On the Brink

[roneo]

Today, circumstances colluded against me to drive me to the brink. Fortunately I had a very dear friend dissuade me from breaking down but it was a stark reminder that there is no safe period when temptation won't rear its ugly head.

[Briarwood Administrator Ducky]

I'm so happy Ron that your friend dissuaded you coz we all know how easy it is to be tempted. I remember picking up a pack one day that hubby left on the table, holding it in my hand and looking at them and I was very tempted BUT I had a talk with myself and put them down and walked away. Probably sniffed them first😂 Anyway it took strength and courage for you Ron and I'm sooo Proud of you. Look at you now at 6 months 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼and as you say, we have to be vigilant😳 it's a basic instinct to want something we can't have but we know this and yes we have to stay alert. Thanks for reminding us of this Ron and the next time temptation rears its ugly head, please jump on here so We can dissuade you. Sending you love and hugs to raise your serotonin levels😘😘😘 keep on keeping on😊x

[roneo The legend in reply to Briarwood]

Thanks for the encouragement Briar. The right kind of person & non judgemental support makes it so much easier than going it alone. I suspect I may have succumbed (?) if I had to get through the crisis alone. Keep those happy chemicals coming.

[shantimar]

Hi Ron 😃

So proud of you not giving in and so glad you've got a great supportive friend around 👍👍

As both you and Briar say we have got to be vigilant no matter how long our quit or how easy we have found it 😐

Xx

[roneo The legend in reply to shantimar]

One of my greatest disappointments Shanti was the discovery that one can still get a "hankering", even years after quitting. Even when we develop new, cigarette free neural pathways, the old paths are still entrenched, lurking in the background.

[glolin LONG TERM WINNER]

Hi ronoe,

That is fantastic that you did not weaken. I totally agree, I do not think we can ever fully let our guard down.

You have come this far, there is no way that you want to o it all over again Take the win..cos you earned it

[roneo The legend in reply to glolin]

Unfortunately Linda, I think, left to my own devices I may very well have bombed out today. I have to give all the credit to my friend for "talking me down off the ledge".

[glolin LONG TERM WINNER in reply to roneo]

I am so glad that you have such a beautiful friend.

[Hidden]

Hi Ron .. glad you're OK; it is a blessing to have a friend who sticks with you.

My brain seems to be colluding against me lately!

Hope you have a peaceful day! Will

[roneo The legend in reply to Hidden]

G'day Will, There's no doubt in my mind that after the first few weeks, the brain is the only enemy to quitting, unless your on NRTs of some kind. Even when reprogrammed, there remains that file in the hard drive waiting to remind us that smoking is is a panacea for all ills. Consciously we know it not to be true but we're fighting many, many years of daily reinforcement.

[monky Administrator Cake sniffer outer]

Ron, I'm soooooooo PROUD of you for not giving in and I just love your friend for helping you out at a bad time

Ron, I know your a lot more intelligenterererererer than I am BUT, BUT, am just thinking, rite Us humans are very habitual we like to be ermm, comfortable

What I'm trying to say Ron is, maybe try changing your habits like when you get up in the morning instead of going for your 3 sss's, go and get yourself a cuppa first then, take your cuppa to your bedroom and have your 3 sss's then

As during your day, if you do something or normally go somewhere, then DONT, change it so it is not a habit any more Make NEW habits New Comfort zones

Just a thought Ron

Pete

[roneo The legend]

You're right Pete,

I try to vary my routines but sometimes it results in shaving cream in all the wrong places. I'm actually fine from day to day. It isn't difficult for one's rational mind to conclude that smoking has all negatives & no positives. It's in times of depression or anger when rational logic can take a back seat to instinctive behaviour. Sadly, in such times I am inclined to brood alone rather than seek out support. Yesterday was somewhat of an aberration & a very fortunate one at that. I am hoping that, in future I can reach out rather than withdraw into myself.

[Briarwood Administrator Ducky in reply to roneo]

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[roneo The legend]

Thak you Briar.

[Kas100 LONG TERM WINNER]

Oh Ron so pleased you managed to stay quit. You did well.

I've become to realise that this process is life long.

Stressed, upset or angry still make me desperately want to smoke and I think that will always be the case- hence my many previous quits.

Only difference this time is I've accepted it's a lifelong battle and somehow that helps me stay stronger than before.

Take care

Kas

[roneo The legend in reply to Kas100]

Thanks Kas,

Like you I have "successfully" quit on a number of occasions, only to relapse. I'm beginning to accept that it's a lifelong battle & yes, I think it will be easier than "waiting" for that special day to come when smoking is no longer a reflexive reaction to stress, depression, anger or anxiety.

[Ickytoots1 9yearsSmokefree]

You done great to resist <3 proud of you xx