I guess it's official!

[zapped]

Yesterday my wife and I were going into our local department of motor vehicles to renew our tags and this younger guy comes out and asks if either of us have a cigarette.

I shook my head and said "Im sorry I dont smoke". The words were totally spontaneous, didnt even give them any conscious thought at all before responding.

Might seem trivial to some but for me it was profound.I never thought I would ever say that in a million years and I found myself smiling very hard as I let that statement sink in.

 

[Gummy Bare]

This little street rat kid by my house always asks me for a cigarette because he see's me blowing clouds from a distance wile I’m walking my dog. He always gives me this dirty look when I say “no, I don’t smoke” because I’m sure he just thinks I’m holding out on him.

Remember the joke when someone would ask “got an extra cigarette”; you’d reply with “nope, the pack only came with 20”. I’m gonna have to start saying “nope, the box only came with one”

 

[Baditude]

I love hearing about these so-called profound moments. They are always deeply personal and meaningful to the person that experiences them.

I remember reading a post by fellow ECF'er, one of my ECF friends, and always one of my favorite posters here, grandmato5. She always has a way of telling a great story. In a particular post she was describing just walking in the lawn during a light misty rain, and being able to smell the fresh moistened earth and grass for the first time in years after quitting smoking.

It literally brought tears to my eyes. It seems like such a simple, insignificant thing. But the VERY SAME experience also happened to me not more than a day before reading her comment. It had been decades since I had last smelled that wonderful smell of nature. It was a profound moment to me that was very personal and meaningful, and likely something that the vast majority of people take for granted.

 

[DigitalDoom]

I went to a new doctor recently and experienced the same feeling when the nurse asked me if I smoke. It had been 20+ years since I got to say 'No, I don't smoke'

 

[xanderxman]

My otherwise meaningless yet profound moment happened just the other night. My daughter was braiding some sort of thread around her iPod headphones and asked me for a lighter to burn the ends together. Rather than reaching into my pocket, I frantically searched the house for 10 minutes before I could find one. It felt good to not have a lighter within reach and showed me how my thought process has changed.

When I smoked I was always the guy with the lighter at birthday parties or whenever else it was convenient. Now, people need to find another lighter guy. And I am extremely happy about that.

 

[LV SuzyQ]

Yesterday my wife and I were going into our local department of motor vehicles to renew our tags and this younger guy comes out and asks if either of us have a cigarette.

I shook my head and said "Im sorry I dont smoke". The words were totally spontaneous, didnt even give them any conscious thought at all before responding.

Might seem trivial to some but for me it was profound.I never thought I would ever say that in a million years and I found myself smiling very hard as I let that statement sink in.

Yay Zapped!!!

I was really touched by your story and I can totally relate. At work ( large casino) we go out to an employees smoking area and the other day saw a coworker who had taken a LOA for a few months and she asked me " aren't you coming out to smoke? " and I instantly just replied "I don't smoke anymore" she said oh wow good for you. After I let those words sink in I actually felt tears welling up in my eyes. It was a really happy and proud moment.

 

[razor4432]

Big Congrats to you! That is the "Moment" that every one at some point recognizes they are freed. I can't wait to get to experience and have satisfaction in being able to say that.
Congrats again

 

[DJ RyckRak]

Went out last week to restart the Outdoor Wood Furnace, reached in my pocket for my lighter....I didn't have it.
Can not remember when I did not carry a lighter...maybe forty years ago ?

Work in a High School Tech Center. Got there just as a busload of teens were coming in, right ahead of them.
They used to race by me up the stairs....not any more, I'm taking two stairs at a time- first to the top !
Not bad for 57

 

[Thucydides]

Congratulations, zapped! That's an awesome story.

 

[Tanti]

Yesterday my wife and I were going into our local department of motor vehicles to renew our tags and this younger guy comes out and asks if either of us have a cigarette.

I shook my head and said "Im sorry I dont smoke". The words were totally spontaneous, didnt even give them any conscious thought at all before responding.

Might seem trivial to some but for me it was profound.I never thought I would ever say that in a million years and I found myself smiling very hard as I let that statement sink in.

That is so awesome!
my moment came when my battery died on Valentines day and was hours from home. Yes I went into a panic. BUT not for an analog but for an e-cig. Buying a pack didnt even come into mind even when I couldnt find a disposible e-cig and I was in a store with all the brands of analogs right infront of me. That is when I knew I had beat the hold cigarettes have had on me for so long. It was really the best feeling!Thank you e-cigs!

 

[Ryedan]

Congratulations Zapped! I know what you mean and I'm happy you got to experience that

 

[dam718]

I have had a couple of instances where people have asked for a lighter and I haven't had one... But I haven't been emotional about it... Yet...

I did, however, just realize today that it's much more convenient only having to carry a ProVari in my pocket, rather than a pack of cigarettes, a lighter, sometimes a second pack of cigarettes, and enough money to buy yet another pack of cigarettes, and sometimes a spare lighter...

Haha...

Now it's just a battery... Almost 4 months without a cigarette... I feel pretty damn good about it too I haven't been to see my doctor since I quit... He's gonna soil himself...

 

[zapped]

Its definitely a more efficient setup than analogs. Remember cartons? I used to hate how much space they took up over my refrigerator.

I'm sure your doctors report is going to be glowing.

Thanks everyone for all the kind words and support. I couldnt have quit and stayed off analogs or made it to this point without my friends and even some enemies so Im thankful for that and for you guys and the forums.

 

[Baditude]

I'm sure your doctors report is going to be glowing.

Last week, my doc officially wrote in his update in my chart. "He quit smoking 10 months ago, but now uses a water pipe to address the hand-to-mouth behavior of smoking cessation."

I had showed him my Provari and explained to him how it worked. Of course he approved and was quite facinated by it.