The Meaning of Bitter Sweet....I'm Six Years Quit!!

So,  for those who have been following the Blog since the beginning, you know that today is the first year of my REAL QUIT!!

My sixth year quit, is actually my first time being quit for more than five years during a QUIT.

While I feel totally awesome about my accomplishment, I am equally saddened and broken hearted.

I’m not sure what cruel joke fate has on my life, but as some of you may remember, as I approached my first year quit in 2012, a member of my family passed away from breast cancer.

It was devastating.

The irony here is, as I approached my sixth year quit, another one of my loved ones was diagnosed with stage two breast cancer back in June of this year.

I don’t want to make this about me, but I can’t help but wonder why this is happening again.

I thank the God of my Understanding that I haven’t been triggered to smoke as a coping mechanism. It hasn't even been tempting and it never crossed my mind.

I’m still practicing yoga five times a week. It truly has changed my outlook on life and it has helped me with my perspective on many things.

I want to once again, share with anyone who is reading this and who is trying to quit; you can do this. You have to do it for you, not anyone else. Not because you hear folks ragging on you to quit, but because you really want to do it for yourself.

Guess what? You may fall off the wagon a few times. That’s alright. What you’ve actually learned is how to recognize another trigger. Once you understand what makes you smoke, you can create new coping skills to avoid those things, as best you can, which make you want smoke.

I can’t reiterate enough that your quit has to be about YOU.  Don’t let anyone dictate your quit or judge how you’re doing.

If it takes you one try, three or ten, YOU CAN DO IT!! 

Blogging actually helped me during my first year to exorcise some of the stress I was going through at the time.

It's important to have a support system for those things in life that we sometimes, just can't handle alone. It's okay to ask for help.

Just like with a Quit. Sometimes you need a support team to help you. I did. At the time, About.com had a Smoking Cessation Board. I met the most AWESOME people there.

I pray that wherever they are in the world, that they are doing better than well.

If you would like some suggestions, go back to the beginning and read through my first year.

I'm sleepy now. I've been crying for most of the morning, thinking about my loved one and all that she is going through.

If you're reading this and you care to, please pray for my loved one and our family.

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!!

QQ 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!!!"

 

MAKING "HEAD"WAY

 

Everything we do, or don't do, starts in our heads. Everything.

 

What did you think this post was about?? Hmm?? FRESHY!!  Tsk, Tsk, Tsk!!!

 

The fact that I sat down and started typing on this blog, started in my head. No foolin'!!

 

I realized that I hadn't reached out in a while, and the thought lingered with my hamsters (pet name for my brain), a we bit longer than it should have. So, I did something about it. Hence the tap, tap, tap sound on the keyboard.

 

I wanted to reach out today to remind everyone that it's never too late to Quit. NEVER.

 

The reason why I share this, is that some people may get in their heads that since they've tried so many times, and not succeeded that it's not supposed to happen for them.

 

Guess what my Lovelies? I call BULLSH#T on that type of thinking.

 

At some point there has to be something inside you, that wants to Quit more than anything else.It doesn't have to be this monumental declaration of what you want to do. You can keep it to yourself.

 

You don't have to etch it in stone. All you have to do is decide. After you decide, then plan.

 

Plan your Quit in your head, and then start the process of actually planning it. Listen. If people can plan surgeries, cruises, weddings, and parties, YOU can plan your Quit.

 

There is an example of how to do this on this blog. Just go through the earlier posts and you will find it.

 

My Lovelies I wasn't always Quit. I did not get up one morning and BAM!! No more nicotine.  

It was a very painful process that I did not get over, but got THROUGH!

 

You and I aren't really that different. How do I know that? Darlin' if you cut me, I promise you, I will bleed. See? We're practically cousins!! I say all that to share, that if I can Quit and Stay Quit, I have faith that if you keep trying and don't give up on YOU, then eventually YOU will make 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

 

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!!!"

YES, YOU CAN!!!

April 27th will mark 3 years and 6 months that I've been free from suffering the imprisonment of being a smoker.

I feel great. I am proud and thankful that I am still smoke-free.

I want to share with folks who don't feel that they have the ability to quit, that you do. You have the ability to make a change that will improve the quality of your life. You have the ability to dig deep and find the courage and the discipline to bring a thought of being smoke free, to reality.

How do I know this? Because I did it.
We are born to be conquerors of things that keep us from being our best selves.

Give yourself an opportunity to shine.

You can do it, once you set your mind to it.

Want some ideas? Start this blog from the beginning. Take your time and read through. Take Baby Steps. Don't rush yourself.

YOU CAN QUIT AND YOU WILL QUIT!!

Till next time, Beloveds!!

One Big Hug for humanity for all whom are willing to receive it.
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:AMQBG: 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!!!

IF YOU CAN BELIEVE IT, YOU CAN ACHIEVE IT!!!.....

If you believe that you can Quit and Stay Quit, guess what? You will.

Beloveds it all starts with a thought in your head that you just simply have one day. It then becomes a feeling that resonates inside. It might even make you go, "Hmmm."

Maybe you don't act on it right away, but you do think about it every now and then.

Maybe one day it hits you, "I'm gonna try to Quit." You feel good by the thought. You toss it around. And then, you might say, "Hell naw." "I can't quit. I got a party to go to."

So, you put it off until you think of it again.

It all starts with a thought. Give your self a chance to consider the possibilities.

Till next time, Beloveds!!

One Big Hug for humanity for all whom are willing to receive it.

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!!!"

Happy New Year....Yaaaay!!!

Just wanted to stop by and wish everyone a Happy New Year!!

This is usually the time when folks  plan to Quit.

Guess what. When you're ready?  This Blog will be right here for you.

My advice that doesn't seem to change? Go to the beginning and read each post one day at a time.

Remember to own your Quit. Don't let anyone control you or your process.

This is CRUCIAL: Take Your Time!

You can only account for where you are in this moment right now. Not yesterday. Not tomorrow. Right now.

One last suggestion? Get some support. Try About.com for the Smoking Cessation Forum.

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!!!"

THREE YEARS FREE...Wooohooo!!!

Okay. It's Nov. 4th Election Day in the States. I'm feeling great. Still Smoke Free and Sexy. I am definitely going to get my VOTE ON, today!! **giggling**

Haven't Blogged in a while. I think I should more often. I didn't know folks were still reading the Blog. How cool is THAT???? For anyone who is just coming aboard, "Hey!! How ya doin'?"

I think the best way to gain as much as you can is to start at the beginning, on October 27, 2011.

Well let's see, I celebrated a serious milestone last Monday. "I AM THREE YEARS SMOKE FREE, BABY!! Wooohoo!!"  I am lovin' every single moment of my Smokelessness!

Although,  I am pleased as punch, humbled, and feeling blessed by the entire experience,  I will really be impressed when I get passed five years Smoke Free. See, as you may know from previous entries,  I Quit before for five years and fell back into bad habits.

This go round is different because I dealt with the issues (Loss & Separation) that were associated with my nicotine addiction.

Would you believe that three years out, I'm still learning about staying Smoke Free? While I don't experience withdrawal symptoms anymore, it is still so very important to stay vigilant.

If you are new on your Quit Journey, Welcome!!
If you have relapsed from your Quit Journey, Welcome!! And guess what? If you are sittin' up there sayin' "I ain't gonna quit!" Guess what, "Welcome to you too!!" Shoot!! We all need a little love and support!! Ahahaha!!

It's a little after 5:00 AM. I'm takin' all this Smokeless Sexyness back to sleep.

MUCH LOVE TO MY ROCKTOBERS FAMILY WHERE EVER YOU ARE IN THE WORLD.

SENDING POSITIVE LOVE, LIGHT, and ENCOURAGEMENT TO ALL WHO WILL RECEIVE IT!!

TILL NEXT TIME, ONE HUMAN LOVE!!

OBI.

She's Baaaack!!!!!

Boy, oh Boy!! What a difference a few years make.  --SMILING--

So glad to be writing on the Blog. Prayerfully, everyone is doing well or better.

We're in 2014, and yes, I am still smoke and tobacco free. Feels so good to still be in this space.

As I re-read some of the entries, I laughed, cried, and reflected on how much time has passed. I thought about the daily struggle. I thought about the pain and the internal battle, that even though it's not as rough, still goes on even to this day. I want to encourage those whom are ready to quit, to not be afraid. It's scary, and for some, it will be painful for a little while. I can't stress enough to each of you who may be afraid, time will pass. I promise. Even if you have to embrace your Quit one second at a time, do it. As you see, I started my Quit on October 27 2011. What is today's date?

Those of you who are not ready to Quit yet, we'll leave a light on for you so you can find us when you are ready. We still love you too.

Remember: "A journey of 1000 miles starts with a single step." -- Lao Tzu

To my Rocktober Family, wherever in the world you may be, Huge Huggz!! :o)

Hugs, Love, and Healing Energy to the World (for those who are open to receive it.)

One Human Love & Peace,

Obi