Quit smoking

» Hidden meanings behind "Why smoke?" and "Why quit?"
High school and college literature classes are preoccupied with the hidden meaning behind the words on the page. Much of the students' time is spent examining what meaning the author was really intending to convey with the story. In fiction, the story is never what it seems.

» 11 ways to keep your New Year's resolution to quit smoking
Every year about this time, people begin thinking about the new year and the changes it will bring. Some people make New Year’s resolutions to lose weight, get a better job, get married, or simply to get a life. Millions of Americans will also make the resolution to quit smoking.

» 20 quick tips to help quit smoking
Believe in yourself. Believe that you can quit. Think about some of the most difficult things you have done in your life and realize that you have the guts and determination to quit smoking. It's up to you.

» An honest look at how smoking affects everyone around you
Last week I was driving to the post office to ship some customer orders. I noticed a foul odor blowing out of my car's air vents and I looked up at the car 5 car-lengths in front of me. Sure enough, I saw a hand reaching out through the driver's window flicking the ashes from a cigarette.

» The children are our smoke-free future
As school gets back in full swing here in the U.S., it's time to focus on kids and their use of tobacco. While *you* may already be a smoker, there's plenty you can do to help keep your kids from trying cigarettes. Most smokers start in their teenage years, so early prevention is the key to giving children a smoke-free life.

» Five ways to guarantee that you'll NEVER quit smoking
Brought to you by the Good-For-You-And-Your-Children Tobacco Company.

» Forgive yourself for smoking
"We cling to our bad feelings and beat ourselves with the past when what we should do is let go of it, like Peter did. Once your let go of guilt, then you go out and change the world."
-- James Carroll

» Get your fair share (of cigarettes)
What drives the feeding frenzy each Christmas season? What makes one or two toys the must-have, hot item, like this year's Furby? Of course most hot products have some innate value, creating initial demand. But what drives people to pay hundreds of dollars for a furry toy, or a child's doll? Often the cause is limited supply.

» Here comes the great american smokeout!
Are you ready for 24 hours without cigarettes? That's what the Great American Smokeout is all about. Each year on the third Thursday of November, The American Cancer Society (ACS) organizes the Smokeout. According to ACS, more Americans try to quit smoking on this day than any other day of the year, including New Year's Day.

» How to quit smoking even if you love to smoke
Let's face it, you probably enjoy some aspects of smoking. Some people truly love to smoke. There's no denying that smoking provides real benefits such as relaxation or feelings of security.

» How to quit smoking when everyone around you still smokes
It's a common problem: You are trying your best to quit smoking but everyone around you still smokes. If you have a spouse or other family member who smokes, you are exposed to smoking every day. If your co-workers smoke, you probably have smokers around you at least five days per week. If your friends smoke, you'll be exposed to smoking whenever you get together to have some fun.

» "If I quit, I'll die!"
This issue I give another lesson in "tough love." You know this stuff somewhere in the back of your mind, but you probably don't think about it very much. I want to get you thinking about this and help shape the WAY you think about this. It just might help you quit.

» "I'm not ready to quit!" - What are you waiting for?
Procrastination. I know it well. From taxes to yard work to filing papers--you name it, I'm the expert procrastinator. I can put off doing anything, with style and ease. I file tax return extensions at 11:59 PM on April 15 without breaking a sweat.

» Put the crown on YOUR head
We all do things because someone else made us do them. When you're a young child and your parents tell you to go to bed, you'd better go to bed. At an early age we learn to respect our parents, respect authority, "do what you're told", follow directions, etc.

» Quit smoking by helping others
"Do as I say, not as I do." How many times have you heard that? How many times have you said that?

» Smoking is a choise
This issue I give another lesson in "tough love." You know this stuff somewhere in the back of your mind, but you probably don't think about it very much. I want to get you thinking about this and help shape the WAY you think about this. It just might help you quit.

» Start a quit smoking diary at QuitSmokingDiaries.com
Some people might say diaries are for "wimps" or for teenage girls. But many famous and influential leaders, male and female alike, kept diaries throughout their lives. If you don't like the word "diary" then call it a "journal" or a "record."

» The one thing absolutely guaranteed to help you quit smoking
With a title like the one above you're probably skeptical. Who wouldn't be? It's so difficult to quit smoking, there can't possible be a foolproof way to quit. Besides, if someone invented a guaranteed way to quit the tobacco companies would probably "buy them out."

» Use "The Force" to quit smoking
If you aren't familiar with the Star Wars movie series (http://www.starwars.com) you probably live on another planet. I've been a Star Wars nut ever since I saw the first movie in 1977 at the age of 9. I was blown away by the incredible special effects and story. The mythical story paints a clear picture of the battle of good versus evil, and touches people on many levels. Perhaps that explains at least part of the movie's popularity: Star Wars reflects the emotion and the fear and the excitement and the good and the evil inside each of us.

» What are you afraid of?
Fear is a part of everyone's life. Fear is both good and bad depending on the situation. Fear can help keep you alive if you must flee from a dangerous situation. Fear can keep you from doing things that would endanger your safety or wellbeing, such as driving too fast or robbing a bank.

» What are you quitting for?
Have you ever asked yourself what you are quitting for? Why is it that you are quitting smoking?

» What it means to be an ex-smoker
Are you powerful enough to quit smoking? Yes, of course you are! But unless you believe you have that power, you may find yourself trying and failing to quit over and over again.

» What's your addiction?
Last issue, I discussed the importance of knowing what you are quitting for and keeping the "prize" of quitting foremost in your thoughts.

» Words of wisdom to help you quit smoking, part 1
I've always believed that wisdom was one of the greatest attributes anyone could possess. Where does wisdom come from and how do you get it? Well, I think some people are born with it, but for the rest of us, we become wise with experience. Often the experience may be painful or harmful, but if you take away some wisdom from each of your experiences, soon you'll make decisions and take action based on Solomon-like wisdom.