My plans for the day are to take many deep breaths– grateful that I can do so, smiling at the thought that my clothes no longer stink of tobacco and, finally, proud that I no longer have to be the pariah of many public events.
I do not judge or turn up my nose at those who still smoke. I understand that smoking is both psychological and physical– and probably one of the most difficult habits to break.
I started smoking as a young teenager during my middle-school days. My love of cigarettes was not due to peer pressure; I was a leader– not a follower.
I most likely started smoking because I thought doing so was oh-so-glamorous and sophisticated. Many of the movie stars and television personalities smoked those days. Andy of Mayberry and Lucy and Ricky smoked on their programs. I also remember seeing Walt Disney on television puffing on a cigarette. Their behavior was certainly not intended to corrupt our young minds. However, for many of us youngsters, it did have influence on our behavior. After all, they were our role models.
For those wondering what methods I used to quit, I offer the following:
First, I had to find the right motivation. My reasons for trying to quit in the past had always been pretty run-of-the-mill– the cost of cigarettes, stinky clothes and hair, fear of cancer, chronic pneumonia and bronchitis and the unhappiness it caused my husband and mother. Although those were all good reasons and may be motivators for others, none of them worked for me.
My motivator came to be when I was told that I had periodontal disease. How was that a motivator? My periodontist informed me that if I didn’t quit smoking I’d probably lose my teeth. Now that was a hell of a motivator! With the genetics in my family (my mother is nearly 99), dying doesn’t scare me, but living without teeth does. Ah, vanity. That was and still is my motivator. Thanks to nicotine patches and a 12-step program, I finally did it.
I am a non-smoker– or as many of us call it– smober.
For those still hooked on cigarettes, may your efforts to quit smoking be successful. Search for your motivation and get started. There is no failing. Just do your best. If I can do it, you can, too.