For the past few years as I neared and entered my 30’s I was told by many to quit smoking. They were worried about my health. While I understand that I found it extremely hard to quit. It is not easy even with the aid of gum, medicines, and patches. I had tried on a few occasions to quit with no success.

Then my aunt was diagnosed with cancer and she struggled a great deal. While I do not consider myself possessing ESP or psychic powers there are times when I get vibes that things will happen. Unfortunately, this usually happens when bad things are about to happen. My aunt was in the hospital since February and I had a “feeling” that she would lose her battle on the same day and time that her father lost his battle with diabetes 14 years earlier. Sadly on March 7, 2004 at 12:30 AM, 14 years after her father’s death my aunt went to join him.

My mother called with one statement, “You were right”. I was smoking a cigarette at the time and I looked at it, finished it, and just decided to quit. I had cut down in the weeks prior to this time, but I truly did not have an intention of quitting. I just decided to that night. It was not easy, but I do have a strong will and I was determined to give up my last vice.

The cravings are tough so I had to find some sort of substitute. Initially, I replaced my need for a cigarette with life savers and root beer barrels. It helped, but since I have been trying to lose a substantial amount of weight I was not happy with the extra calories I was consuming. Then, the ulcers in my mouth started thus ending the use of life savers. Now, I don’t need a replacement for cravings.


I would be lying if I said that I have not caved in from time to time. People told me when I first quit if I picked up a cigarette again it would be all over and I would lose my fight. That was what I thought happened when I got upset and picked up my cigarettes one night. By then I had the same pack of opened cigarettes that I had when I quit and to say they were stale it was an understatement. That helped and they made me sick, so I out them back down and did not smoke another.

I won;t give them away. I am not ready to do that, I don’t want it to seem like I am punishing myself and psychologically if I get rid of them I will think that. If I get the urge I light up a stale one. People may say that the occasional cave in is me starting again, but I look at it a different way. If quitting for good for me means that I light one up every 2 weeks when only in March I was smoke 30 a day, then I won the battle. I am not in it to please anyone else, just myself. I think that is what everyone needs to do when they give up something.

I’ll keep you posted...






Never Too Late to Quit Smoking

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