Alberta Quits Group

You are currently viewing the NOPE365 forum as a guest, meaning you will not be able to do anything other than read through the main feed and will only see posts that the owner has allowed for public consumption (~30% of all posts). If you want to see everything NOPE365 has to offer then please register for a new account, it's totally free and allows you to experience all of NOPE365!You are currently viewing the NOPE365 forum as a guest, meaning you will not be able to do anything other than read through the main feed and will only see posts that the owner has allowed for public consumption (~30% of all posts). If you want to see everything NOPE365 has to offer then please register for a new account, it's totally free and allows you to experience all of NOPE365!

Alberta Quits

5788

This group is for quitters from Alberta both new and migrating from Alberta Quits allowing us to...

5788

Discussions

Announcements

Removed Started by huouiioiuui01 Saturday, 06 August 2022 0 Replies

The First Week Started by Dan Tuesday, 08 February 2022 4 Replies

Thanks Teach Started by LostKiwi Friday, 07 January 2022 4 Replies

View all discussions Displaying 3 of 3 discussions

Members

View all (33)

Photo Albums

View all albums (1)

Activities Group Details

Thought for Today

Friday Smile

Teach

yesterdayyesterday

6,996 Days Quit

Repost:  It's the monkey!!!!

Love this - another excellent Gummer repost.
Have a good one.
Cara
D6995

*************************************************************************************************************************************

It's the monkey!
From gummer on 7/31/2007 11:15:36 PM

You know how addiction is often referred to as a "monkey on your back"? Well, I think there is actually a lot of wisdom in that expression....

You see, the worst part about quitting is that dreadful feeling of deprivation... that sense of not being able to have what YOU want... But that's where you make the mistake.... in believeing that by quitting you are denying yourself something YOU really want.

It is not so.

The truth is... that need to smoke does not come from YOU. It is not a voluntary, conscious desire that YOU come up with all on your own. Nope, it is a separate thing you are carrying around. A condition that flares up independently . A malady caused by smoking. A parasite. It is a monkey on your back.

A monkey that feeds on nicotine. And every time this monkey gets hungry it starts tugging gently at your hair, and when you don't respond it starts pulling harder, and biting at your ears, and poking it's fingers in your eyes until you pay it undivided attention. It will settle for no less. It becomes such a menace you simply cannot concentrate on anything until he is satisfied first. But once sated he curls up comfortably against your shoulder again, and rubs his soft fur against your cheek, filling you with comfort, and relaxation, and happiness.... and then you are both content for a while.... until he gets hungry again.... and turns on you.

This is what you have been living with all these years. And you have carried this burdensome ape around for so long you no longer know what is YOUR desire and what is HIS. You have come to believe that his needs are your's. You have come to identify yourself with him, to love him in spite of the constant abuse. You have blurred the line where you end and where he begins. You have, in fact, allowed him to take control and become a major part of you.

And that is why quitting is so hellish. Because by denying the monkey's demands you feel like you are denying your own needs. No more. It is time to separate them... to look at your need to smoke as something separate from you... something alien... unwelcome... a burden... a parasite feeding off you. Externalize that need to smoke. Set it aside from YOU. Recognize it as a scourge thrust UPON you by smoking. It has NOTHING TO DO WITH YOU. Every time you feel those withdrawals remember that it is not YOU bringing this on... what you are feeling is that bloody monkey tearing at you... having a fit because you will no longer play by it's rules. It is pulling out all the stops and tearing around your head, smacking you this way and that in a desperate attempt to get fed. But just like a real monkey, if you do not feed it, it will eventually go away.

So next time you feel desperate to smoke, remember... it's not YOU that wants the nicotine, it's the monkey. Don't feed it. Free yourself.

Gummer

Repost: It's the monkey!!!!

Love this - another excellent Gummer repost.
Have a good one.
Cara
D6995

*************************************************************************************************************************************

It's the monkey!
From gummer on 7/31/2007 11:15:36 PM

You know how addiction is often referred to as a "monkey on your back"? Well, I think there is actually a lot of wisdom in that expression....

You see, the worst part about quitting is that dreadful feeling of... Show more

Teach

yesterdayyesterday

6,996 Days Quit

Good morning everbuddy
Happy Friday to you!!!!!
Up and going for the day. Off to visit a centre for the last time today. Going to miss my kids there. I am saying NO to smoking today and keep moving forward along the Freedom Road. I hold my hand out to the next winning quitter joining me kicking ash to the curb today.
Have a great day
Cara
D6995

4Y 0M
Life Saved
$103,876
Money Saved
188,865
Unsmoked

Show previous comments (1)

Thought for Today

Thursday Smile

Repost:  A 7 year ramble

Great ideas in here - sometimes we elders know what we are talking about!
Quitting is doable.
KTQ
Cara
D6994

*********************************************************************************************************************************

7 Years Quit!
From: techy-girl
Date: 2014-01-01 09:34:51 
Message:
 7 years quit.  If I'd have known how great NOT smoking is, I'd have quit much, much earlier!

It's been an amazing year, and one of the most amazing things was meeting my quit-twin Joan (Joanieg).  I've known this incredible lady for 7 years, talked to her almost every day...  and never thought I'd get to meet her since we live over 1800 miles apart.  But in June, I was in her neck of the woods and she was kind enough to open her home to my husband and me.  It was one of the best things that I've ever experienced.  I can't describe how wonderful it was - and I hope that we can manage to get together again!  (((Sis)))...  you are THE BEST and I love you!

Do I ever think of lighting up?  Very rarely.  If I do, it's when I'm tired or down about something.  A little voice pops in and says "Why not have a smoke?  It'll fix EVERYTHING!!"  That totally unreasonable, illogical thought is always enough to make me laugh - and POOF just like that, the thought is gone.  I figure it's the old "inner junkie" trying to catch me unawares.  That is just NOT going to happen!  Besides, if I even seriously thought of smoking, Joan (Joanieg) would be here in a heartbeat kicking my ass from my house to hers and back again - several times.

So, after 7 years, here is my advice for quitting and staying quit.

1.  Start with just DON'T F***ING SMOKE - NOT ONE PUFF EVER, or DFS - NOPE.  Complete abstinence.  not one puff.  No matter what.  If you can keep from taking that very first deadly puff, you'll keep your quit.

2.  Get some quit buddies.  They are invaluable.  They will laugh with you, cry with you, give you tough love when you need it.  and then, you will do the same for them.  The support is incredible.  Without Joan, Ed, Colleen, Sana, Leslie, Christine, and many many others, I couldn't have done it.  Especially without Joan.  :)

3.  Pledge.  Post.  Repeat as necessary.  I still pledge most every day.  If I don't do it here, I make a personal pledge to myself.  Post if you need help, reach out for help!  People WILL answer.  They will offer their hands to help you along, as well as any/all forms of advice.  Then, you can go and do the same for someone else who needs YOUR hand to help THEM along.

4.  Take it one day at a time.  Just for today, don't smoke.  Or if you need to, take it 5 minutes at a time.  We can do just about ANYTHING for 5 minutes.  Concentrate on not smoking NOW.  Don't worry about tomorrow, it will take care of itself.

5.  Take responsibility for your quit.  If you blow your quit, it's not the dog's fault or your car's fault or the man in the moon's fault - it is YOUR fault.  You blew your quit.  You didn't lose it, you deliberately lit a cigarette and inhaled.  Suck it up, get over it, and start again.

Anyhow.  It all boils down to Number 1 - JUST DFS - NOPE.  No matter what.  It's not easy - but it is very simple and OH so worth it.

techy
7 years

2557 days, 8 hours, 25 minutes and 17 seconds smoke free. 51147  cigarettes not smoked.  $11,506.50  and 13 months, 16 hours of my life saved!  My quit date: 1/1/2007

Repost: A 7 year ramble

Great ideas in here - sometimes we elders know what we are talking about!
Quitting is doable.
KTQ
Cara
D6994

*********************************************************************************************************************************

7 Years Quit!
From: techy-girl
Date: 2014-01-01 09:34:51
Message:
7 years quit. If I'd have known how great NOT smoking is, I'd have quit much, much earlier!

It's been an amazing year, and one of the most amazing things was meeting my... Show more

Good morning all
Happy Thursday to you!!!!
Couple of more meetings today. I have to cut my internet on the 21 of this month as if I dont I have to pay for another month for 6 days. Be crazy bored without tv or internet. Alas such is life. I am saying NO to smoking and keeping to my path along the Freedom Road. I offer my hand in friendship and support to the next winner joining me kicking ash to the curb today.
Have a good one
Cara
D6994

4Y 0M
Life Saved
$103,861
Money Saved
188,838
Unsmoked

Show previous comments (2)

Thought for Today

Wednesday Smile

Show previous comments (1)

Repost:  No Man’s Ocean

This is a well written piece from @AdamzfinalQ ..  Adam was also a serial quitter who is now smoke free for over 7 yrs. – he did join NOPE365.
Have a great day.
Cara
D6993

No Man's Ocean:

When we first quit, it is like leaving the shore line with a vast ocean ahead of us. We board our quit boat and set off on our journey not sure of what's ahead. Fear is looming but we know we have to leave to start fresh. It's tough to go and seek new lands and new possibilities in life. At first we want to return because we can still see the shore and all that we left behind.

The cigs were our so called "friends" staring and calling back at us from shore. But we know they only offer negativity and bad health. If we go back, we know nothing will change and our efforts will be for not. We will have given up on our voyage, never giving ourselves the chance to see what we are capable of and where we could end up.

The fear can come and try to sweep us back to shore. To me it's more like no man's ocean than no man's land, and the cravings are the waves beating at us over and over again...but if we get out far enough, we make it past the breakers and find we aren't alone.

Others have found their own private Islands, and built new homes and new foundations. The waters are calmer and our friends help us find our own way, help us find new sources for survival. They lead us to our own secret lands where anything is possible. We have the chance to start new and explore life's possibilities with a new found freedom that staying on shore could never offer.

I feel I have been in no man's ocean, but I know I am arriving at my destination. It doesn't happen over night. The natural journey of our quit builds the foundation of our new lives, our new homes on our own private Islands. We stand amongst all the people that gave a damn while we were gritting through the ups and downs of our recovery.

We must stay resilient and see this thing through. We must live in the future every day. We must have faith and believe that we will reach our destination before we are there. Use your imagination and keep seeing what you are not now but what you will become! That's the only way to get off the shore of addiction and on the island of freedom. 
 
Adam

Repost: No Man’s Ocean

This is a well written piece from @AdamzfinalQ .. Adam was also a serial quitter who is now smoke free for over 7 yrs. – he did join NOPE365.
Have a great day.
Cara
D6993

No Man's Ocean:

When we first quit, it is like leaving the shore line with a vast ocean ahead of us. We board our quit boat and set off on our journey not sure of what's ahead. Fear is looming but we know we have to leave to start fresh. It's tough to go and seek new lands and new possibilities in life. At... Show more

Good morning all
Happy Hump Day!!!

Up and going for the day. In my office today. Over half way done my meetings so I am happy about that. Smoking is not on my agenda today nor will it be there any day. Saying NO to smoking and moving forward along the Freedom Road. I am offering my hand to the next winner joining me kicking ash to the curb.
Have a good one
Cara
D6993

4Y 0M
Life Saved
$103,846
Money Saved
188,811
Unsmoked

Show previous comments (2)

Thought for Today

Tuesday Smile

Repost: Let it Go!

I still remember a kindergarten class always singing this when Frozen was big. Free your mind - allow yourself to embrace the fact there is life after smoking. Let addiction go - walk the road of freedom - it is awesome here.
KTQ
Cara
D6068

*************************************************************************************************************************************************

Let it go!
From palNdrom on 5/14/2008 11:16:04 AM

Quitting is the best thing a smoker will... Show more

Good morning all
Happy Tuesday to you!

Up and going for the day today. Slept in so will pledge and run. Saying NO to smoking and keeping to my path along the Freedom Road. I hold my hand out to the next winner joining me kicking ash to the curb today.
Have a great day!
Have a good one
Cara
D6992

4Y 0M
Life Saved
$103,831
Money Saved
188,784
Unsmoked

Show previous comments (2)

Thought for Today

Monday Smile

Repost: Burn Your Bridges

Great repost..... Enjoy today.
KTQ
Cara
D6991

*********************************************************************************************************************************************************

Have you ever heard the expression to Burn Your Bridges or Burn Your Ships Behind You? (Both expressions mean exactly the same thing.) Now nobody knows for certain where or when the expressions first materialized. Some say that Caesar's soldiers were ordered to burn... Show more

Good morning all
Happy Monday!!!!!
I owe, I owe, off to work I go. 3 weeks of work, and prep for the move the following week. Smoking NO WAY. Shouting NO to smoking and making my way along the Freedom Road. I hold my hand out to the next winner joining me kicking ash to the curb today.
Have a great day
Cara
D6991

4Y 0M
Life Saved
$103,816
Money Saved
188,757
Unsmoked

Show previous comments (4)

Alberta Quits

Category

Created

Group admin