Folks in the US celebrate the 4th of July as Independence Day, the day that marks the independence of the colonies from England. But many people celebrate very different independence days, such as the anniversary of their independence from alcohol or drugs.
What do you celebrate your independence from?
Along with many others. smoking “cigs”. I started smoking when I was 16 and away to college, telling my parents I was going to. During the next 20 years I smoked, finally up to two packs a day. I stopped because I was “bumming” cigs from Cathy and I realized that she was fed up and that I would lose her as a friend. I also realized a bit later that the reasons for starting and stopping were the same. First, I wanted my image as a young collegian to be in style; at the end I wanted my appearance as a healthy smart North American in Peru to be correct, so to speak. Both were images I wanted to portray at the time; now I have no regrets in realizing my stupidity. Off of cigs for good since 1964. It can be done!
I celebrate my commitment to life and health, which includes abstaining from suicide and cutting. However, this abstinence wasn’t enough to give independence from them. For many years, the thoughts and urges remained. In the last two years, I’ve finally had breaks from them. These thoughts and urges still come back from time to time, but they are no longer the norm. When I think about it, I am very grateful for this independence. However, I, per definition, usually don’t think about not having thoughts.
Martin, if you have refrained for a while, I believe that you can keep up refraining until it may not be a desire some day.