I've enjoyed watching your last few blogs, and wish you all the best these next 30-some days! Thanks for your candor and openness in sharing! All the best
You talked about how some people got on your case about how you've tried to quit smoking and that it isn't 'good enough'. One of my sparkfriends posted a blog the other day that might help you. The specific topic is different but the message is the same. Every person has an opinion and some people believe their opinion is the most important, but it is up to us to choose what to believe and persue, while being open to other information to either strengthen or change our opinion.
imperfections, schimperfections - sounds like you are going to make good use of the next 40 days. :) I'm joining in your Lent excursion!! Getting away from the laptop is a good idea - and giving up alcohol is even more amazing!! You can do it! (Smoking is easier to give up once you're not drinking!!)
You can't ask for anything stronger than faith and determination. I truly believe it brought me to this place in my journey. May this be an awesome season of seeking the Lord and finding a new you in the process. You are gonna ROCK this no smoking thing. Suck up all the good support and ignore the negative nellies.
I have that book! It's next to my workout DVDs. I think they are by the scale? Now where did that scale go? Water--awesome! Walking? Way to go! Patch/no patch who cares? I'm looking forward to you streaking no smoking for 56 days! Whether that is now or later, I don't care. You are making the choices that you think are manageable.
I did want to encourage you a bit with regards to trying to quit smoking. I too, used the patch. I have been smoke free for five years as of January. I found the patch to be a very effective tool in helping me to quit. In my view, what ever works to help you quit is what is important. So use your patch and tell the busybodies that you are on your way to success. If you choose to try to quit later on during Lent, good luck to you!
Thank you all for the kind and encouraging words. You all rock. I believe someone once told me that the color of your pee is a great indicator of your hydration, and that the more color it has, the more ovbious that you aren't taking enough in. So here's to clear pee!
Hey there! This was one heartfelt vlog that says a whole lot about setting 'realistic' goals. Not that setting 'realistic' ones makes reaching them any easier, but at least they are not sought with less passion than they might deserve. Your goals sound reasonable, well weighed and thoughtfully considered. And, knowing your mindset, at least as well as I can know it within the confines of SP, I think you will give your goals, your sacrifices for the sacrifice of better health, a run for the money. In other words, I think you will make them so.
As for stopping smoking - although I did not hear this has a confessed commitment during this time, it seem to be out there as a possibility - And the success of this possible commitment revealed to us, perhaps, at the end of the 40 days. I think it may be true that taking on too many challenges at one time can prove to be our undoing ... BUT ... it is not to say that it is impossible. So, I for one, am cheering you on in your daily devotionals, your morning water, your longer walks, your absence from alcohol, and, if it seems doable, your absence from smoking.
For those in the past who were naysayers about the patch, I hope there is a lesson learned here. The things we say .... matter .... and if we are going to be supportive and make a positive difference in the lives of one another, lets consider that our words DO matter here. Merited approval is so much more productive than disapproval, and especially when disapproval is so absolutely unnecessary!
Fortunately you are brilliant and will not allow a one-size-fits-all attitude throw you off a track that leads you directly where you choose to go.
You GO, HANKENSTEIN, with patch or without, for no matter what course you take we are sure to see you at the finish line ..................in 40 days.
You my friend will walk your own journey, and it is a great journey with great goals. I love that you bring God with you on this journey. Anyone that tells you how to walk your own journey is a fool! They have their own to walk. I can suggest to you things to look at, from my own walk, but for anyone to tell you; you are doing it wrong is just an idiot. Unless you are harming yourself or someone else. Oh but that is right you are with smoking. You do what ever it takes and what ever tool there is out there for you to stop. If it is setting and working on lesser goals to establish confidence to look at that goal, then you do what ever you can live with. You know your limits. I think your approach is good. I support you 1000%. To bad you are behind me in most everything...but you know I think you will catch up real soon LOL...ya know I am teasing you big guy! Seriously though, I love ya Hank and please feel free to come chat if you ever need to. I am here for you and want you to succeed. I know when I tell you that you need to push yourself out of your comfort zone, you do it because you know it will help you. Hard work it is, but I believe you are up for this challenge and whom better to do it with than the Lord. He has given us so much and ask very little from us in return and what He does ask is just love baby and we surely can do that. You are setting yourself up for success and success is what you will have. Always remember to enjoy the journey, if you can't fake it until you make it. I will join you, hold your hand along the way or even kick your butt if you need either one, or even just a sounding post I am a good listener too. I already do or have done what you will start, but still I am here with ya, all the way. Hugs, Erin
Congratulations on making a plan! So many of us don't even get that far. You must do what works for you. Ignore the negative people! I enjoyed your blog and feel that your plans for lent are very positive.
There is no "wrong" way to quit smoking. I know two people (husband and wife cousins) who quit using the patch. It's been years now since they smoked. They waited till he got lung damage to quit. Don't wait that long, do it now and be grateful for your health. Good luck with quitting.
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