GUS (Gave Up Smoking) is a community support diary for Kossacks in the midst of quitting smoking. Any supportive comments, suggestions or positive distractions are appreciated. If you are quitting or even thinking of quitting, please -- join us!
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Today is the day we celebrate the signing of the US Declaration of Independence. It's also a good day to declare independence from smoking!
For those interested in history, the US Declaration of Independence was not the first one, although it certainly had influence on Declarations that came after. For a list of some other Declarations you can take a look at Wikipedia. For some real historical fun, compare the original Declaration of Independence to the South Carolina secession.
I'm a huge fan of the US Declaration of Independence, and the beauty of Jefferson's writing. Every year at this time I make a point of re-reading it to remember the reasons this great country came to be, and remind myself that as hard as things might seem today there was a time when the question of the very existence of this nation was answered only because a few people were willing to pledge their lives, their fortunes, and their sacred honor to the cause of liberty.
On this 233rd anniversary of the signing of that great document those on the GUS list are fighting for a personal liberty, to be free from smoking. Some GUSacks have already stopped smoking, others are getting ready to stop, and in that spirit here is a Non-Smoker's Declaration of Independence. Well, part of one anyway. Enjoy in good humor and good health. And just as the Continental Congress declared the causes of US independence, let's hear your reasons to Give Up Smoking in the comments below!
When in the Course of human events, it becomes necessary for one person to dissolve the bands of addiction which have connected them with tobacco, and to assume among the powers of the earth, the free and easy breath to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature's God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to kick the filthy habit.
We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all are connected equal, that they are endowed by Kos with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Blogging, Snarkery and the ability to Breathe without Coughing. That to secure these rights, GUS diaries are instituted among Kossacks, deriving their just powers from the consent of Meteor Blades, That whenever any Cigarette becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to abandon it, and to institute new habits, laying their foundation on such principles and organizing their powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness. Prudence, indeed, will dictate that Addictions long established are really, really, really hard to quit; and accordingly all experience hath shewn, that mankind are oft disposed to smoke, while the evils are sufferable, rather than to right themselves by abolishing the forms of nicotine to which they are accustomed. But when a long train of tobacco company manipulations, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Addiction, and to provide new habits for their future security.
OK, folks, time to Declare your Causes for throwing off Despotism, and break the Tyranny that is smoking!
Bold words, but Giving Up Smoking is a bold deed. As some of you know it has been about 18 years since I Gave Up Smoking, and it is still one of the best things I've ever done. If you are getting ready to quit, today is a great day to declare Independence from smoking.
Congratulations to all of those who are on their second day of freedom, or their third, or fourth, or hundredth. This is a real way to improve your life and from personal experiece it gets easier as you go. Recently I had to review for an important professional examination, and as stressful as it was to cram for the test, the craving never came back. If it seems tough, keep going. You will be glad you did.
And if you slip, just pick yourself up and start again. It's OK if you slip. The habit is tough to break, so find ways to change the routine around the habit, ways to be a non-smoker if even for a short while.
Think of yourself as a non-smoker. You will be surprised at how well this can work. Changing the way you think about yourself can change the habit, even with the nicotine. At some point you find that the chemical addiction just is not as strong as you thought it was, and that the habits, the routine were a big part of it. Changing that routine and thinking of yourself as smoke free can really help you Give Up Smoking.
You can do it! Keep going!
Enjoy a safe, happy, and smoke-free Independence Day, everybody.
Current members of the GUS team! Please post a comment if you would like to join, or if your name is here in error:
1BQ
3rdGenFeminist
Abra Crabcakeya
amk for obama
Anne933
ArthurWolf
bgblcklab1
BirderWitch
blue husky
Blue Intrigue
bluestatedem84
breedlovinit
bsmechanic
Chocolate Chris
coppercelt
dangoch
Fineena
flumptytail
FrugalGranny
gchaucer2
Im a frayed knot
Indexer
interceptor7
jvolvo's Mom
khloemi
langerdang
LarsThorwald
lmdonovan
luvsathoroughbred
maggiemay
magicsister
Mikeguyver
MinervainNH
nannyboz
ncsuLAN
Nick Zouroudis
Pennsylvanian
SallyCat
seenaymah
smartcookienyc
spmozart
Turn VABlue
uc booker
Vacationland
Wood Dragon
Anyone (on or off the buddy list) is welcome to write a diary for GUS. If you are interested, please leave a comment in the Butt Can (tip jar).
Sat AM: ForFreedom
Sat PM: SallyCat (4th of July special)
Sun AM:
Sun PM: breedlovinit
Mon AM:
Mon PM:
Tue AM:
Tue PM:
Wed AM:
WED PM: