Get a New Best Friend

My smoking created a network of friends, beginning with high school, smoking always placed me and others around the ash tray.

Although smoking began as a cool thing and created an ever widening circle of friends, it quickly became a tool of separation. I did not want anything to do with organized religion and smoking kept the "preachers" away (as a smoker, I wasn't good enough to save).

After enjoying 40+ years of separation from the religious circles, I found that I always had this nagging need for a relationship with my Creator. Believing myself to be unworthy, I vowed to quit the cigarette habit. I joined quitnet.com and the computer suggested that I quit on January 15, 2005. I adjusted the date to February 1, 2005.

When February 1 arrived, I adjusted the date. When each deadline arrived, I failed to quit - every quit day telling myself that I would get serious tomorrow.

On the morning of the 3rd of March, I knew that I either needed to quit or quit the quit again! After going through the entire day of not smoking, I was so proud of myself, that I went outside to my patio to celebrate by lighting up another cigarette! Fortunately, the moment that smoke landed on my tongue, I had the sensation of having licked the bottom of an ashtray - the cigarette was immediately discarded and I have not (33-months) smoked since.

Although there were times, in the first year, when I appreciated others smoking so that I could breathe in the smell. My sense of smell is so improved that I can sometimes smell cigarette smoke coming from the car in front of me on the freeway.

Although it may not be "politically correct" (whoever invented that should be shot), the smell is so repulsive - I would hope that it might be banned throughout the country!

My assist through all this? Although QuitNet helped, the Holy Spirit of God was and is my real partner. I do not believe anyone can quit this evil habit without another persons steadfast support.