I've heard that runners reach some point that is a physical reaction to such intense beating of one's body. It has been described as "the wall". That is when you think you can't make it another step, when your body hurts so badly that you want to lay down on the pavement and stop, but you know that if you can make it past "the wall" you have more there to draw from. There is another storage of strength that you haven't tapped into yet. It's behind this wall of pain.
I wonder if we reach that place here with the non-smoking race. I wonder if we pass that wall (some of us) and know that we won't fail now. I wonder if we just draw on that reserve strength forever. I envision this to be true.
I think there are those who make it past that wall of resistance and past that point of no return. I think there are those who don't look back. I think there are those who refuse to stop.
I do see this as a race and I see it as a marathon - long distance marathon. And the finish line will never ever be there. It is a myth that you will cross that finish line. You won't. It's never going to come under your feet.
I know this because of those who have quit for years and gone back. I know there isn't going to be a finish line. I think the best I can hope for is just getting past that "wall of pain" and staying in that safe zone and drawing from that reserve strength for as long as I run this race. I don't think there is a finish line.
I also don't think you go all the way back to the starting gate if you lose your quit. I think you start wherever you left off. Sure, you reset your quit meter and have to start that over at the beginning, but you are definitely not a beginner to quitting.
You learn from each failure. I think that's what this world is all about. I think we are supposed to learn something here. So, this is as good a lesson as any. What the hell am I learning here anyhow? {hahaha} I have learned so much! I could list volumes of learned stuff. {hahahahaha}
Hang in there gang - keep going & don't give up!
