kidandkid

I smoked cigarettes from the age of 13 until I was 22. I was not a casual smoker, but a real addict.

Defeat comes, not when giving in to the temptation, but when becoming the Hare and relinquishing the race. The wisdom of the Tortoise is to “endure to the end.”

The techniques I used to quit smoking the final time, could be used to break any habit or sin.

1. I set aside some time where my only goal was quitting smoking.

2. I had a partner. My future husband quit smoking with me also.

3. I minimized the temptation. I spent 2 solid weeks backpacking only coming out of the mountains to replenish food supplies.

4. When I felt like smoking a cigarette I exercised.

5. I embraced the benefits. One of those was exercising. It’s so much nicer to exercise smoke free.

In the summertime I try to keep the wisdom of the tortoise and the hare at forefront of my mind. Usually that means I remind myself that slow and steady wins the race.

I just have to keep going, no matter how slow, and great things will be accomplished. “He is like a tree planted by streams of water…whatever he does shall prosper.”