100 Days of Writing – Day Eighty

The Lenten sabbatical from social media is a little over an hour away. It comes at what I would call an opportune moment, a time where I need to examine my life and develop a plan for moving forward. I’ve decided to take the Lenten season as a time to stay off of social mediaContinue reading “100 Days of Writing – Day Eighty”

100 Days of Writing – Day Seventy-Two

In July of this past year, I was able to accomplish a major feat – I quit smoking. It was one of the most difficult things I’ve ever done. In the third week of December, I found myself in a difficult emotional situation and fell off the wagon and have had to start over allContinue reading “100 Days of Writing – Day Seventy-Two”

100 Days of Writing – Day Sixty-Five

My simplistic take on addictive behaviors… There are those times in my life when addictions of one sort or another have found their way into my life. Upon examining my behaviors in hindsight, I can see where many of those habits came from. I think we all want ways to feel better,,, to cope withContinue reading “100 Days of Writing – Day Sixty-Five”

100 Days of Writing – Day Fifty

Forty-eight days in and can still have that urge…. It’s been forty-eight days since I decided that I was going to quit smoking. It’s actually longer for that intention, but actually not smoking has been nearly seven weeks. And even now, after not having smoked 965 cigarettes, I can still get that urge. Twice I’veContinue reading “100 Days of Writing – Day Fifty”

100 Days of Writing – Day Forty-Five

Smoking cessation – Day 36 I’m continuing on my quest to be a long-term nonsmoker. Today is day number thirty-six and although I’m still using nicotine lozenges, I haven’t found it necessary to light up a cigarette in five weeks. I’m realizing there were distinct reasons why I chose to smoke,,,up to a pack aContinue reading “100 Days of Writing – Day Forty-Five”

100 Days of Writing – Day Forty-Three

Continued absitenence from smoking and a close call…. Thirty-four days, six hours, thirty minutes….that’s how long it’s been since I smoked my last cigarette. Even now, over a month later, I still have cravings and urges to have “just a smoke or two.” But I know full well where that will lead,,,a place I’m notContinue reading “100 Days of Writing – Day Forty-Three”

100 Days of Writing – Day Forty

Just random writing today…whatever pops into my head. Today is Tuesday. I’ve had over one month now since my last cigarette and even though I still get cravings, I haven’t found it necessary to pick up a cigarette. For that, I am grateful. I’ve avoided smoking 584 cigarettes over the twenty-nine-day period and have savedContinue reading “100 Days of Writing – Day Forty”

100 Days of Writing – Day Thirty-Nine

What are five things I can do when I get the urge to smoke? I have a good friend Michael who, like myself has in the past been addicted to smoking. Although I was addicted to cigarettes and him to smoking a pipe, the results were much the same: nicotine became addictive and began affectingContinue reading “100 Days of Writing – Day Thirty-Nine”

100 Days of Writing – Day Thirty-Four

Asking for help. It can be one of the most difficult things we do in life, but often it’s literally a life-saver. I found myself in what I consider to be the worst days of my life. My addiction to alcohol had been one of the primary reasons for my marital separation and eventual divorce.Continue reading “100 Days of Writing – Day Thirty-Four”

100 Days of Writing – Day Thirty-Three

Smoking Cessation Continues….Day Twenty It’s been nearly three weeks since I’ve smoked a cigarette and although I’m still dealing with cravings and urges to smoke, I haven’t given into those and remain smoke-free. My last cigarette was on Monday, July 18th at 5:05 a.m. I’ve been using nicotine lozenges to replace some of the nicotineContinue reading “100 Days of Writing – Day Thirty-Three”