Hello Bear,
Like you I'm 68-years-old,smoked for over 50 years, and my income has been drastically reduced. Like you I showed no health problems from having smoked for so many years. The thing that caused me to want to quit smoking was the realization that I wasn't really in control of my life. The main consideration in every plan I made was whether I could freely smoke. I resented not being able to smoke in public places and the looks people gave me when they saw me smoking. I felt envious of non-smokers. They didn't have craves for nicotine the way I did. They could sit though a meeting and actually listen to what others had to say, rather than thinking about getting out of there to have a smoke. I got sick of NOT doing things with my family because none of them smoke, sick of feeling like a second class person, and I got really sick of being controled by a substance.
To admit to myself that I'm an addict was difficult and these past 79 days haven't been easy, but I've stuck to it. After smoking 2-2&1/2 packs a day for the past 35 years of my smoking record it's a miracle that I've make it this far. Each day is still a struggle, but usually not as difficult as the day before. This isn't a game of "maybe I'll stop or maybe I won't" rather it's a matter of taking a long, good look at one's self. If you don't like what you're seeing then change it--one day at a time. If you like what you see, just keep doing what you've been doing. It sounds to me as if you have taken that long look at yourself and now you want to make some changes.
Bear, at our age we could still have around 15 or even 20 more years to live, please join me in a quest to make those years good ones. We can walk in the sunshine or keep walking in the fog. It's just a choice, but I'm headed toward the sunny side of the street.
[B]My Milage:[/B]
[B]My Quit Date: [/B] 1/26/2007
[B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 79
[B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 2,794
[B]Amount Saved:[/B] $790
[B]Life Gained:[/B]
[B]Days:[/B] 12 [B]Hrs:[/B] 7 [B]Mins:[/B] 14 [B]Seconds:[/B] 13
