Living in the moment.

One thing I've spent some time pondering on is how the smoking habit
steals precious moments away from you that can never be recovered...

....I've thought about the many times I've rushed my son or daughter
through a special moment, a conversation...in order that I might go
outside and smoke...

....how many times have I been with my kids, my family, my co-
workers...in body, but, not in mind...my mind wandered elsewhere. My
mind was preoccupied with smoking. My body felt the pang of nicotine
withdrawal. The vise grip it had on me. I thought about smoking. I
wasn't in the moment with my family or my friends or my co-
workers...my mind was completely preoccupied and focused on smoking.
Those moments are lost to me now. I did this many times. Many times
I could have taken extra time to do more with my kids, my husband...I
could have done a little more at work. BUT...smoking didn't allow
it. I had to smoke. It never allowed me to actually live and be in
the moment. I was always consumed with thinking about smoking...or
truly physically craving that cigarette. It is so sad to think of
special moments I lost all because of smoking.

....I'm glad to say that I really work hard to live in the moment and
enjoy each thing that I do. Even if I don't always enjoy each thing I
do...I am mindful and living that moment and not preoccupied with
"can't wait to get _____ done, so I can smoke". That burden has
thankfully been removed from me. I don't ever want to have to carry
that burden again.

Smoking was my "reward" for work completed.

How many times did I rush through things to get my "reward"...and lost
precious moments in the process. I rushed through the real
things...the good things in life to smoke a cigarette.

....I imagine I will always feel a little sad that smoking has stolen
much more from me than it ever gave me.

I will always try to remember to cherish as many "moments" as I can.
To live and experience them fully, for I have lost many with no one to
blame but myself.

I am so glad I quit smoking. Living in the moment is just one more
thing to be grateful for.

Just pondering things...in a pensive mood.

PreciousKittyKat +6..^=
Eight months, four weeks, 13 hours, 34 minutes and 43 seconds. 5451
cigarettes not smoked, saving $1,635.39. Life saved: 2 weeks, 4 days,
22 hours, 15 minutes.


Quitting smoking is so worth it. It is the best thing I have ever
done. It gets better and better and the rewards are many

On May 8, 11:36*pm, "PreciousKitty...@gmail.com"
<PreciousKitty...@gmail.com> wrote:
> One thing I've spent some time pondering on is how the smoking habit
> steals precious moments away from you that can never be recovered...
>
> ...I've thought about the many times I've rushed my son or daughter
> through a special moment, a conversation...in order that I might go
> outside and smoke...
>
> ...how many times have I been with my kids, my family, my co-
> workers...in body, but, not in mind...my mind wandered elsewhere. *My
> mind was preoccupied with smoking. *My body felt the pang of nicotine
> withdrawal. *The vise grip it had on me. *I thought about smoking. *I
> wasn't in the moment with my family or my friends or my co-
> workers...my mind was completely preoccupied and focused on smoking.
> Those moments are lost to me now. *I did this many times. *Many times
> I could have taken extra time to do more with my kids, my husband...I
> could have done a little more at work. *BUT...smoking didn't allow
> it. *I had to smoke. *It never allowed me to actually live and be in
> the moment. *I was always consumed with thinking about smoking...or
> truly physically craving that cigarette. *It is so sad to think of
> special moments I lost all because of smoking.
>
> ...I'm glad to say that I really work hard to live in the moment and
> enjoy each thing that I do. *Even if I don't always enjoy each thing I
> do...I am mindful and living that moment and not preoccupied with
> "can't wait to get _____ done, so I can smoke". *That burden has
> thankfully been removed from me. *I don't ever want to have to carry
> that burden again.
>
> Smoking was my "reward" for work completed.
>
> How many times did I rush through things to get my "reward"...and lost
> precious moments in the process. *I rushed through the real
> things...the good things in life to smoke a cigarette.
>
> ...I imagine I will always feel a little sad that smoking has stolen
> much more from me than it ever gave me.
>
> I will always try to remember to cherish as many "moments" as I can.
> To live and experience them fully, for I have lost many with no one to
> blame but myself.
>
> I am so glad I quit smoking. *Living in the moment is just one more
> thing to be grateful for.
>
> Just pondering things...in a pensive mood.
>
> PreciousKittyKat +6..^=
> Eight months, four weeks, 13 hours, 34 minutes and 43 seconds. 5451
> cigarettes not smoked, saving $1,635.39. Life saved: 2 weeks, 4 days,
> 22 hours, 15 minutes.
>
> Quitting smoking is so worth it. *It is the best thing I have ever
> done. *It gets better and better and the rewards are many

Man...that was one messed up kitty...

here...trying again

=^..^= !!!

Hi Kitty. I had never thought of it like that but you are SSOOOOO RIGHTTTT.
Thanks for that.

Anita in Oz
Six days, 5 hours, 35 minutes and 13 seconds. 249 cigarettes not smoked,
saving $104.71. Life saved: 20 hours, 45 minutes.

<PreciousKittyKat@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:995d9d4a-2799-4481-97ce-b3d49e1e0505@s50g2000hsb.googlegroups.com...
> One thing I've spent some time pondering on is how the smoking habit
> steals precious moments away from you that can never be recovered...
>
> ...I've thought about the many times I've rushed my son or daughter
> through a special moment, a conversation...in order that I might go
> outside and smoke...
>
> ...how many times have I been with my kids, my family, my co-
> workers...in body, but, not in mind...my mind wandered elsewhere. My
> mind was preoccupied with smoking. My body felt the pang of nicotine
> withdrawal. The vise grip it had on me. I thought about smoking. I
> wasn't in the moment with my family or my friends or my co-
> workers...my mind was completely preoccupied and focused on smoking.
> Those moments are lost to me now. I did this many times. Many times
> I could have taken extra time to do more with my kids, my husband...I
> could have done a little more at work. BUT...smoking didn't allow
> it. I had to smoke. It never allowed me to actually live and be in
> the moment. I was always consumed with thinking about smoking...or
> truly physically craving that cigarette. It is so sad to think of
> special moments I lost all because of smoking.
>
> ...I'm glad to say that I really work hard to live in the moment and
> enjoy each thing that I do. Even if I don't always enjoy each thing I
> do...I am mindful and living that moment and not preoccupied with
> "can't wait to get _____ done, so I can smoke". That burden has
> thankfully been removed from me. I don't ever want to have to carry
> that burden again.
>
> Smoking was my "reward" for work completed.
>
> How many times did I rush through things to get my "reward"...and lost
> precious moments in the process. I rushed through the real
> things...the good things in life to smoke a cigarette.
>
> ...I imagine I will always feel a little sad that smoking has stolen
> much more from me than it ever gave me.
>
> I will always try to remember to cherish as many "moments" as I can.
> To live and experience them fully, for I have lost many with no one to
> blame but myself.
>
> I am so glad I quit smoking. Living in the moment is just one more
> thing to be grateful for.
>
> Just pondering things...in a pensive mood.
>
> PreciousKittyKat +6..^=
> Eight months, four weeks, 13 hours, 34 minutes and 43 seconds. 5451
> cigarettes not smoked, saving $1,635.39. Life saved: 2 weeks, 4 days,
> 22 hours, 15 minutes.
>
>
> Quitting smoking is so worth it. It is the best thing I have ever
> done. It gets better and better and the rewards are many
>

PKK, you are SO right about all this. I'm guilty of much the same.
Life sure is special now that I don't smoke. I just seem to be enjoying
it more and more!

Cindy
Smobriety comes to: 1Y 4M 0W 1D 20H 6Mns $-Saved to date: $1922.99
Cigs not smoked: 9737


PreciousKittyKat@gmail.com wrote:
> One thing I've spent some time pondering on is how the smoking habit
> steals precious moments away from you that can never be recovered...
>
> ...I've thought about the many times I've rushed my son or daughter
> through a special moment, a conversation...in order that I might go
> outside and smoke...
>
> ...how many times have I been with my kids, my family, my co-
> workers...in body, but, not in mind...my mind wandered elsewhere. My
> mind was preoccupied with smoking. My body felt the pang of nicotine
> withdrawal. The vise grip it had on me. I thought about smoking. I
> wasn't in the moment with my family or my friends or my co-
> workers...my mind was completely preoccupied and focused on smoking.
> Those moments are lost to me now. I did this many times. Many times
> I could have taken extra time to do more with my kids, my husband...I
> could have done a little more at work. BUT...smoking didn't allow
> it. I had to smoke. It never allowed me to actually live and be in
> the moment. I was always consumed with thinking about smoking...or
> truly physically craving that cigarette. It is so sad to think of
> special moments I lost all because of smoking.
>
> ...I'm glad to say that I really work hard to live in the moment and
> enjoy each thing that I do. Even if I don't always enjoy each thing I
> do...I am mindful and living that moment and not preoccupied with
> "can't wait to get _____ done, so I can smoke". That burden has
> thankfully been removed from me. I don't ever want to have to carry
> that burden again.
>
> Smoking was my "reward" for work completed.
>
> How many times did I rush through things to get my "reward"...and lost
> precious moments in the process. I rushed through the real
> things...the good things in life to smoke a cigarette.
>
> ...I imagine I will always feel a little sad that smoking has stolen
> much more from me than it ever gave me.
>
> I will always try to remember to cherish as many "moments" as I can.
> To live and experience them fully, for I have lost many with no one to
> blame but myself.
>
> I am so glad I quit smoking. Living in the moment is just one more
> thing to be grateful for.
>
> Just pondering things...in a pensive mood.
>
> PreciousKittyKat +6..^=
> Eight months, four weeks, 13 hours, 34 minutes and 43 seconds. 5451
> cigarettes not smoked, saving $1,635.39. Life saved: 2 weeks, 4 days,
> 22 hours, 15 minutes.
>
>
> Quitting smoking is so worth it. It is the best thing I have ever
> done. It gets better and better and the rewards are many
>

Not only did I try to rush things to accomodate my addiction, but I
became increasingly irritable the longer someone or something kept me
from feeding that addiction. So nice to be free of that now.

---
Wayne Baker
Quit Date: August 4, 2007
Nicotine Free: 9M 4d 22h 11m
Not Smoked: 8,087
Money Better Spent: $1,334.36



"PreciousKittyKat@gmail.com" <PreciousKittyKat@gmail.com> wrote in
news:995d9d4a-2799-4481-97ce-b3d49e1e0505
@s50g2000hsb.googlegroups.com:

> One thing I've spent some time pondering on is how the smoking habit
> steals precious moments away from you that can never be recovered...
>
> ...I've thought about the many times I've rushed my son or daughter
> through a special moment, a conversation...in order that I might go
> outside and smoke...
>
> ...how many times have I been with my kids, my family, my co-
> workers...in body, but, not in mind...my mind wandered elsewhere.
My
> mind was preoccupied with smoking. My body felt the pang of
nicotine
> withdrawal. The vise grip it had on me. I thought about smoking.
I
> wasn't in the moment with my family or my friends or my co-
> workers...my mind was completely preoccupied and focused on smoking.
> Those moments are lost to me now. I did this many times. Many
times
> I could have taken extra time to do more with my kids, my
husband...I
> could have done a little more at work. BUT...smoking didn't allow
> it. I had to smoke. It never allowed me to actually live and be in
> the moment. I was always consumed with thinking about smoking...or
> truly physically craving that cigarette. It is so sad to think of
> special moments I lost all because of smoking.
>
> ...I'm glad to say that I really work hard to live in the moment and
> enjoy each thing that I do. Even if I don't always enjoy each thing
I
> do...I am mindful and living that moment and not preoccupied with
> "can't wait to get _____ done, so I can smoke". That burden has
> thankfully been removed from me. I don't ever want to have to carry
> that burden again.
>
> Smoking was my "reward" for work completed.
>
> How many times did I rush through things to get my "reward"...and
lost
> precious moments in the process. I rushed through the real
> things...the good things in life to smoke a cigarette.
>
> ...I imagine I will always feel a little sad that smoking has stolen
> much more from me than it ever gave me.
>
> I will always try to remember to cherish as many "moments" as I can.
> To live and experience them fully, for I have lost many with no one
to
> blame but myself.
>
> I am so glad I quit smoking. Living in the moment is just one more
> thing to be grateful for.
>
> Just pondering things...in a pensive mood.
>
> PreciousKittyKat +6..^=
> Eight months, four weeks, 13 hours, 34 minutes and 43 seconds. 5451
> cigarettes not smoked, saving $1,635.39. Life saved: 2 weeks, 4
days,
> 22 hours, 15 minutes.
>
>
> Quitting smoking is so worth it. It is the best thing I have ever
> done. It gets better and better and the rewards are many
>

Very well written, nicely said, good thoughts. Thanks. I especially
like the part about rushing through the task to get to the "reward". I
remember it well.
Sue

On Thu, 8 May 2008 21:36:09 -0700 (PDT), "PreciousKittyKat@gmail.com"
<PreciousKittyKat@gmail.com> wrote:

>One thing I've spent some time pondering on is how the smoking habit
>steals precious moments away from you that can never be recovered...
>
>...I've thought about the many times I've rushed my son or daughter
>through a special moment, a conversation...in order that I might go
>outside and smoke...
>
>...how many times have I been with my kids, my family, my co-
>workers...in body, but, not in mind...my mind wandered elsewhere. My
>mind was preoccupied with smoking. My body felt the pang of nicotine
>withdrawal. The vise grip it had on me. I thought about smoking. I
>wasn't in the moment with my family or my friends or my co-
>workers...my mind was completely preoccupied and focused on smoking.
>Those moments are lost to me now. I did this many times. Many times
>I could have taken extra time to do more with my kids, my husband...I
>could have done a little more at work. BUT...smoking didn't allow
>it. I had to smoke. It never allowed me to actually live and be in
>the moment. I was always consumed with thinking about smoking...or
>truly physically craving that cigarette. It is so sad to think of
>special moments I lost all because of smoking.
>
>...I'm glad to say that I really work hard to live in the moment and
>enjoy each thing that I do. Even if I don't always enjoy each thing I
>do...I am mindful and living that moment and not preoccupied with
>"can't wait to get _____ done, so I can smoke". That burden has
>thankfully been removed from me. I don't ever want to have to carry
>that burden again.
>
>Smoking was my "reward" for work completed.
>
>How many times did I rush through things to get my "reward"...and lost
>precious moments in the process. I rushed through the real
>things...the good things in life to smoke a cigarette.
>
>...I imagine I will always feel a little sad that smoking has stolen
>much more from me than it ever gave me.
>
>I will always try to remember to cherish as many "moments" as I can.
>To live and experience them fully, for I have lost many with no one to
>blame but myself.
>
>I am so glad I quit smoking. Living in the moment is just one more
>thing to be grateful for.
>
>Just pondering things...in a pensive mood.
>
>PreciousKittyKat +6..^=
>Eight months, four weeks, 13 hours, 34 minutes and 43 seconds. 5451
>cigarettes not smoked, saving $1,635.39. Life saved: 2 weeks, 4 days,
>22 hours, 15 minutes.
>
>
>Quitting smoking is so worth it. It is the best thing I have ever
>done. It gets better and better and the rewards are many

Yeah, thatnks for putting this in words, PKK. I agree with everyone Sue and everyone
else here on this.

Sue <sebrady@thegrid.net> penned.wrote.stated:
: Very well written, nicely said, good thoughts. Thanks. I especially
: like the part about rushing through the task to get to the "reward". I
: remember it well.
: Sue

: On Thu, 8 May 2008 21:36:09 -0700 (PDT), "PreciousKittyKat@gmail.com"
: <PreciousKittyKat@gmail.com> wrote:

:>One thing I've spent some time pondering on is how the smoking habit
:>steals precious moments away from you that can never be recovered...
:>
:>...I've thought about the many times I've rushed my son or daughter
:>through a special moment, a conversation...in order that I might go
:>outside and smoke...
:>
:>...how many times have I been with my kids, my family, my co-
:>workers...in body, but, not in mind...my mind wandered elsewhere. My
:>mind was preoccupied with smoking. My body felt the pang of nicotine
:>withdrawal. The vise grip it had on me. I thought about smoking. I
:>wasn't in the moment with my family or my friends or my co-
:>workers...my mind was completely preoccupied and focused on smoking.
:>Those moments are lost to me now. I did this many times. Many times
:>I could have taken extra time to do more with my kids, my husband...I
:>could have done a little more at work. BUT...smoking didn't allow
:>it. I had to smoke. It never allowed me to actually live and be in
:>the moment. I was always consumed with thinking about smoking...or
:>truly physically craving that cigarette. It is so sad to think of
:>special moments I lost all because of smoking.
:>
:>...I'm glad to say that I really work hard to live in the moment and
:>enjoy each thing that I do. Even if I don't always enjoy each thing I
:>do...I am mindful and living that moment and not preoccupied with
:>"can't wait to get _____ done, so I can smoke". That burden has
:>thankfully been removed from me. I don't ever want to have to carry
:>that burden again.
:>
:>Smoking was my "reward" for work completed.
:>
:>How many times did I rush through things to get my "reward"...and lost
:>precious moments in the process. I rushed through the real
:>things...the good things in life to smoke a cigarette.
:>
:>...I imagine I will always feel a little sad that smoking has stolen
:>much more from me than it ever gave me.
:>
:>I will always try to remember to cherish as many "moments" as I can.
:>To live and experience them fully, for I have lost many with no one to
:>blame but myself.
:>
:>I am so glad I quit smoking. Living in the moment is just one more
:>thing to be grateful for.
:>
:>Just pondering things...in a pensive mood.
:>
:>PreciousKittyKat +6..^=
:>Eight months, four weeks, 13 hours, 34 minutes and 43 seconds. 5451
:>cigarettes not smoked, saving $1,635.39. Life saved: 2 weeks, 4 days,
:>22 hours, 15 minutes.
:>
:>
:>Quitting smoking is so worth it. It is the best thing I have ever
:>done. It gets better and better and the rewards are many

Precious,
Thank you for making me Ponder those thoughts as well.
I'm not in a good place right niow in my life....BUT...
I'm not smoking.
I AM an addict...and cigarettes was ONE of the things I was addicted
to.
Although the smoking is gone, I'm still an addict....and can so EASILY
pick up 'a' habit.

Being quit for almost 11 months now.....I USED to tuck that under my
belt with pride AS IF that 'feat' alone will KEEP ME QUIT for months/
years to come. I think (for my self) that THAT thought is bullshit.

I can easily pick up a $#%^& cigarette again ...(or some OTHER BAD
HABIT)

Thanks again for the thougts.
Sorry...but I thinkIve said TOO much and I didnt mean to say it HERE
on your thread.
SOmetimes I just BLAB away...because I need to get it out.

SilentNight
Ten months, three weeks, one day, 19 hours, 40 minutes and 34 seconds.
8195 cigarettes not smoked, saving $1,311.28. Life saved: 4 weeks, 10
hours, 55 minutes.

On May 8, 11:36*pm, "PreciousKitty...@gmail.com"
<PreciousKitty...@gmail.com> wrote:
> One thing I've spent some time pondering on is how the smoking habit
> steals precious moments away from you that can never be recovered...
>
> ...I've thought about the many times I've rushed my son or daughter
> through a special moment, a conversation...in order that I might go
> outside and smoke...
>
> ...how many times have I been with my kids, my family, my co-
> workers...in body, but, not in mind...my mind wandered elsewhere. *My
> mind was preoccupied with smoking. *My body felt the pang of nicotine
> withdrawal. *The vise grip it had on me. *I thought about smoking. *I
> wasn't in the moment with my family or my friends or my co-
> workers...my mind was completely preoccupied and focused on smoking.
> Those moments are lost to me now. *I did this many times. *Many times
> I could have taken extra time to do more with my kids, my husband...I
> could have done a little more at work. *BUT...smoking didn't allow
> it. *I had to smoke. *It never allowed me to actually live and be in
> the moment. *I was always consumed with thinking about smoking...or
> truly physically craving that cigarette. *It is so sad to think of
> special moments I lost all because of smoking.
>
> ...I'm glad to say that I really work hard to live in the moment and
> enjoy each thing that I do. *Even if I don't always enjoy each thing I
> do...I am mindful and living that moment and not preoccupied with
> "can't wait to get _____ done, so I can smoke". *That burden has
> thankfully been removed from me. *I don't ever want to have to carry
> that burden again.
>
> Smoking was my "reward" for work completed.
>
> How many times did I rush through things to get my "reward"...and lost
> precious moments in the process. *I rushed through the real
> things...the good things in life to smoke a cigarette.
>
> ...I imagine I will always feel a little sad that smoking has stolen
> much more from me than it ever gave me.
>
> I will always try to remember to cherish as many "moments" as I can.
> To live and experience them fully, for I have lost many with no one to
> blame but myself.
>
> I am so glad I quit smoking. *Living in the moment is just one more
> thing to be grateful for.
>
> Just pondering things...in a pensive mood.
>
> PreciousKittyKat +6..^=
> Eight months, four weeks, 13 hours, 34 minutes and 43 seconds. 5451
> cigarettes not smoked, saving $1,635.39. Life saved: 2 weeks, 4 days,
> 22 hours, 15 minutes.
>
> Quitting smoking is so worth it. *It is the best thing I have ever
> done. *It gets better and better and the rewards are many

When I tell you "I'm as free as I've ever been", that is what I am
free from.
Addiction to cigarettes and nicotine was ABSOLUTE SLAVERY!!!!!!!!
Replying to your post, I see my friends, family and coworkers were
enslaved too.
Keep posting.......

PKK! Thank you for this post! I know I have been guilty of not being
present because I was too focused on my addiction and taking care of
it instead of the people around me way too often in the past. I am
glad that I am now smober and I do my best to stay focused in the
'now' regardless of it being a good or bad time. Thank you for the
reminder!

FlatironMike
One year, two months, four weeks, 16 hours, 47 minutes and 43 seconds.
9073 cigarettes not smoked, saving $2,721.95. Life saved: 4 weeks, 3
days, 12 hours, 5 minutes.

Kitty, thanks for putting it into words EXACTLY how I feel about
smoking..
It's probably the ONLY thing that has kept me smober---due to my job.

One year, 8 months, 4 days

Mari

On Mon, 12 May 2008 04:44:11 -0500, Mari-Roe@webtv.net (Mari Roe)
wrote:

>Kitty, thanks for putting it into words EXACTLY how I feel about
>smoking..
> It's probably the ONLY thing that has kept me smober---due to my job.
>
>One year, 8 months, 4 days
>
>Mari

Good to see you!!!! You're meter's looking great.
Sue

Thanks, Sue!

Mari

On Mon, 12 May 2008 16:27:09 -0500, Mari-Roe@webtv.net (Mari Roe)
wrote:

>Thanks, Sue!
>
>Mari

I'm glad that your Usenet reader doesn't copy the original post to
which you're replying. Seeing my grammar error once was enough.
Geeze!!!
YOUR meter looks great!!
Sue