Happy Anniversary to Me!

Well, today is my 1 year anniversary of not smoking! I can't believe that I have done this.

I really started smoking at age 18. I had puffed on cigarettes before then, but I really started smoking as a senior in high school. I can remember the 'smoke area' at school. I remember my friend Tonya and I used to meet there every morning before school. There sure were some good times in the smoke area! (I'll save that for another blog topic)

If you have a friend or loved one that is smoking and you want them to stop, PLEASE do not harass them. Quitting smoking is very personal! Noone can make you or guilt you into quitting. If you have never been addicted to nicotine, then you can't possibly understand how hard it is to quit and if someone is nagging you over and over, it doesn't help. All you can do for that person is to help encourage them if they make the choice to try to quit on their own! If they fail, then don't beat them up emotionally over it. Trust me, they will beat themselves up enough. I tried several times before I finally quit this last time. As I've said in previous blogs, the thing that finally resonated with me is seeing my cousin in the hospital dying of smoking related cancer.

I know that I will always want a cigarette from time to time. I know my personality. The thing that keeps me a non-smoker is the fact that I know that I feel better and remembering the junk that was being pumped out of my cousin's lungs. So, happy anniversary to me!!!!!! -Jenni