While I was away soul searching, meditating, fishing and drinking great beer I gave a lot of thought to the members of the SSC. Over the past 16 months or so I have watched a lot of folks come and go some making it and many failing. I read a lot of excuses for �slipping� everything from a hangnail to the pain and suffering of cravings, weight gain, hubby blew smoke in my face, got drunk etc, etc, etc. Then the thought hit me�..what price do we have to pay to be free from the terrible nicotine addiction? What does it really take to be free? Another E-mail from Max hit it right on the head. Here is his again sage advice and message:
FREEDOM MEANS RESPONSIBILITY
�If you wish to be free yourself from enslavement,
you must choose freedom and the responsibility it entails.
There's a price for every freedom,
something to be given up for every liberty.
It's up to you to weigh the price you must pay
for each of your freedoms.
Everything you want has a price.
There's a price you'll pay for changing things
and a price you'll pay for leaving things as they are.
Freedom is the opportunity to make decisions.
It's the capacity to take a hand in your own development.
Freedom is the right to choose.
It's the right to create for yourself the alternatives of choice.
No one is free who is not master of himself.
You are free to do whatever you like.
You need only face the consequences of your actions.�
To quit smoking is to take on a challenge that will includes major lifestyle changes or you are doomed to failure. To succeed requires that you take on a responsibility for yourself that will be strange and new to you. Lifestyle changes require commitment, courage and the willingness to accept a new approach to life itself. Can you do it? Certainly you can - if you are willing to climb the mountain. So to all of you I say: See ya at the top.
Duffis
[B]My Milage:[/B]
[B]My Quit Date: [/B] 2/13/2005
[B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 476
[B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 14,305
[B]Amount Saved:[/B] $1223.32
[B]Life Gained:[/B]
[B]Days:[/B] 95 [B]Hrs:[/B] 8 [B]Mins:[/B] 52 [B]Seconds:[/B] 6
-
Quit Meter
$286,412.50
Amount Saved
-
Quit Meter
Days: 6873
Hours: 22
Minutes: 36
Seconds: 56
Life Gained
-
Quit Meter
45826
Smoke Free Days
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Quit Meter
1,145,650
Cigarettes Not Smoked
