Remembering Why...222 days off Chantix...211 days off cigarettes

Today, I got an out of the blue message from the "GetQuit" Chantix support group. I have never discussed this while blogging but most things in my life that are significant have the number 11 attached to it in some form. I know, if that is the case, why should this journey be any different? For those who believe in numerology, number 11 is quite the power number. According to one source "11 is a Master Number, as are all double digit numbers, such as 22, 33, 44, 55, 66, 77, 88, and 99. “Master Number” is an appropriate term because the high side of each Master Number represents rare and exceptional energy originating from outside mundane reality." Feel free to check out the link: http://ezinearticles.com/?Numerology-and-The-Number-11---What-it-Means-and-Why-its-so-Challenging&id=757527

For those of you who probably think I am being overly perceptive about numbers, I used to think that numerology and astrology were complete and total nonsense!! I still do not believe in astrology but the way number 11 kept popping up in my life I had no choice but to look into it. For many years, the symbol was downright creepy. I finally had to take a look at and realize it was something to not be ignored. My life was saved a couple on a couple different occasions and now I just accept it for what it is....a message that needs to be read or examined when it shows up. The number still pops up randomly more often than not! My quit date which was not planned ended up being 11/11/2008! Does anyone else had numbers or any other symbol that seems to follow you through life? For me the number 11 can be a good or bad thing ....when I see the number pop up, I usually do a double take of whatever the situation is. I could go on with "number 11 stories" for days but I've come to accept it as a symbol of something I need to look at a bit deeper when going through life. Its amazing how understanding a number and being perceptive to the situation or how it arises has saved my life in more ways than one. I am tired so I will save some Number 11 stories for another day. Most people think the whole thing sounds crazy so I understand that most people think its kind of crazy.

When I logged onto the site, I got my day count and took a look at my original inspiration to quit. On "GetQuit" I posted that I wanted to quit smoking to "Save Money and Improve My Health." I hope after being off cigarettes for 211 days my health is improving! I know that I have saved at least a thousand dollars because smoking cigarettes is expensive and that money really does add up. Anyway, the best thing I can say is I am not a slave to nicotine anymore and do not need to sneak off in the extreme heat, cold or rain to sneak a smoke....today it was like 104 degrees outside!! How much fun would it have for me been standing outside inhaling poison in the extreme heat? I am so glad I am done with that...at least for today anyway. I am so glad that when I travel I do not have to stock up on Nicorette gum or patches or worse yet, book layovers so I could get off the plane, go outside to suck in poison and try to get through security in time to not miss my next flight. I was known for this type of insane behavior for a lot of years! I am so glad I was able to book direct flights with a certain level of freedom. I am glad I am not smoking today.

I wanted to send a big Happy Birthday Holla out to my support girl Maggie from the blog Maggie's Mind. If you are thinking about quitting or just looking for an interesting blog, it is at: http://maggiesmind.blogspot.com/ Maggie's Mind was the first Chantix blog that I started reading and it was from there that I got the idea to start my own "quitting blog". I still take a look at this post of her's when I start feeling the urge: http://maggiesmind.blogspot.com/2007/06/yummy-cadmium.html Blogging instead of smoking really helped and still helps with the "What should I do with my hands thing." Also, knowing that there is support from others out there is really helpful. Maggie, you are the greatest and happy birthday! I can't wait to say I made it a year off cigarettes only because it still seems so impossible! Hell, 211 days still sounds like a long time because for me, it is a long time! But then again, smoking for 30 years was a long time too! I never thought I would still be blogging about this subject but hey, if it works, don't fix it! I have decided that I kind of like blogging and looking back to see where I have been and where I am going. I must be somewhat committed as I am thinking about redoing my blog because the formatting went wacky. The way I see it, the formatting going crazy is probably a sign that it is time to change kind of like seeing the symbol of the number 11 when I am supposed to notice something. Anyway, this is my first time using links so lets see if they show up in the post!

Peace,

Diva