I wonder what the difference is between a strong quitter, one who just knows they will never smoke again, and an unstable quitter, one who is afraid of tomorrow.
I think the answer is simple tho. I think it is merely how we see ourselves. Step back and say "You stay there, just a minute, don't move." Now, step away from yourself & turn around and look at you. What do you see?
Do you see fear? Do you see fearlessness? Which one? Or do you see a balanced combination?
I really worry about negative words. I know that some people who are very very thin see themselves as fat. I know that the mind plays tricks on us. I know that we have a tenancy to zoom in on our own weaknesses and accent them. We need to learn how to zoom in on our strengths and accent them. We need to learn how to find our strengths, name our strengths, love our strengths, exercise our strengths and then depend on our strengths!
Depend on them because they are real. They are there for us when we need them. Our strengths are what carries us through the difficult times. It's the difference between success and failure. I believe that. I know that. I know the difference is within you.
Success or failure does not depend on outside circumstances. It's not whether or not you live with a smoker. It's not whether or not that last straw that broke the camel's back happened that day. It's not whether or not you went to an old familiar place and were with friends who smoke and they offered you one and you took it. It's not any of those things.
It's inside of you. It's how you see yourself. I see myself clearly as a nonsmoker who is 100% aware of the fact that I will smoke a pack a day if I smoke one.
I see myself as recognizing that weakness, knowing it, and knowing what it takes to avoid it. I see myself as wanting this badly enough to last through the uncomfortable minute, the unfamiliar moment, the unsafe circumstance - and then outlast it. I see myself as a warrior, a fighter, a student, a Mother, a wife, a sister, a daughter, a friend. I see myself as beautiful now that I stopped being afraid and took charge of my life.
What do you see? It will make all the difference in the world. Whatever you see is what you will accent. What you see is what you will experience. And what you see can be changed. If you see weakness, but want strength, you can do it.
Accent the Positive and build on it. That is your key to success.
