your thoughts, and do your best to stay focused on the day you have in front of you.

3. Don't be negative.

It's been said that the average person has approximately 66,000 thoughts in a given day, and two-thirds of them are negative. We can be so hard on ourselves! Don't beat yourself up for things you can't change, such as the years you spent smoking. Don't look at past quit attempts as failures.

Learn from the experiences you've had and move on. Think about all of the positive changes you're creating in your life. Successful long-term cessation always starts in the mind. Focus on your purpose and develop an attitude of gratitude. We have a way of believing what we tell ourselves over and over. Don't feed yourself negatives. Affirm the changes you are working to create in your life, and action will follow more easily.

4. Don't neglect yourself.

This is a time when you should be taking extra care to make sure all of your needs are getting met. Following these simple guidelines will help you weather withdrawal more comfortably:

Eat a well-balanced diet. Your body needs good quality fuel now more than ever as it works to flush the toxins out of your system.

Get more rest. You will need it, and chances are you'll feel extra fatigue for a few weeks. Don't fight it. Sleep more if you can.

Drink water. Water is a great quit aid. It helps you detox more quickly, works well as a craving-buster, and by keeping yourself hydrated, you'll feel better overall. Drink as much of the stuff as you can manage.

Exercise daily. Walking is a wonderful way to get your exercise if you don't already have a favorite physical activity. It's a good, low impact aerobic workout, and it works well to keep cravings in check. Take a few 15 minute walks every day and see if it improves your spirits.

Take a daily multi-vitamin. Giving your body an extra boost this way isn't a bad idea for the duration of the withdrawal process. Cigarettes deplete so many nutrients. It may help you regain your energy more quickly. Withdrawal isn't a pain-free experience, but it is survivable, and it is certainly short-lived. Always keep in mind the fact that withdrawal

from nicotine is a temporary condition.

5. Alcohol and tobacco go hand-in-hand...Don't drink.

I probably don't need to tell you that alcohol and tobacco go hand-in-hand.

New quitters are tender. Putting yourself into a social setting where there is drinking too soon after quitting can be dangerous. Don't rush it. The time will come when you can have a drink without it triggering the urge to smoke, but don't expect that to be within the first month, or perhaps even the first few months. We're all a little different in how we go through recovery, so defining a specific time frame isn't realistic. Just be aware of your own situation. 

If you have an engagement coming up that involves drinking and you feel nervous about that, it may be best to postpone until you're feeling stronger. If that's not an option, have a plan in place for how you'll manage the event smoke free. Will you be able to excuse yourself to step our for some fresh air? Can you request that people don't smoke around you? However you decide to handle a situation, don't be shy about it. This is your life we're talking about here, and quitting tobacco has to be a top priority for awhile. Whatever you need to do to maintain your quit, you should do. Period! Remember, life won't always be this way - it will return to normal eventually.

6. Don't overdo.

We've talked about taking care not to neglect your physical health. Your emotional well-being is every bit as important. Stress can build if you're not careful, and before you know it, you're fighting a strong urge to smoke.

Early cessation creates its own tension, let alone all of the other things that come and go in our busy daily lives. Make sure you don't let yourself get run down to the point of exhaustion and that you take time every single day to destress with an activity that you enjoy. Whether it's time alone with a good book, a hot bath, or working on a hobby, make sure you incorporate some YOU time. Fatigue and stress are big triggers to smoke, and it can be a quick jump to feeling that you need a cigarette to cope. Plan ahead of time how you'll keep yourself out of those danger zones.

7. Don't take yourself too seriously.

You will have bad days. Expect and accept that. Such is cessation, and such is life. On those off days, make a vow to put yourself on ignore! Sometimes the best thing we can do is to get out of our own way. Our minds can make a small issue huge, and make a drama out of every little thing if our moods are out of whack. When you have a bad day, use it as an excuse to pamper yourself excessively. I say that in all seriousness. Be good to yourself and put your thoughts on hold. Decide to wait and see what tomorrow will bring. Nine times out of ten you'll wake up feeling 100% better, and I promise you you'll be grateful to still be smoke free.

8. Don't be afraid to ask for help.

Statistics show that people who quit with a healthy support system in place have a much higher rate of success over time. If you don't have people around you who are supportive, and even if you do, add some online support to your quit program. There is nothing better than bending the ear of a person who knows exactly what you are going through. Getting help from people who have 'been there and done that' is worth its weight in gold.

9. Don't believe that you can have "just one".

There is no such thing. It doesn't work with Lays potato chips, and it sure doesn't work with cigarettes. Smoke one cigarette, and you run a very high risk of being back to a pack a day quicker than you can imagine. Don't fall for faulty thinking. A relapse always begins in the mind. If you recognize unhealthy thoughts of smoking cropping up, it's time to renew your resolve.

10. Don't forget.

You quit smoking for a reason. Probably several. Don't let time and distance from the habit cloud your thinking. Keep your memory green by reviewing your reasons often. They will never be less true as time goes by,but they can feel less critical if you're not careful.

Cessation is a journey.

Take it one simple day at a time, and you'll find that what started out as a difficult task soon enough becomes an enjoyable challenge.