Day 60 – The test - My first road trip. I have made this 4 hour trip many times and loved to listen to music, day dream and fill my mouth with so much poison. I had some vets tell me that my period of quit time is when my brain is rewiring.
All the sites, music, gas stations along the way. Everything was a trigger. I felt that the trip wasnÂ’t going right. Something was wrong. Oh thatÂ’s right I donÂ’t have a dip in. Wait, I have been nic free for so long, I canÂ’t believe the power of the mind. Physically I donÂ’t need it but it kept creeping into my mind.
One factor I left out. Before I left, I invited my family to go. Everyone was too busy. Nothing I love more than being on the road by myself, but this was different. I didn’t feel ready to be alone. No bother, I can go and keep my quit brothers close. My wife said, “I have never seen you look that sad when we say we can’t go to Saint George.” I answered, “Really? Well I am not sad, I am just feeling like I am not ready to be alone but I need to stay strong and I have my quit brothers."
My son came to me and said, “Dad my schedule just cleared up and I would love to go with you.” Cool! It really is neat when a father looks to his son and his son looks to his father. That kid was my wingman. I could have still caved if I wanted to but this little reminder in my front seat was my hero and I didn’t want to disappoint.
What a blast rewiring my brain. I taught my son how to hunt toads at night. Sounds really insignificant writing it down but it was a priceless moment. I wasn't trying to get away from him so that I could put a pinch between my cheek and gum. I was enjoying the excitement of a father and son on an adventure. He was hunting Toads and I was rewiring my brain.
What a great day. I didnÂ’t have much access to the site but did get a call that we had a couple casualties. It reminded me of my wrestling team in high school. Sometimes we would lose a meet but I won my match. So I hated losing as a team but I did my job for the victory. That was how I felt with the news. Quitting is very much like wrestling. It is an individual sport, and each individual has to make his or her own contribution for the team to have success. Even so, I won my match today!!!
Day 61 – Drove back with a happy and thankful spirit. It is Mothers day today. I can talk freely about my addiction with my family. My wife loves me and I made a great decision to choose her to be the mother of my kids. I have such a good life. Tobacco is a crock of shit. It did nothing but detract from things I love. It puts blinders on and alienates you from love. It lowers your IQ and self worth but most importantly you lose site and gratitude for what you have and can accomplish. The buzz just numbs ones desire to have personal victories. I fucking paid for that for 22 years! It wasn’t forced, I bought the lie. Not Now Not Today! I see tobacco and know the truth. Evil. This is pure anti-American, freedom robbing, evil.
Day 62 Just a quit day. As an official LakersÂ’ Hater, I loved watching OKC wipe their ass with Gasol and that #24 guy. Westbrook posted up Blake and # 24 thinks he can fix it? Westbrook Schooled that #24.
Day 63 – I still see the damn broken record of people not posting roll. Those who are strongly encouraging their brother to post and the brother explaining why he won’t or doesn't need to. This time I read and it looks like some will post all week but not on weekends? I seriously don’t get why simple and important things are difficult for some to do.
I have kids so I know it is hard to get them to do what is good for them. I wash clothes and all they have to do is put the clothes away. They would rather live out of their clothes basket and not put them away. No matter how much I yell and complain, I canÂ’t get my kids to buy into that concept. So I look at it like if my kids want to live that way, what is it hurting me? ItÂ’s just a difference of opinion.
Now when my son thought he could be late on curfew. I had a different attitude. Fist time he was late we talked about it. The second time he was punished for it and the Third time, I threw him out of the house. “If you think I make rules just for the fun of it you’re wrong. There is logic behind it. If you think you can flippantly come and go as you please and expect me to pay your way, you’re wrong! Because you can’t make it home on time, you are a big boy now and can make your own rules to live by. Congratulations son, I thought you would be prepared for the real world a couple years from now. Looks like you are ready now. Bye, Bye.” Wife is crying, "where is he going to go? How is he going to get by without us? Is he going to be okay?" Me: "He’s fine. Let him sweat it out he may be stubborn but he is also smart. Let it ride, his choice."
My son has never missed curfew again. Addicts are children at times. They donÂ’t know what is best and they think they know everything. DonÂ’t plead with them to follow the rules. Kick them out. We need to let them discover the value and respect the program. If they really want to quit, theyÂ’ll come back. So if the douches want to prove that they can quit without us. Great! They are quit. If they need the site, they will make sure to post roll if you take the privilege away from them. All bark and no bite on posting roll creates the broken record you see. EITHER IT IS NOT A BIG DEAL OR IT IS. If they refuse to post, donÂ’t beat them up about it. They wonÂ’t listen. If it is a big enough issue. Kick them out of the group and let them find a group that will allow them to join.
Day 64 – I changed my avatar. It is of Cale Sanderson. Cale Sanderson Wrestled for Iowa State. Cale is the only wrestler that had an undefeated record in college. Not even Dan Gable has that record. His college record was an impressive 159-0.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n-i4pIa1SG0 So I’m adopting this as my avatar. My goal is to keep my undefeated record on KTC. If I wake up one day and I have a 159 – 0 record with tobacco; I might change my avatar at that time. My vision is to train, stay alert and never surrender. Every day is a match. I can’t look past the match at hand. Sure I have many more matches to get to 159. In order to remain undefeated, I must only worry and concentrate on my match today.
I was always serious about my quit. I listened to the vets, I followed orders, I got training, I ran drill and exercises I also committed a little extra by quitting alcohol. I thought it was a sacrifice but its not. I am stronger for it! I know that the only way nicotine can beat me is if I allow it to. I am on guard now and confident that I wonÂ’t allow nicotine to beat me.
Weighed in this morning. Lost 5 of the 20lbs gained in my quit. Keep that up too. Be a quitter and a loser Thomas!
How about that? I am bragging when I say, I'm a loser and a quitter. Who ever thought those two words increases self esteem?