THREE MONTHS QUIT???...AWWEE, SHH&%$ !!!!

Guess what? January 27th, 2012, marked my third month, Quit.

(Deliberate pause)

 Yaaaayyy! Whoop Whoop Whoop!! Whose ya' Momma!?!?!? Yeahh, Baby!!! (Rollin' arm like Arsenio Hall..Runnin' around slappin' high fives in tha air...lol.)

Okay. I had to let that out. I've been holding it pretty much all day. I shared that this is my third month Quit with folks. Some just don't seem to get it. It's okay. I'm a party all by myself. I am proud of myself for getting this far, but that does not overshadow the humility I feel for the entire process. It's a struggle on some days. I still get the automatic urge, when I'm not on my game. I acknowledge what the urge is, why I am having it, and I move the hell on. I don't have time to entertain urges anymore. The urges get NO LOVE from me.

Anyhoo. I'm still walking. Walked 1.2 miles one way. This is what happens when you're walking with someone you admire and having really good conversation. You actually walk further, faster. lol. I need to do a better job with stretching and hydrating because I got leg cramps in the middle of the night. Can we say, "OUCH!!!??".  I also need to wear better leg gear. My thighs were a bit frosty on the walk back. 

I am so thankful to the God of my understanding, for this opportunity to QUIT, and the desire to STAY QUIT. If anyone is reading this blog for the first time, and wants to quit, or is thinking about quitting, check it out. You may not have to do all of this stuff. I'm just sharing how I did it, so IF you want to, make your own plan, and work it out.

This is what I did;

I planned a month in advance, when I was going to quit. But prior to that month, I thought about Quitting, All The Time!

I smoked every day, until my Quit Time & Date. (October 27th, 2011 @ 12:01 AM.)

I made a list of reasons why I wanted to Quit.

I prepared self talk. Real conversations that only I, could have with myself about doing the right thing
and the wrong thing, and the many justifications that I came up with for my Stinkin' Thinkin'.

I believed that I could Quit. I got it in my head, that I could do this and that nothing and no one, was going to stop me. Not even ME. I did not see it as, I was losing something. I saw it as re-gaining my independence from a controlling force, that I could not see.

I gave myself options. For example, instead of smoking I could cut my hair, buy stuff (within reason), try new cocktails (within reason), anything but smoke. As far as the urges go, I could roll around on the floor, scream, kick, stretch, sing, hum, do kegals (see an earlier post about the kegals) go, WAM-TIT-BIO-LIP. Anything but take a puff, to deal with the craving. I embraced the pain of the cravings, as markers for growth and to remind myself of what its going to feel like, if I mess up on this quit.

I prepared spiritually, by chanting the Daimoku, which is "Nam Myoho Renge Kyo". (Not saying you have to do this, but some sort of meditation is helpful.) Whatever spiritual/meditative piece you use, make sure you use it in a way that permits you to get inside and deal with YOU. Shut everyone else out for this, your special time and work on repairing, loving, and forgiving YOU.

I prepared by using visualization. I imagined my Quit Self and what she looked like, how she behaved as a Non-Smoker. **She looked cute as a non-smoker...fresh, flirty, positive, bright, self-confident, ready to help others, full of energy**

I began to examine, my behavior in terms of what I believed, smoking was doing for me.  I did a lot of reflection and retraced my steps, examining how I failed my first quit that lasted five years.

I resolved to take this quit slowly...even if it meant taking it one minute at a time.

I refuse to let My Quit, get dull. I am going to have fun with this. Don't believe me? Check out some of my past posts. lol.

I prepared by buying a case of water, providing cinnamon candy and gum sexy pops (lollipops) started playing video games, increased my crochet time. I decided to take accountability for my Quit and OWN IT. It's mine. Not anyone else's.

I thought about the mind f&^% that the tobacco industry, has been playing on me and folks like me, who are nicotine addicts, all over the world.

This was NOT a part of the plan. I joined a Smoking Cessation Group, online. I L.O.V.E. IT
Believe it or not, I look forward to checking in with my Quit Buddies from time to time. I enjoy reading various posts. Let's me know that I am not alone in this quest to STAY QUIT.

The folks in the Smoking Cessation forum are so, so, so, kind. From observation, a lot of folks on/in this forum, "Pay It Forward".  It's so amazing to see. Sometimes, I get a little emotional reading how folks who will probably never meet each other, reach out and support each other through a very challenging time. It's simply amazing to observe, the level of human loving kindness in the forum.

Every day I get stronger. Every day I am more thankful. Every day I become more humble as I walk this journey to Stay Quit. I'm dedicating this blog entry to my Rocktober Family, BuddyClyde, Frank, Jim, Lori, and David in Canada, BCBabbler, Honefone, Shakti, Deez, Mistydog, LadyCity, the Moderators, and a host of other folks whom I admire for their inner strength and resolve, to simply say, "Hey, no matter what, I am NOT giving up."

This is such a wonderful journey of self discovery, self exploration, and self recovery. Every day, by the Grace of the God of my understanding, I get to find out, just how tough I think I am, in terms of being able to stay on course and to stay on my game with my Quit. So far, so good.

(((((Scrrrrrrreeeeeeeeeeeeccchhh))))

Enough of the serious stuff!!!!!

I'm ready to dance and celebrate being Nicotine Free!!! Come on!! Everybody who has Quit and is Staying Quit, party with me!!  Shucks, even if you haven't stopped smoking yet and are just thinkin' about it, let's go!! Click the video and where Justin says, "I'm bringin' sexy back," say, "I'm bringin' Smokeless back.."  We'll figure what to do with the rest of the lyrics later....for right now, "Raise your hands in the air...and wave em'  like you just don't care...if you've drowned the sticks, and you're ready to Quit, somebody say, "OH YEAH!!!!"

One Human Love,
Obi.

"We're Bringin' Smokeless Back!!!"

Those folks still smokin' don't know how to act..lolololol.

Walk a Mile In My Shoes....

I started a walking regimen. Okay, don't get excited. lol. Right now, it's two days a week. So far, I've walked about a half mile. I want to work up to walking two miles when I walk and then work up to more. Am I doing this to lose weight? Not really, although honestly, I could stand to shed a few. I'm doing it to gain a sense of balance and to return to the shape I was in, before I started smoking again. I love walking. It's like, I can hear my thoughts clearer. Does that make sense? It's as if I can work things out on my own, in the peace and meditative silence that walking alone, provides. I don't walk in isolated or secluded areas, but I do walk in nature. So, if anyone is thinking about walking, PLEASE DO NOT walk in areas that aren't safe. We need you HERE! :o)

I really enjoy the ability to breathe deeply when I walk.

"Hmmm Obi, why do you enjoy breathing deeply??"

B'cause I Quit Smoking almost three months ago. ---- (devilish grin)

Where I walk, I can hear a river trickling and swishing over jagged rocks. I see the beautiful green moss on rocks that go up a hill, foliage that's about to take a nap, furry squirrels, birds that stay in the area during winter. I see the various types of trees. I see folks walking their dogs, and dogs walking their owners..HA!! I want to get a dog one day, although I am truly a cat person...(MEOW)...*giggling*  I think dogs are so cool, especially when it comes to walking companions and all out door play time.

In seven days, Lord Willin' (and the creek don't rise), I will hit my three month Quit. Yipeeee!!! All I can ask is, "Where did three months go?" See, this is what I've been sharing with folks for about a month now. The fact that time is moving faster (or seems to be) is to our benefit, for those of us who are Quitting or Staying Quit. Check it out, it doesn't even feel like we've passed Thanksgiving, Hanukkah, Christmas, Kwanzaa, and New Years, but we have. Listen, if you want to Quit, JUST DO IT, and see how fast you come up on a month Quit.

Heck, we're about to have Valentine's Day, which gets on my last nerve to some degree. I don't like Valentine's Day. Not because of what it stands for, but because of the commercial pressure. I particularly feel bad for guys. I mean, I'd rather be with a man, who expressed his love for me, by doing stuff DAILY, instead of waiting for one day, to pour it on thick.

One thing for sure, we, those of us whom have elected to QUIT and STAY QUIT, will NOT have to worry about having fresh, sweet, kissable breath, just in case someone wants to kiss us for Valentine's Day. Ah yes..just imagine, the object of your affection, walks up to you and ***SMUAHHH*** right in the kisser, and..and..and then you find yourselves locked in a wonderful embrace, pheromones start acting berserk, lips are locked, kissing in a fervent rush, hearts are pounding and full of emotion, perspiration starts to.....WHOOPS!!. HA!!....WHEW!!....okay, I'm back.

Being Sexy and Smokeless is Dangerous!! All that extra air now running through our bodies, giving us more energy, to shake it, unleashes a SEXY BEAST when we least expect it! WATCH - OUT!!! Because WE, the Sexy, the Proud, the Brave, the Smokeless, are on the move!!!

Much love, strength, power, healing energy to everyone who is thinking about Quitting, those who are new to the Quit, and those who are on the Quit Path.

***Special Shout Out to James Bronson, GEA PPC,  and Sean Guy for coming along on this ride***  :o)

One Human Love,
Obi.

Peace, Love, & Freedom to My Rocktober Family where-ever in the world you may be.
To Everyone thinking about Quitting and to those early on in their Quit, take it
One day at a time, my lovelies!!

You CAN do it!!

"We're Bringin' Smokeless Baaack!"

(to Justin Timberlake's, SexyBack..)

"SEXY & NicoFree"

"Not One Puff Evah, Baby!!!"

Return on Aisle Twelve.

Yesterday, I went to pick up some items from the store. I got in line to pay
for my things and I found myself behind a family. Husband, wife, two young children.
I observed the family talking and laughing. I watched Mom pull out the coupons from
her purse and clutch them in her hand, like holding a pair of nines knowing the aces
hadn't been played. I watched Dad as he bagged the groceries and watched the
totals pop up on the monitor. Mom smiles and says to the cashier, "Let me know when
it gets to $100.00." The Cashier obliged and let Mom know when it got to $100.00.

I looked at the items in the bag and thought to myself, "Is this what we've come to?"I felt so inadequate and impotent standing behind them. Why couldn't I have enough money,
to make up the difference of their grocery bill. Those were children who needed to eat,
goodness sake. It wasn't as if Mom purchased a cart full of junkfood, no. Mom and Dad purchased veggies, potatoes, meat, fruits, bread, milk, the types of food that could stretch. I felt my eyes start to do that stinging thing, y'know when you're trying to fight back tears.

What does this have to do with smoking? Stress. Stress causes folks to relapse or to
keep smoking. The stress of not having a job or not being able to feed your family. The stress of
illness and a host of other things. Yes, these are the things that can lead to the stress
that might make someone continue to smoke. But y'know-what? It doesn't have to be that way.

I know this sounds as if I'm on a high horse, but I'm not. On my honor, I am in a situation,
right now, today, where the stress from the situation I'm in, has me in tears at times. It has me doubting my ability to move forward in several areas in my life. But, here's the deal. I can choose.
I do have a choice, regardless of the pain that comes with it. I made a choice, regardless of the
B.S., around me, to Quit. See, I'm me. I am not my situations. I have situations, that need solutions
(ones that I can't see right now..but solutions just the same).

I know I'm making it sound simple. We, who have kicked for any amount of time,
know that it's anything but simple. I share all of this to say, you can go through anything and
you don't have to smoke. You may WANT to, but you don't HAVE to. Think about it.
Even though I'm coming up on my three month quit, I still go fight and go WAM-TIT-BIO-LIP. I said it today. I said it last night. I said it yesterday. I said it as I sat in my car, and felt like sh*t, because I couldn't help that family purchase the rest of their groceries. Things have got to get better in this country. Too many people are suffering, by no choice or fault of their own.

One Human Love,
Obi.

Peace, Love, & Freedom to my Rocktober Family and to those thinking about or early on in your Quit. Remember ... YOU CAN DO THIS, YES YOU CAN!

Happy New Yearrrrrraaahhh :oP

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!

It's my sincere hope that everyone is enjoying the new year so far. I sure am. I feel a re-newed sense of purpose and direction for this year. I really do. I am excited. I haven't felt this upbeat at the beginning of a year in YEARS! I think part of the enthusiasm is because of My Quit, back on October 27, 2011. I am really feeling good about my accomplishment and looking forward to trying some new lifestyle changes.

For those who are wondering, YES, I have gained weight. My response to that is,
"So the *%$# what!!!"  My logic is, I can lose the weight; I can't regain life and good health
that I have wasted because of smoking. If all goes according to plan, I will share some exciting news in a few weeks to share how I will accomplish the weight loss. *cheesin*.

I had hoped to get back on before too late in order to cheer folks on who decided to quit on January 1, 2012. Congratulations to the folks who currently have six days in. That is AWESOME and YOU CAN do this. Trust me! :o)

For those whom still aren't sure, that's fine too. However, if you're still thinking about it,
keep on visualizing your "Smokeless" self, in your mind and slowly pick a date that is comfy for you. Once you''ve picked a date, ease into it. Don't rush, just take it easy until the day gets here. I think what I will do is re-post how I Quit, on another post for January, to help folks who may be struggling.

To the folks whom have six days in, I strongly encourage you to go back over some of my posts to see if they will be of any help. Listen, we are ALL here trying to make it ONE MORE DAY being SMOKEFREE. I mean, we're already SEXY!! Being SmokeFree will only catapult us to higher hights...*huggz*.

Peace, Love, & Freedom to My Rocktober Family where-ever in the world you may be.
To Everyone thinking about Quitting and to those early on in their Quit, take it one day at a time, my lovelies!!

You CAN do it!!

"We're Bringin' Smokeless Baaack!"

(to Justin Timberlake's, SexyBack..)

"SEXY & NicoFree"
"Not One Puff Evah, Baby!!!"