Tuesday, August 24, 2010

Addictions

I have jumped back on the Stop Smoking bandwagon again. I began wearing a patch on Sunday. I smoked yesterday but I only smoked 5. I was feeling really bad about it but realized when I smoked only one it made it easier to smoke the next one. So I have to remember that just one is one too many and I Can Not have it and be a quitter. Becca it doesn't work that way. Today I have lit a butt but no whole one and am not going to smoke today.

What is different than a few weeks ago when I tried? I am working on a different attitude. I have determined that dealing with something like cigarette addiction must be dealt with like any other addiction. Ok. I've had other addictions in my life. I was very over weight wearing a size 22 and now I am a 12. I conquered the overeating challenge/addiction. I have had addictions over the years with prescription drugs and street drugs. Hey - don't get me wrong and judge me ok. I am not a junkie and I didn't do anything real bad. I have conquered those addictions. Cigarettes are no different. They must fall into the same wastebasket that the other addictions are in. There are addictions of all kinds and they all present a challenge when trying to stop. No one can do this but me. Each time I want one I am choosing to not smoke one. I realize that I probably will always want just one and that is deceiving in that I cannot have just one.

I am also making a conscious effort to be thankful. I am thankful for the addictions - I will be a stronger and wiser person from it. I am thankful for the slow traffic this morning. It might have saved me from a bad accident. (I am not a patient driver when I have some where to be - like work. Gotta change that). I will be looking for things and adversities to be thankful for. If I can find myself with a gentler heart and more thankful attitude, I think my success is more likely to happen. Having a thankful heart will make all the difference.

Here's to being positive. I am stopping smoking and that is MY CHOICE. I choose it.

29 comments:

Terra said...

Oh Becca, I admire you for your choice to stop smoking. That is a great decision and I have faith in you to succeed.
Maybe each day you could treat yourself to something as a reward for no cigarettes? A bouquet of flowers, a favorite book or magazine, buy something to plant, etc. My local public library has free movies and PBS tv shows to loan so that would be a free treat.

Deb said...

Becca...good for you...it's just one day at a time...you are very brave to talk about all this on your blog...that's the first step...I went from a 18 to a 6..boy do I feel better

Diane said...

Well done Becca, keep at it. Have you still got cigarettes in the house? If so turf them! What you have not got you cannot smoke. I know you will do it. I have every faith in you and if you can go from a size 22 to a 12 then giving up smoking is easy. With luv Diane

Nancy's Notes said...

Oh my goodness, you should be so proud of yourself! Way to go! You can do it!

Nancy

Patsy said...

I am all for you Becca you will do it. I am thankful you are my blogger friend.
Hugs Patsy

Lemon Verbena Lady said...

Take one moment at a time, Becca! Sending positive energy your way!

Anonymous said...

Good for you Becca. I would love to quit smoking, but my life is bit hectic now to even try. :(

imac said...

Thats the idea, believe it and you will.

Connie said...

I wish you the very best of luck, Becca. I think you have the right attitude to conquer this.

Daydream Living said...

Hi Becca,

Well done, keep on trying is the attitude! And you being positive is the road to walk! Good luck, and all the best,
Maureen
xx

Lemon Lane Studio said...

You are so right,Becca. Attitude is everything. We all have our tendencies toward excess...and we all have things in our past we could be judged for. You are so brave to put your out there. Most of us wouldn't have the courage. I agree with the comment about getting rid of all the cigarettes in the house. An alcoholic or drug addict would be setting themselves up for failure if they had that kind of temptation a few steps away. A gambler would be crazy to hang out in a casino or live in Vegas. A spender needs to stay out of the mall. YOU CAN DO IT! I'll keep praying for you.

I got my seeds...I haven't opened the envelope yet because my gardens really need some work but I wanted to thank you again. Hang in there...find a healthy distraction when the craving occurs. Blessings sweet lady, Patty

Brenda Pruitt said...

Addiction of any kind is hard. I'm trying to lose weight myself. I never had a problem with drinking or smoking, but there are all sorts of addictions, as we all know. I guess it's one day at a time.
Brenda

Tootsie said...

good luck! I smoke and I am not sure I could do it!

Bloodhound said...

Wow Becca, you are so brave posting this. Addiction of any kind is so hard to conquer. You are well on the way to getting there by looking at your attitudes and trying to change them. You know it won’t be easy but you’ve beaten other temptations and if you keep strong you can do this too. I’m routing for you!

This Is My Blog - fishing guy said...

Becca: Hang in there, it is such a awful habit to break.

Betsy Banks Adams said...

That is the key, Becca. You have to do it ONLY for YOU--and nobody else. And your attitude is the important factor. AND--you are talking publicly about it.. That is another HUGE step.

Nobody says that it is easy. It is not... My addiction is FOOD... I have struggled with my weight all of my adult life... I was larger (much) than I am now---but I am still heavy. I've lost and gained SO much... I always 'need' to lose weight--even when I'm not as heavy. But now--finally, I am OKAY with ME --and have a good attitude about life. My weight it not controlling ME anymore... You can do the same with smoking. You need to control it and not allow it to control you... Tain't easy---but you can do it...

Good Luck --and keep us posted.
Hugs and PRAYERS,
Betsy

Far Side of Fifty said...

Yes, You can do it..one day or hour at a time..everyday gets easier..I think I will always want to have a cigarette..but choosing not to smoke is my choice..so there nasty cigarettes! :)

Unknown said...

I know you can do it.
I smoked for 12 years (20 years ago) and there is nothing like a soft drink and cigarette.

I haven't smoked but I sure know how to put away a bag of chips. So, I'm working on that.

You have beaten many things in your life and I know that smoking will be just one more thing you have accomplished.

Good Luck
Cindy

Jeff Branch said...

Good luck!!! I'll be pulling for you.

•°°• IcyBC •°°• said...

I wish you luck with quitting smoking. It's not an easy thing to do, but your mind is in to quit, so I know you will be very successful with it!

Lemon Lane Studio said...

Thank you, Becca. I just opened my envelope. You are so generous! I can't wait to go play in the dirt. I posted a thank you on my blog...I hope you don't mind. Blessings, Patty

Rosemarie said...

You can do it - you have such a positive attitude, which is great!

(My girls have one more year of preschool and then Kindergarten next year! Wow!)

A Peculiar Person said...

I really like your blog!

I would love to get your comments and perspective on some of my recent entries. Feel free to stop by when you have a little time!

alonganarrowway.blogspot.com

God bless, and keep up the good work!

tina said...

You can do it, be strong. My husband used Chantix and quit after 30 years. I am happy every day. My mother quit too after umpteen years. It is a hard habit to kick but you can do it!! I am hoping so for you. I think cigarettes are the worse plaque mankind has ever created on mankind. Silly huh? So I just had to give you a word of encouragement. Be strong!

Denny said...

Go Becca,Go!!

I gave up years ago and dont miss it at all!No more smelling like an ashtray anymore & the money I have saved!!!

Best of luck with it.

All That Glitters said...

Thank you so much for stopping by and sharing your sweet words!! Don't give up! It's been almost 3 years for me! Congrats on the weight loss too! I still want to smoke everyday though. Hang in there girly!

Jennifer

Gail said...

I would love to jump on that bandwagon!

Ginger said...

Becca,
Good for you! It's definitely all about attitude. You could wear patches and take those pills all day long and never quit if you didn't really want to. My husband quit 2 or 3 months ago cold turkey -- you can too!

Susan said...

I've had a problem with smoking for about 10 years now. I have stopped and I was doing alright till today. I've wanted to sit outside and relax and have a smoke. But....I need to stay strong. Hang in there, we can both do this together.

Susan Oakes
The Adventure of Old Alice

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