"What A Difference 10 Years Makes, 87,600 Little Hours...😄."

IT'S MY 10 YEAR QUITAVERSARAAAAY!!!
Woooooo-yeah, Baby!!!👄

💗😁🙏😜😝😄

Thank you to the God of my Understanding for letting me see this day!!

Ten years!! Wow!!

I remember how I felt 10 years ago today. I was anxious, I was excited, I was irritable, I was ready to face the pain.  I knew above it all that I wanted to Quit and stay Quit!! It was my one desire and I was willing to do just about anything to make it happen.

I think it's like my Grammy has always told me, "You have to want it bad enough." 

I guess I wanted it bad enough and then some. 

Was it easy? Absolutely not. 

Was it fun? Yes, at times.

Over the years, I have wondered about my Quit Group ROCKTOBERS'11. At the time, About.com had a Quit Smoking Group that was super supportive. It was after I had spent some time in the group, that I decided to journal my experience. The journaling made such a huge impact on my Quit. The fact that I was writing about it, I believe made it real, and made it manifest.  I would actually recommend it if you are early in your QUIT, to start journaling your Quit Experience. It's not going to be the same for everyone and it may even help you process out some other things. I know it helped me to understand and work through some very difficult aspects of my life. 

The most important thing I want to make sure this  Blog does is support someone who is in their Quit, to STAY QUIT. 

Remember Beloveds, you have to want it for you, not anyone else.

You also have to believe it to the point that you can see what you look like as a non-smoker.

If you think that you can't do it, guess what? You won't.

However, if you're ready and you want it,  GO FOR IT!!

If you want to laugh, just start at the beginning of this blog. October 27, 2011.

It may provide you with the insight to begin your own Quit Journey.

I know you can do it.

Until Next Time, Stay Strong Beloveds

Hugs, Love, and Healing Energy to the World
(For Those Who Are Open to Receive It.)

One Human Love

Obi

Knowing others is intelligence; Knowing yourself is true wisdom."
"Mastering others is strength; Mastering yourself is true power.

”Lao Tzu ~ The Tao Te Ching

MQM:CT MQD:10.27.2011:12:01:AM QBG:PROUD MEMBER, "ROCKTOBERS '11 !!"

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!!!"

Eight is Great....

Greetings, Beloveds - 

October 27, 2019 marked eight years smoke and nicotine free.

I am extremely humbled and thankful to the God of my understanding for the needed grace to be able to be free of smoking and nicotine.

My prayer for anyone who is reading this, who also wishes to quit, is that you too can find the needed peace and grace to quit.

Listen, it can be done. I'm not gonna sugar coat it and say that it's easy. All I will say is that it will be worth it.

If you want to laugh, go to the beginning of the blog and check out the first year of my quit. It might make you laugh, it might make you cry - but something, will happen. If nothing else, it will give you something to think about.

Remember, you CAN quit.

YOU CAN WIN. 

Don't know how? Go back to the beginning of the blog when you're ready to quit and just read.

You are awesome and if you would like to QUIT, you can and you WILL. 

Until Next Time, Stay Strong Beloveds

Hugs, Love, and Healing Energy to the World
(For Those Who Are Open to Receive It.)

One Human Love

Obi

Knowing others is intelligence; Knowing yourself is true wisdom."
"Mastering others is strength; Mastering yourself is true power.

”Lao Tzu ~ The Tao Te Ching

MQM:CT MQD:10.27.2011:12:01:AM QBG:PROUD MEMBER, "ROCKTOBERS '11 !!"

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!!!"

Forwarned is Forearmed...

Hey, Beloveds - 

I pray all is well or better for everyone who still reads the blog. 

Thank you so much if this is you and Welcome to those who may have just joined the journey.

Back in June I blogged about vaping. We now see that what I shared was unfortunately, more than true.

People are dying.

Beloveds, smoking is something that we don't have to do. It's something that we chose to do. The reason why I say that smoking is not something that we have to do, is that it wasn't a requirement to keep us alive after we were born. We need nurturing, love, clean food, clean air, and clean water. 

Moving from one smoking habit to another does not help us to be smoke free and nicotine free. 

Beloveds, don't fall of the okie doke. There are industries that are waiting to reel you in like a fish with bait in order to get you hooked. These companies don't care if you get sick or die from smoking or vaping. All they care about are their profits. 

Since cigarettes have now been frowned upon and folks who still smoke made out to be social pariahs, the next thing to do is to find something that isn't looked at like the plague.

Enter vaping.

Look at how it was marketed? It was considered to be cool and it was considered to be more socially acceptable and better than smoking.

Beloveds, I will say it again.

"VAPING IS NOT BETTER THAN SMOKING."

Please don't get caught up in the bullsh*t. These companies are relying on you being weak, stressed out, and looking for a way out. Don't give them the satisfaction.

YOU CAN QUIT. YOU CAN WIN. 

Don't know how? Go back to the beginning of the blog when you're ready to quit and just read.

You are awesome and if you would like to QUIT, you can and you WILL. 

Until Next Time, Stay Strong Beloveds

Hugs, Love, and Healing Energy to the World
(For Those Who Are Open to Receive It.)

One Human Love

Obi

Knowing others is intelligence; Knowing yourself is true wisdom."
"Mastering others is strength; Mastering yourself is true power.

”Lao Tzu ~ The Tao Te Ching

MQM:CT MQD:10.27.2011:12:01:AM QBG:PROUD MEMBER, "ROCKTOBERS '11 !!"

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!!!"

Beyond Five - The Move to Six Years Smoke Free

Wow!!

Well whatdayaknow? Five years later and thanks be to the The God of my Understanding, I am still Smoke Free.

I really wish I could explain the joy I feel today. I am thankful moreso than proud of my journey.

Life is constantly changing and sometimes, what occurs can bring us to our knees.

When I look back on this day, I remember how afraid yet determined I was.

When I encounter challenges now, I employ the same strategy that I utilized five years ago.

I plan, I visualize, I strategize, and I go for it.

Who knew five years ago, that I would be practicing Yoga four times a week.

I don't want to give anyone the idea that my life is perfect. It's not. It's far from perfect.  I am just happy to be where I am and who I am becoming. I owe that to my decision to stop smoking. The journey taught me how strong I was despite the many challenges that came my way during my first year journey.

I do want to give everyone who wants to quit, the idea that if you really WANT to, you too can QUIT if you figure out that this is coming from deep inside. I do want to encourage you to at least to start thinking about what you want for your life, especially if that means you want to be a QUITTER like me.

I want to Shout Out my Rocktober's 11 Family. We all quit together in 2011.  If you're reading this, please know that I miss you all so much and I think of everyone especially in the Spring and especially during our Anniversary.

Please know that these wonderful folks played a HUGE part in my recovery and my ability to maintain my QUIT. I miss the comradery.

As I've written before, I have QUIT for five years before. I am excited about staying Quit after five years. Tomorrow will be my first day of my test to stay QUIT for six years, which is something I have never done since I started and QUIT.

Onward and Upward.

Remember. I am certain, that if YOU want to, YOU CAN DO THIS.

Go to Day 1 on this blog (October 27 2011), which is five years ago, and read for your self. Laugh-Cry-Enjoy what you read. I really want to Pay It Forward to everyone who needs it.

Until Next Time-Stay Strong

Hugs, Love, and Healing Energy to the World
(For Those Who Are Open to Receive It.)

One Human Love

Obi

Knowing others is intelligence; Knowing yourself is true wisdom."
"Mastering others is strength; Mastering yourself is true power.

”Lao Tzu ~ The Tao Te Ching
MQM:CT MQD:10.27.2011:12:01:AM QBG:PROUD MEMBER, "ROCKTOBERS '11 !!"

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!!

QQ You CAN do it!!

"We're Bringin' Smokeless Baaack!"

(to Justin Timberlake's, SexyBack..)

 "SEXY & NicoFree" 

"Not One Puff Evah, Baby!!!"

Four Years Ago....

What?

It's been four years?

Yes.

It's been four years since I made that first post putting myself on notice that I QUIT POISONING my body. Sometimes I go read my first blog and recall how afraid but determined I was. 

Over the years I have hoped and prayed that this blog has helped someone to at least start the process of at least visualizing themselves as a QUITTER!!!

If you're still on the fence about QUITTING that's cool. Push on to see yourself as a person who doesn't need to poison yourself to feel wonderful.

Humbled to the God of my Understanding for giving me the courage and determination to stay right where in this place of freedom from nicotine.

You can do it if you want to. Remember that!

On to year five - This my loves will be the real test.

One Human Love
Obi

Knowing others is intelligence; Knowing yourself is true wisdom."
"Mastering others is strength; Mastering yourself is true power.

”Lao Tzu ~ The Tao Te Ching
MQM:CT MQD:10.27.2011:12:01:AM QBG:PROUD MEMBER, "ROCKTOBERS '11 !!"

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!!

QQ You CAN do it!!

"We're Bringin' Smokeless Baaack!"

(to Justin Timberlake's, SexyBack..)

 "SEXY & NicoFree" 

"Not One Puff Evah, Baby!!!"

Here Comes the Judge....

Yesterday, I heard from a buddy who I hadn’t heard from in a while. He was sharing an experience he had with me. He told me that he had fallen off the wagon with excessive spending.  As I read his email,   I felt this sense of heaviness, as read the words he was shared. After I returned salutations and updates, I sat with my thoughts for a while. I realized what the feeling was. The weight I felt was judgment. Through everything he shared, there was this feeling that because he had relapsed into excessive spending again, that somehow he wasn’t worthy, or that he wasn’t as good a person as he was when he had his spending under control.

As I thought longer, and after sending affirmations to my buddy, I began to consider the judgment that comes with being a smoker and then deciding to give it up.

My Lovelies I want to talk with you today about judgment.

People judge smokers by saying things like, “Kissing you would be like kissing an ashtray,” or “When are you gonna give up that nasty ass habit?” or what I used to get all the time, “Wow you don’t look like a smoker.”  Which would lead me to say, “Well what the hell does a smoker look like?” (Serious eye roll action)

As human beings, we are always judging something or someone. Even though it states in the Bible “Judge not, that ye not be judged,” we do it religiously. He’s too short or she’s too fat, or he looks broke, or she looks like a snob, did she graduate from an Ivy League school? We do it all the time.

As it relates to your Quit, don’t permit ANYONE to judge you and how you’re coming along. Don’t let anyone talk down to you, about how many years you smoked before you Quit. Don’t let anyone bully you into smoking again by saying things like, “Quitting is for cowards.” And don’t let anyone shame your Quit by saying things like, “Well damn, it took you long enough to Quit.” And should you relapse? Please, please, please, do not even bother staying around people who want to see you start smoking again, or the people who say dumb sh%t like, “Oh damn, I knew you weren’t gonna last long.” As a matter of fact, if anyone who says they care about you says that to you, DUMP THEM Quick, Fast, and In A Hurry.  That person does not truly care about you or your health.

And for goodness sake don’t beat yourself up. Sometimes, we can be our own worst judge and jury. We make up stories about who we are and we BELIEVE these stories and most times they aren’t even true or based on anything in reality.

This Quit is about YOU and no one else. Sure there are plenty of folks who will be here to help you, but at the end of the day, this is about how you want to live in the future. This is about your health. This is about stepping into that person you want to be. If that person you want to be, is a person who still smokes, then that person will move along as a smoker. But if that person is a non-smoker then he or she will have to embrace a new way of living as a non-smoker one day at a time.

It can be done My Lovelies.

Let no one stand in judgement of your journey – and that includes YOU!

Until next time-Stay Strong!!

Sending Hugs, Love, and Healing Energy to the World

(For those who are open to receive it.)

One Human Love
Obi

Knowing others is intelligence; Knowing yourself is true wisdom."
"Mastering others is strength; Mastering yourself is true power.

”Lao Tzu ~ The Tao Te Ching
MQM:CT MQD:10.27.2011:12:01:AM QBG:PROUD MEMBER, "ROCKTOBERS '11 !!"

 
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!!!"

 

 

Just (Be) Cause....

Have you ever seen a commercial and all of a sudden you start thinking about something near and dear to your heart? Well my Lovelies, I saw a commercial that made me remember something.  

I wanted to talk about cause and effect with you.

Yeah. Cause and Effect. I remember when I smoked there was always  some, “thing,” that caused me to want to light up.  Somebody or something was always getting on my nerves. I needed to smoke to calm down, or because I ate, or I wanted to smoke just to be by myself and think.

When I look back over those times, rarely do I remember what the root and real cause of my discomfort was. I do however remember how I called myself handling the situations.

I share all of this to say that is any of what makes you smoke really worth it?

Let’s look at it this way;

1.      (Be) Cause: Somebody dinged your car + You get upset = You smoke.
2.      (Be) Cause:  Your S/O forgot to pay a bill and a utility got cut off + You get upset = You smoke
3.      (Be) Cause:  You’re hanging out with friends having a few cocktails + you’re feeling good = You smoke

Now watch this – The Effect is now you have a breathing problem, that is the result of your smoking.

Stay with me now.

1.      Because somebody dinged your car, you now have a problem breathing.
2.      Because your S/O didn’t pay a bill and a utility got cut off you now have a problem breathing.
3.      And because you were having cocktails and feeling no pain you now have a problem breathing.

You get the gist. None of that makes any sense but there was a cause, and there was an effect.

The other thing I want to share from this, is that at some point we have to (yeah this includes me even though I don’t smoke anymore) really examine our triggers, i.e., those emotions that cause us to be impulsive with how we react to what happens to us, and how fast we move to handle things that happen to us without first handling ourselves.

As a part of our staying Quit it’s very important that we get comfortable with examining our emotions and sit with them for as long as we can in order to help identify the root cause that needs to be healed or addressed.

See my Lovelies when we were babies and we (emotion) cried it wasn’t a cigarette that made us comfy when we were (cause) hungry. We got a bottle! Follow me? Most of us as children were able to get our emotional needs me without a cigarette. So that stands to reason that WHAT???

Let's say it all together now??!!!

"We can still even as adults get our emotional

needs met without smoking."

You know I never mentioned what commercial it was that I saw. It was the commercial where the woman died from smoking. The commercial reminded me of all of you out there. Doesn't matter where you are on your Quit journey. as long as you don't give up trying. No judgment. Helping my Lovelies who read this blog is what was near and dear to my heart.

Listen we all have to go but I don’t want to die that way and I don’t want my Lovelies to die that way either.

Because Baby, it’s just not SEXY!!!

And that’s what we want. To Be Smokeless & Sexy

Wooooo Hooo!!

Until next time-Stay Strong!!

Sending Hugs, Love, and Healing Energy to the World

(For those who are open to receive it.)

One Human Love
Obi

Knowing others is intelligence; Knowing yourself is true wisdom."
"Mastering others is strength; Mastering yourself is true power.

”Lao Tzu ~ The Tao Te Ching
MQM:CT MQD:10.27.2011:12:01:AM QBG:PROUD MEMBER, "ROCKTOBERS '11 !!"

 
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!!!"