Posts tagged ‘Work’

Can’t Quit Smoking? Neither Can I

Mark Twain said, “Quitting smoking is easy.  I’ve done it a thousand times.”

He sure had a way of getting to the heart of the matter in a witty way, didn’t he?  What long-term smoker has not stopped smoking multiple times?  It’s easy to quit. Remaining smoke-free is the hard part.

Once I quit for five years.  One moment of weakness, and I was right back in the game, chasing that dragon.  Nicotine is powerful stuff, and once your brain is wired for it, you are toast.  My best advice would be to never start smoking.  You weren’t born addicted to nicotine unless your mother smoked while she was pregnant, as was the case with me.  Don’t do this to yourself.

If you’re already addicted and want to quit, I can tell you about the different methods.  Any method is as good as the next, but the thing to remember is that once you quit, smoking is no longer an option.  It’s just not something you do.  If you do it once, you will be hooked again.  You’re always hooked.  Recovered alcoholics never touch the stuff for that reason.  It is exactly the same with nicotine.  Once it gets its hooks into you, it does not let go.

Of all the ways of quitting smoking, the one that worked best for me was cold turkey.  That was the time I quit for five years.  Those first 3-5 days were pure h-e-double-hockeysticks.  I never wanted to have to go through that again, and I was proud of myself for having done it.  That’s why I stayed off the cigs for so long.

Hypnosis actually works pretty well for me.  It makes it easier to get off the cigarettes, but it wears off.  Usually hypnosis lasts about ten days for me.  I think if you listen to the CDs regularly your results might be better.

Acupuncture does diminish the cravings, but it is very expensive.

Medication works until you go off it.  The downfall here is that the medication re-wires your brain and the next time you try to quit will be harder, should you stumble.

Nicotine replacement is the way to go if you’re a hard-core addict like me.  It at least minimizes the damage though it is not perfectly safe.  Nicotine is a carcinogen.  Anyway, of all the nicotine replacement products, the electronic cigarettes are the best.  You get 99 percent of the pleasure of smoking with these things and none of the 400-degree smoke blasting into your lungs.  They’re also cheaper than the gum, which tastes like doodie anyway.

I hope you enjoy better long-term success at quitting than I have.  If you don’t smoke, I hope you never do.  If you must smoke to feel normal (like me), give electronic cigarettes a try.

By the way, I know a great little spot where you can purchase electronic cigarettes.

You might also be interested in learning more about how I just can’t quit smoking.

Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/quit-smoking-articles/cant-quit-smoking-neither-can-i-1451031.html

Nicodyne herbal stop smoking aid – how Nicodyne helped me break my nicotine addiction for good!

Why I decided to stop smoking

My journey with Nicodyne began after I developed a persistent cough and went to see my doctor for advice. He warned me that smoking would only make the coughing worse, and that I was at risk for developing serious heart and lung problems if my habit continued. In addition to worrying about my health, I also started to realize that smoking made my skin look pale, caused yellow stains to form on my fingers, and made my clothes and car smell awful. My husband and kids had been begging me to quit for a long time, and I had tried on several occasions with no success. I didn’t know how I was going to stop smoking for good.

Natural stop smoking aids

Nicodyne was suggested to me by a work colleague who had recently given up cigarettes himself. He explained that he had tried quitting cold turkey, had chewed nicotine gum, and worn nicotine patches. None of those methods had worked long term, but Nicodyne did. My co-worker explained that Nicodyne is taken in capsule form and is composed of natural ingredients that work by easing nicotine cravings in the brain. He assured me that the product was highly effective in eliminating his cravings to smoke. I was skeptical, but decided to research Nicodyne for myself. I was ready to quit smoking cigarettes and I needed help.

Nicodyne Ingredients

When I started reading about Nicodyne, I was encouraged by the positive testimonials given by other former smokers. The product itself doesn’t contain any nicotine; instead, Nicodyne capsules are formulated with lobelia, a tobacco substitute that safely stifles cigarette cravings. I also liked the fact that Nicodyne contains healing and calming herbs such as elderberry, passionflower, and skullcap. The company website even offers a free trial of Nicodyne! No financial risk was involved, so I ordered a bottle of Nicodyne capsules and hoped for the best.

Stopped smoking with Nicodyne

It’s now been three months since I quit smoking with the help of Nicodyne. I am pleasantly surprised by how well these capsules work! Because my smoking habit was pretty severe, I worried at first that the Nicodyne capsules wouldn’t be able to stop the cravings right away. I’m happy to report that not only did Nicodyne help me give up cigarettes, but the capsules took effect almost instantly. I went from smoking twenty cigarettes a day to being completely tobacco-free, and the process wasn’t difficult at all.

I highly recommend Nicodyne to anyone who wants to stop smoking without the worry of nicotine withdrawal symptoms. My family is so proud and impressed by the improvements I’ve made in my life. I look and feel so much healthier–the smoker’s cough has gone away and my skin is vibrant. I’ll never smoke another cigarette, and it’s all thanks to Nicodyne.

Maybe Nicodyne can help you quit smoking for good too! Right now Nicodyne is offering a risk-free trial – try it free for two weeks.

Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/quit-smoking-articles/nicodyne-herbal-stop-smoking-aid-how-nicodyne-helped-me-break-my-nicotine-addiction-for-good-1452151.html

Stop Smoking Without Going Bonkers

Anyone who has tried to quit smoking knows just how difficult it can be. You already know there are undeniable health benefits to quitting, otherwise you likely would not be reading this, but how to go about it. Unfortunately,there is no completely discomfort-free way. Not only are there the psychological dependencies to break, but also the physical symptoms such as anxiety, restlessness, irritability and desire to eat.  Some people make several attempts to quit, then restart again, however, each attempt they make brings them a little closer to total success. So if you have not been able to completely terminate the habit, don’t despair. You’ve got lots of company and there is help to be had.

The psychological issues can be best dealt with by changing your environment and routines. For example, if you usually go outside for a smoke after meals, change the routine. If you must go outside, take a walk in a totally different area instead. Do not surround yourself with the usual after meal buddies who are smoking if you can’t deal with the temptation. Inform your friends what you are trying to do to gain their support. (If they won’t support you, look for better friends!). At coffee breaks, eat a healthy, low calorie snack instead of having a cigarette with your coffee. Remove the ashtrays from the home and make it a non-smoking area. Change whatever you need to change in your surroundings to decrease the urge to smoke. If you are concerned about gaining weight, monitor your weight, and adjust your caloric intake and exercise levels accordingly. Weight gain is common due to the removal of the nicotine. But if you are forced to eat healthier and get a bit more exercise, oh well, that’s life.

Physical symptoms are very real as you have stopped adding a very powerful stimulant to your body. The anxiety, restlessness, etc. that is felt is withdrawal from nicotine. There are varying methods of treating this, ranging from nicotine patches to prescription medications to herbal remedies. The route you choose is totally personal preference as to what you feel will work best for you.

Nicotine patches work by replacing the nicotine your body would have received from smoking, and gradually decreasing that amount in increments to avoid the withdrawal symptoms. This takes place over several weeks and works well, providing you are not quitting due to an immediate need to stop the effects of nicotine, such as extremely high blood pressure. Then the patches are not for you. It is also imperative that you do not smoke while wearing the patch since an overload of nicotine can cause serious heart arrhythmias or worse. Nicotine gum may be an option if you prefer just to chew it when cravings hit.

Wellbutrin,aka Zyban, an antidepressant medication, is commonly used to help smokers quit. It helps to decrease the symptoms of nicotine withdrawal, plus for some reason causes a decreased interest in smoking. It does require a physician’s prescription. Headaches, insomnia, dry mouth, and increased appetite are fairly common side effects of this drug, so something to watch for.

Natural herbs can also be used to ease the transition to being a non-smoker. Smoke Deter is one such natural product. It consists of a blend of several homeopathic ingredients formulated to deal with all the common symptoms of nicotine withdrawal and there are no known drug reactions.  The advantages with natural products is that you don’t need a doctor’s prescription to try it, the cost is reasonable, and there are fewer concerns about side effects.

With all that said, the thing to do is get started on your quit smoking program. Don’t procrastinate any longer. I have heard too many former smokers say that they didn’t think they could do it, but they did, and now feel so much healthier and energetic for it. For more information on natural health products, including Smoke Deter, visit our website at Mountainviewhealth.ca

At Mountainviewhealth you will be able to find the products you need to reach your health and fitness goals, plus there are health and fitness tips, videos and articles for you to view. The author has worked in health care for the past 20 years, is certified in gerontic nursing, sports & fitness nutrition & in level 1 weightlifting, plus pursues several outdoor adventure sports. Mountainviewhealth.ca has been developed as a way to help others find preferred, naturally based health products.

Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/quit-smoking-articles/stop-smoking-without-going-bonkers-1452579.html

Get Quit Smoking and Buy E-Cigarette

To many who have spent much of their lives battling one of our most dangerous and addictive drugs, a solution has arrived that has many singing its praises. With smoking-related deaths topping 400,000 each year in the United States, tobacco is undoubtedly among the most dangerous and addictive drugs today. No testing has been done regarding the smoking cessation value of this new device, but its potential impact is unquestionable. And it is certainly unique. If you see someone smoking one of these products, there is no doubt you will remember it. This new product is called an quit smoking and it is a relatively new industry that has really begun to take off in the past couple of years.

Electronic cigarettes look like the real thing, they give the smoker the psychological impact of the real thing, but they do not contain tobacco. These devices have cartridges that contain the addictive nicotine, while leaving out the carcinogen-laden tobacco. Although nicotine is certainly a dangerous drug, in relative terms to tobacco, it isn’t even a competition. The electronic cig is something which many smokers around the world have tried to use to kick their addiction to traditional cigarettes, and the results thus far have been seemingly impressive.

Despite no studies being done to prove its efficacy, many current smokers have actually purchased e-cigs with the hope that it would help them quit cigarette smoking. Initial data is fuzzy on this, but there is evidence throughout the internet that this new product has actually allowed many people to either quit smoking or at least dramatically cut back on the amount of traditional cigarettes they are smoking. Many people have made the switch over to the electronic cig, and the next step would be to see how many of these people are fully able to wean themselves off the nicotine (if that is their goal). And as further studies are done on e-cigs, they might be found to have no real negative health impacts other than the nicotine. And in reality, little is known as to just how dangerous nicotine truly is when separated out from tobacco. But it is known that nicotine is most certainly magnitudes safer than tobacco.

People looking to buy e-cigarettes can either look to the internet, a local tobacco shop, or some shopping malls. An individual looking to buy electronic cigarettes will likely spend somewhere between $75 and $150 to get started. As the industry grows and the product becomes more mainstreamed, it is likely that one will be able to find this product a lot more readily. The only thing that could sideline this product would be the FDA. Currently the FDA is taking the position that e cigarettes are new drugs and is actually seizing many shipments that come into the country. It remains to be seen if the FDA is within its rights to seize these shipments, and if the electronic cigarettes should actually be subject to clinical trials. Given that all products in an electronic cigarette are already accepted for human consumption by the FDA, the industry believes that additional testing is definitely excessive.

Another concern would be that many people already use the device and taking it away could be problematic. Given that this is a potentially live saving device, it would seem somewhat negligent to take this product away from people currently happy with its impact on their lives.

As this issue works its way through both Federal and state courtrooms and numerous legislative bodies, hopefully the result will be the freedom of choice for people actually trying to take a step in the right direction.

For some people, this truly has helped them quit smoking normal smoke free cigarettes. While potential issues might arise regarding this product, this is also the case for many “nutritional supplements,” an industry that the FDA has essentially left alone. For the FDA to go after consumers trying to quit one of the most addictive drugs that exists, seems somewhat counter intuitive to what their mission statement is, or maybe what it should be.

Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/quit-smoking-articles/get-quit-smoking-and-buy-ecigarette-1450064.html

Smoke Assist Review – Quit Smoking Fast

Are you one of those people who find it so difficult and so challenging to quit smoking? I understand you because most smokers find it really hard to quitting smoking. It’s because you’ve been already hooked on it for several years and you find to so hard to stop. Are you now wondering where to start and how to do it? Some of them have tried every option like the water therapy, the nicotine chewing gum and many others. But don’t ever lose your hope because an amazing product like the Smoke Assist is here to help you ease you cravings.

Click Here For Smoke Assist Limited Free Trial!

Smoking is very harmful and dangerous to your health so you need to do something about it before it too late. This bad habit of smoking could only give us deadly diseases such as lung cancer, strokes and cardiac arrest. You must be aware that people around you are also susceptible to the cancer cells.

One of the best options in cigarette smoking is the Smoke Assist e-cigarette. An amazing product like the Smoke Assist has the micro chip and works on the technology of the micro sensation. It will give you the same sensation as the real cigarette. So even though it’s not real, you can still enjoy it without the risks of smoking cigarettes that can give you.

The Smoke Assist e cigarette has cartridges with an amazing nicotine sensation. This helpful product will substitute as a cigarette but also assures you of the best anti nicotine regime without any nicotine in the sensor chip.

Now you don’t need to worry of smoking anywhere you want because Smoke Assist is here to help you. It has a USB chargeable Li-battery and has four cigarette filters. Every filter is equal to twenty cigarettes and has its own tobacco sensation. With the help of this interesting product you will now live a happier, longer and healthier life. Good luck!

Click Here For Smoke Assist Limited Free Trial!

This author writes about Quit Smoking 7 Days and How To Help Quit Smoking.

Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/quit-smoking-articles/smoke-assist-review-quit-smoking-fast-1434593.html

Stop Smoking Hypnosis MP3 Can Be Helpful

Hypnotize yourself, to cure habit of smoking. This remedy is being followed in today’s world. Most of the people have a desire to heal the habit of smoking, but are not able to know remedy to heal it.

Mp3 for hypnosis is available in the market. This product helps in healing smoking habit by hypnotism.

It allows you to change the state of mind, change how things are seen and makes you a new human being free from smoking.

MP3 Hypnosis has an ability to free any person from stress which he is going to face. Stress can be of various types, it can be work load given by the boss. Or dropping children at their school and going to the office.

These hypnosis movements give some kind of cool habit to a mind, this helps in reducing strain on the brain. It helps a person to slide away from worldly matters and move to heaven.

When a person makes a decision to quit smoking, he is not able to stand on his decision.

Though he is following many good remedies for healing the habit of smoking they are becoming waste. He is able to make his mind quit smoking only for short duration.

One reason behind this temporary quit of smoking is am imbalanced mind, and lack of self confidence. Mp3 hypnosis mechanism is designed keeping human minds weak abilities.

Some of the people lack confidence while expressing their needs and necessities. This program consists of some hypnosis tracks which allow people to program their sub conscious minds.

They almost change the mind to be a powerful tool, and make it stand on one particular decision.

How great is this Mp3 hypnosis ? surveys reveal this tool as the most powerful ever made. proper utilization of this tool and management of necessary tracks, can make a man quit smoking permanently.

When these hypnosis tracks are used, they make body totally active. They make brain active in terms of senses.

Most of the people have an habit of eating more, though they feel its enough. After listening to hypnosis audio, they come to know what to eat and when to eat.

Finally I would like to conclude this as a powerful tool for making a person mentally active.

Though he cures the habit of smoking physically, mentally he won’t be able to stand by it. Hypnosis stands as best giving smoking a permanent cure.

If you want to quit smoking using hypnosis, i highly recommend the FreshStart Method which uses hypnotherapy to help you stop smoking. Check out my site for more stop smoking reviews.

Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/quit-smoking-articles/stop-smoking-hypnosis-mp3-can-be-helpful-1437712.html

Easy Stop Smoking Aids

We are all very well informed of the dangers that smoking can cause…heart disease, cancer, the list goes on. So, why…with the abundance of warnings is it still so damn hard to give this habit up? If you think you may need too seek some help or would like to educate yourself about natural products that can rid the cravings…click easy stop smoking aids

Most people know that it is the addictive nature of nicotine…which, by the way equals in the same ranks as crack cocaine, that makes it so hard to quit. Kicking this addiction is most certainly a difficult task, but once you begin looking at the pros to the cons it’s almost an open and shut decision. You might want to think of reasons like improved health, longer life expectancy, and higher quality of living as some of the pros that will help kick your will power into overdrive. Below are a couple suggestions that might help you conquer this addiction for good.

If Your Wanting to Stop Smoking-Consider The Reasons for Doing So

There are always good reasons to toss that pack of cancer sticks in the garbage, you just have to realize the benefits of them all. The most common reason would obviously be improved health, but there are so many other benefits that can easily neighbor that. I’m sure the financial properties can take the second position. Think about all your hard earned cash that is just tossed away on a weekly basis on a product that is banashing you to an early grave. Think about how much time you’ve wasted at home or work simply because you were outdoors honing the addiction? I’m sure you could easily think of ways to better use that time. Also, if you have kids it’s not just your health that your jeopardizing. Second hand smoke can be absolutely damaging to a child’s health. Grab a pencil and paper and jot these reasons down. Place them in an area where they will be presented as a daily reminder of why you are making this smart decision. If you want to learn more on some breathrough aids to help you click stop smoking help

Del Kelly enjoys researching natural health products that keep people happy and healthy. If you would like to learn more on a product that will help you quit smoking by relieving the cravings first visit: Stop Smoking Aids

Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/quit-smoking-articles/easy-stop-smoking-aids-1435088.html

How to quit smoking cigarettes – tips on how to quit smoking cigarettes

How to quit smoking cigarettes – tips on how to quit smoking cigarettes

 

Do you really want to quit cigarettes? But, don’t know how to quit smoking. All tobacco products including cigarettes are often difficult to quit, once the addiction is established. There are many social, financial, reasons behind your smoking habit. So, it is recommended you to quit your smoking habit as soon as possible for your good. It’s possible to quit successfully, here are some tips on how to quit smoking cigarettes:

 Try to make a perfect plan for quitting smoking cigarettes and choose a quitting date. Do consult to your doctor before making one such plan, most doctors recommend you to take an antidepressants medicine for two weeks before quitting.

Share your plan to every one you know and try to tell them that you are going to quit and on what day. This action will make your will power stronger and also encourage you to keep your word. Therefore, it is recommended that, try to gather as much support as you can. Try to convince your spouse or partner or a friend to quit with you, by joining a support group online or find someone in your area.

 Want to quit smoking cigarettes?

QUITTING Smoking MADE easy – Quit smoking and restore your lungs to their healthy state again, it is necessary for every smoker should do in order to Clean His Lungs And That Will Also Help Him Quit Smoking – Immediately And Permanently. SAVE YOUR LUNGS SAVE YOUR LIFE with World’s most fastest lungs detox at WORLD’S fastest lungs DETOX HERE

 Make some changes before or on your quit day by removing all smoking paraphernalia, throwing away any leftover cigarettes, ashtrays and lighters, cigars and all smoking related stuff.

 Do not sit at the same place, go for varieties means try to keep yourself busy by going for a walk, restaurants where smoking is not allowed, play a sport, work on hobbies.

           Give yourself a reward at every milestone you complete by using the same money you would have otherwise spent on cigarettes.

 

 

 

           

QUITTING Smoking MADE easy – Quit smoking and restore your lungs to their healthy state again, it is necessary for every smoker should do in order to Clean His Lungs And That Will Also Help Him Quit Smoking – Immediately And Permanently. SAVE YOUR LUNGS SAVE YOUR LIFE with World’s most fastest lungs detox at WORLD’S fastest Lungs DETOX HERE
Lungs detox that really works http://cure-me-now.info

Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/quit-smoking-articles/how-to-quit-smoking-cigarettes-tips-on-how-to-quit-smoking-cigarettes-1435929.html

A1 Method to Quit Smoking and Ease Withdrawal Symptoms

Are you desperately searching for a method to quit smoking and ease withdrawal symptoms? Are you a smoker who is on the verge of quitting but fear the withdrawal symptoms might prove to be too much for you? As an ex smoker myself, I know exactly what you are going through but I overcame my nicotine addiction and you can too! Let me show you how a nicotine replacement aid can help. 

Today’s market is just oozing with proven, effective nicotine replacement aids that work to get you over the major withdrawal hurdles. The aids can tame the uncomfortable symptoms of withdrawal and almost double your chances of being successful in quitting. 

As you know, nicotine is the addictive agent in tobacco products. Your body and your brain get so used to having it that they begin to believe nicotine in your system is normal. When you quit, your body and brain no longer get their fix of nicotine and withdrawal symptoms begin. 

Both your body and your brain will tell you to light up. Just have one more. Your craving to smoke will become overwhelming. You start to become cranky and irritable. This is where the aids come in. They will supply your body with nicotine but without the toxic gases and carcinogens in cigarette smoke. Remember, withdrawal symptoms actually only last a short time and the aids will lessen your symptoms enough to get you through this short phase. 

Have your nicotine replacement aid ready to use as soon as you quit. Finding the one that fits your lifestyle is the key. They come in the form of gums, lozenges, patches, inhalers, prescription drugs and sprays. The spray worked best for me but again it is an individual choice. Research and find the aid that is right for you. An exciting new one on the market is Miracet! You might want to check it out! 

Fighting the battle to stop smoking is tough challenge but with the right help you can be victorious! When you break the chains of nicotine addiction, you will find a freedom you forgot you once had. Use this method to quit smoking and rediscover that freedom!

 

Learn more about the Method to Quit Smoking! Take advantage of this exciting free trial offer for a stop smoking aid that will help ease your withdrawal symptoms Miracet!

Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/quit-smoking-articles/a1-method-to-quit-smoking-and-ease-withdrawal-symptoms-1435136.html

Reasons To Stop Smoking … Paul Knew Them All

By Dave Tishendorf

Paul was aware of all the conventional reasons to stop smoking.

I mean, how could you not be, even in the late 1970s, when he and I first met in a midsized city in southern Oregon. By that time, science had already established the dangers of smoking, and information on how to quit cigarettes was everywhere.

I was a working journalist back then, and Paul (not his real name) drove cab. We quickly became good friends. Over the years, Paul and his partner, Sarah, and my then-partner, now-wife, Mary, and I spent a lot of good times together.

The explanation for this writer/cabbie pairing can be found in the folds of community theater. If you have ever been a member of an amateur theater group in a small town, you know what I mean. Cultural lines are blurred there, if not eliminated altogether. Lifelong friendships are formed.

And sometimes love affairs bloom while the seeds of divorce are sown, and marriages are made or broken.

Paul, in fact, had been married and divorced four times when I met him. In a way that I can’t fully explain, it was part of his charm. He would joke in his low-key way about each of his three grown daughters, and in time we in the group came to use the nicknames he had for each of them, names that had a certain fondness attached to them, even though they can’t be repeated here (they had to do with how the girls were conceived).

It’s not that Paul kept the names a secret from his daughters – that would have required a duplicity he was not capable of. The daughters knew full well what those nicknames were, and they were able to laugh with him. How could you ever become angry with Paul? It was almost impossible.

But if Paul was a loser in the game of love, he was brilliant onstage. This son of a Protestant minister had a lean figure, a deep voice, an aquiline nose and a profile to die for. He could not be called handsome in the Hollywood sense, but when he walked onstage, the effect was striking.

Onstage he was able to draw on the power of whatever demons and angels were residing in his soul. He acted from the inside out.

Paul and I were in several shows together. He was always the star, whether he had a leading role (Henry Drummond in “Inherit the Wind”) or a minor one (Leo Herman, aka Chuckles the Chipmunk, in “A Thousand Clowns”).

Had circumstances been different, had not one of his devils controlled and ultimately destroyed him, he might have been a professional.

As it was, he simply succeeded in being the most gentle person I have ever known.

I think, if Paul had stated his philosophy of life, it would have gone something like this:

“I will judge no one or no one thing. I will accept the flow of life as it comes and not try to change any of it. I will let it take me where it will, neither accepting nor rejecting it. Nothing is good or bad, it simply is. I am merely a passenger, and I will enjoy the ride.”

Cigarettes entered Paul’s life because he allowed them in, probably with no questions asked. How many decades did he end his day with a cigarette, inhaling deeply and exhaling slowly? How many times did he light up first thing in the morning almost before his feet touched the floor? I don’t know.

Yes, he knew all the reasons to stop smoking. He knew all about the information on how to quit cigarettes. He had seen the statistics; he had known people who died of lung cancer, or emphysema. He had seen the x-rays of blackened, rotting lungs oozing slime.

He had even tried a time or two to quit. He tried will power, he tried the gum, he tried the patch, but nothing ever came of any of it.

In the final analysis, he embraced this particular devil. The fact was, he enjoyed smoking, he loved to smoke. Cigarettes took him to a place he could not get to any other way. A place where he felt safe, free from all the gathered turmoil of the world. It was a place he could not, and would not, trade for anything, even for his life.

Paul’s unspoken message to his friends, his family, to the world, and to himself was, “This is where life has taken me. I accept it. One way or another I am going to die. We all are. So, given the choice, why shouldn’t I die on my terms? No reason. So that is what I’m going to do.”

And that is what he did.

Not long before Paul died, when everyone in the theatre group, including Paul, knew his days were numbered, we staged a roast in his honor.

When Paul, emaciated and stooped, walked into the theatre the evening of the roast wearing a bright blue cowboy outfit, the house came down. It was one of his grandest entrances, and it was a perfect Act 1, Scene 1, for what was to follow. Despite the sobering subtext, it was an evening of rollicking good humor.

But at the very end of the evening, I, as emcee, injected the only serious note:

“Ladies and gentlemen, I have known Paul for 20 years, and in that time he has become my brother. He is family.

“And in all that time I have never known him to be anything other than who he is.

“There is a beauty in that. There is an innocence in that. But most of all, there is a purity in that.

“And so I’m glad that you’re all here tonight. Because it gives me the chance to say publicly what I’ve always said in my heart:

“Paul, I love you madly.”

A few months later we scattered Paul’s ashes on a nearby mountaintop.

That was almost 20 years ago. Now, from the vantage point afforded by time, I look back and I think I can understand why Paul thought the way he did about the reasons to stop smoking. And despite everything, I can even admire it somehow, however grudgingly. I mean, he had the courage to live the way he wanted to. How many of us can say the same?

At the same time, I am filled with anger.

I said earlier that it was almost impossible to become angry with Paul. But I am angry with him now, and I have been angry for 20 years.

I am angry at his outrageous selfishness. I am angry because he felt that his personal pleasure was more important than anything else. I am angry that he left us because he thought his obligation to a weed was greater than his obligation to the people who loved him.

What kind of person would do that?

If Paul could send a message today, I hope he would have the wisdom say to all the smokers of the world:

“Here is one of the main reasons to stop smoking; here is how to quit cigarettes:

“Remember that you are not in this alone. This is not just about you. Nothing you do is just about you. This is also about the people who count on you, who need you for a million reasons that neither you nor they may even understand. This is about the people who love you.

“If for no other reason, do it for them.”

I’m still angry with Paul.

And I miss him. Every day.

Dave Tishendorf is an ex-smoker. He invites you to find out more about how to quit cigarettes by clicking Here.

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