Ultimate Challenge Number One --- Passed.
Went to a rehearsal dinner/party for a friend getting married. After the formal festivities about 8 of us guys (college buds) went to a bar for some (er, a lot of) drinks. Out of the 8 of us, 6 of them were either smoking a cigarette, smoking a cigar or dipping. On the television in the bar they were playing ESPN and while there was no sound I could tell it had something to do with flashy football players or something like that. The screen flashed numerous times scenes of Jim McMahon (former QB of Bears) with a fat dip in. Nonetheless, the night was filled with nicotine all around me.
I literally almost went thru an entire package of cinnamon gum but quite frankly, I'm not sure I really needed to. Maybe I did, not sure. There were certainly moments that would flash before me to have a dip or stick a cigar in my mouth. However, that was it...just moments...I didn't cave and I didn't want to.
Quite frankly, I was nervous heading to the bar. I almost posted roll again just to reinforce my promise but I didn't cause didn't want to look like weak. Now, in retrospect, I'm glad for things that were thrown in my face. I'm glad to know that my quit is strong that I can look at nicotine (several times over) and not cave or even seriously consider caving.
Don't get me wrong, I know I'm not invincible. I know that nicotine continues to fuck with my head throughout the day. I know that 9 days quit does not equal being cured of 21 years of heavy nicotine use. Most importantly though, I know that the strength certainly and most definitely existed to stay quit as day 9 reached conclusion - and I get to wake up in the morning and post roll to commit to being quit for the 10th day.
Anyway, my little thread so just wanted to throw that down to articulate for me what I accomplished. The next real challenge will be on Monday when I go on a business trip - those road trips are major triggers. Nonetheless, I'm not going to worry about that right yet.
