Really appreciate all the good words, folks. The support here on this Forum is just immense.
In all those years, I only tried once to quit. At the time, I was about 2 years into the habit. Made it for 3 days, and realized that my irritability factor was so high that there was risk of doing some real damage to my relationships, not to mention the risk of an unfortunate over-reaction to the activity level of the little toddler in the house. In brief: I scared myself and grabbed back onto those cigarettes like the life-preservers they *aren't*. It's been my One Vice, and I felt entitled to it ... not to mention that the world was a lot safer with me on the cigs. I never tried again until a month ago.
And the other thing is, I've never felt very defensive about the fact I smoked. On the contrary, I could be counted on to point out the fallacies in the opinions of supposed "experts" who vilified cigarettes at every turn. Reactions of some friends and family members to my quitting has been along the lines of "You? Quit smoking? Don't make me laugh ... but did you really? I thought you'd be the last smoker standing when the dust all cleared."
So having gone a month is not just a major achievement at a personal level, it's also probably kind of astounding.
COUSIN! Good to hear from a Western Cousin leaving European Tobacco products behind! I have just passed my three month mark and am going strong, still want a cigarette now and then but I just vape my head off until it passes.
Tobacco is an extremely tough challenge in our culture, we honor it and we abuse it. Towards this end I pride myself on buying from Vendors who use natural USA nicotine extract to continue to honor our tradition and I feel that vaping is accepted by the Spirit and Ancestors as a "Clean" alternative to smoking.
I have a message on my cell phone that is over two years old from a Cousin who passed from cancer. She is singing Happy Birthday to me. I was honored to finally quit smoking and start vaping on my Birthday, just after I listened to her message, as I do annually, Her Spirit has kept it from being purged from my voice mail, even though it should be long gone.
She was a stubborn smoker to the end, and I can't blame her, I loved her too much to criticize. But, there were people who did criticize her, one even gifting her a bible, (as if somehow she was ignorant of her Creator for smoking... she knew the Bible well without having to have one gifted to her). It made her cry, but she understood that sometimes good intentions get twisted in their application, she forgave them when she realized that at least she knew they cared.
Many people will misunderstand what you are doing and be critical, but ultimately it is all between you and your Creator and I'm sure The Spirit is pleased to see you taking better care of yourself. For some of us, it is the most The Spirit can expect!
I can see you have forgiven your friends for being critical, as you should, and have reached out to those who can give you the positive reenforcement you need. You are to be saluted for many positive things today, more than just switching to vaping, you have found Yourself and only Good Things can follow One who chooses such a Path!
but the first hurdle has been passed and you will feel the health benefits! I recently had a check up at the Docs and my lung capacity has increased (he used the little blowing machine) since quitting, not by much yet as it`s early days and the 35 years have taken their toll, but it`s increasing and NOT decreasing which would be the case if I were still smoking!
