Still Kitemaking After All These Years…
When I quit smoking, I became part of a newsgroup called AS3. It is where I met
Steve. Nowadays, I occasionally go back and visit. Below is the post that was
just written. I wanted to share it with all of you as well. I have written
much about Cog Quit in my posts to AS3 over the years and how fortunate I am to
achieve quit comfort because of it. Although grateful for AS3, I am most
grateful for Cog Quit. For sure.
Pat
Hello again. I had some thoughts today that I’d like to share. First though,
I’d like to thank each of you who responded to my “Bifts” (I’m still embarrassed
by this gaff… sigh) post. This group is truly warm and accepting. Thank you
for that.
5 years ago, I wrote about a brand new experience in my life… that of kite
making. It was amazing to me to realize one of the gifts of my quit was a
feeling that since I quit, I could do anything. With my new found courage, I
found myself willing to try new things. And one of those things was building
kites.
I wrote a long post about that first kite making experience. Once I had quit
smoking, I saw myself take the new courage that I felt and begin to define a new
me. It was more than just the picture of a non-smoker, it was the picture of a
non-smoker who could do anything I chose to do… and this because I no longer
had a smoke defined world.
Always before, my smoking had truly defined my world. I went places where I
could smoke. And if I couldn’t smoke, I had to know there was a place (usually
outside in the frigid cold) where I could smoke. I was also ashamed of my
smoking so that limited what I could do and who I could be with. (Many of my
acquaintances never knew I smoked because I was so careful to not smell like a
fresh smoke cig. That took great effort on my part… careful planning. How
sad.) Also, my health was not so hot so that limited what I could do. But
suddenly (In reality, I had to get past the first few months of my quit to
realize this), I realized there wasn’t a place I couldn’t go and enjoy for
however long I wanted to experience it. I also LOVED the smell of the new me (I
smelled of soap and cleanliness. BIG smile) so I wasn’t afraid to be around
others. And physically, I felt stronger. I could breathe!!! I could laugh and
not have it end in a
coughing spasm. With all of these new feelings, I saw a new picture of me
emerge. And within this new picture, I saw that of a kite maker.
By now I have a whole corner full of kites. This year I made a star facet kite,
a new parafoil and a windsock that looks like a crayon with a tail that when it
flies, looks like it is writing in the sky. I also saw the fella again that I
wrote about in that milestone post. (He was one of the instructors from that
first year.) This year he sat behind me, also making the parafoil. As I was
sitting there sewing away, I realized he didn’t get up once!!! This is the guy
who so strongly reminded me of why I had quit smoking as he hocked and coughed
away. He also smelled so bad, I could barely stand next to him to talk to him.
This time as he worked on the parafoil kite, he sat there as long as I did. I
then knew he had quit smoking. YIPPEE!!! He is the father of two and a husband
for 18+ years. Now he’s given himself the chance to be around for all of them
for a long time to come. Goodonhim.
I hope you have also realized that by quitting smoking you have opened up your
world. You have given yourself the chance to redefine who you are and what you
can now do with your life. In the beginning, it’s hard to see past the immense
struggle to get free. But once you have gotten over that hump, the world opens
up with new possibilities. You can now be all that you want to be without
giving one thought to the insidious addiction that once defined your world. How
excellent is that? HUGE smile.
I am very proud of all of you for the courage you are showing to get free. No,
it’s not easy but in the end, when you have begun to see yourself in a new
light, you will realize the gift you have given to you… that of smoke freedom.
Keep on keeping on. It takes putting one foot in front of the other. Even if
you falter, it’s important to get right back up and start walking forward again.
It can be done. Absolutely.
Still the ol’ kitemaker,
Pat
4yrs+
P. S. If you want to read about my first experience at kite making, go to
www.talkingstick.net and under “Milestones”, “Flying into a New Life…”.