Doctoral Dissertation: Lessons from the Road
From mearl on 9/6/2001 3:29:41 PM




Because I'm (uncharacteristically) feeling a bit humble just now, I offer the following lessons "from the road" in lieu of my normal free-style rambling ramble. (Don't expect it to be any shorter, though :)

Lessons from the Road:

1. No one is safe. Regardless of heredity (good or bad), quantity (5 cigs vs. a pack a day), quality (low tar filters vs. Camels straight-up), etc., smoking causes cancer. Smoking clogs arteries. Smoking kills. These are cold, hard, facts ... not cute little cautionary fables. Stop kidding yourself...your number is in that bag right along with mine.

2. The major fallacy in deciding you can always quit tomorrow is that you're assuming you have a tomorrow.

3. Today is all you can count on -- so do what you can today. The best recipe for success is to repeat this for as many new "todays" as you encounter. Continue indefinitely.

4. Attitude, attitude, attitude. If you look at your day as 24 hours of self-deprivation, you're going to feel deprived. If you look at your day as 24 hours of self-discovery, you're going to feel challenged. The more you talk about how miserable and unhappy you are, the more miserable and unhappy you will be. If you can't find something to feel good about in YOUR quit, reach out to someone else who's struggling and help them...you might be surprised to discover how much better you'll feel.

5. Cry if you need to, but laugh twice as often. If you can't find something else to laugh at, laugh at yourself. There is humor in this struggle...if it doesn't bubble up to the top and tickle your nose, go looking for it. I guarantee it's there somewhere (right there in the refrigerator, behind your sneaker and can of lemon pledge). I also guarantee that in finding it, you'll save money (I must have saved hundreds in potential Kleenex purchases alone).

6. Q Q Q. This place is a lifeline. Yours, ours, and theirs. Doesn't matter if it pisses you off or makes you laugh...doesn't matter if you just lurk or stick to shy replys or are a frequent and rapid-poster...this place will save your life...if you let it. My advice...let it.

7. Give, and you'll get...and get...and get. The very best thing about the Q (sorry, admin, the advice and e-mails and such are great, but...) is the people you'll meet along the way. Get yourself some good Qbuds...surround yourself with those who came before and those who came after you...one group will lift you up...the other will keep you humble. Be supportive and you'll receive the same support 100 times over.
[allpraisessungtowithoutmeritjkayjim44madmaxxltbfreeandmanymore]

8. Look around and enjoy the scenery, but keep your eyes on your own footsteps first and foremost. It's good to see what others are enduring, how others have succeeded...helps us to not feel so alone in our struggle, gives us hope for easier days ahead. But if you base your quit solely on how others are faring, you are liable to lose sight of your own quit and stumble into the brambles...or fall right off the side of the cliff. There will always be those who struggle more or seem to fare better than us....to compare ourselves in terms of winners and losers is sheerest folly. Your quit is yours alone. Others can advise you and be there for you, but you and you alone are responsible for getting to where you want to be.

9. Listen to what others have to say...but take what you need and leave the rest...We're all individuals and what works for me might not for you...Disagree as civilly as possible, but do feel free to disagree...difference is what makes the world go round (or at least keeps things interesting).

10. Put one foot in front of the other. When all else fails, just keep plodding along. You may not feel like doing it, you may not enjoy doing it, but if you keep putting one foot in front of the other, you will, however slowly, be moving forward. (We all know it wasn't speed that caused the turtle to win the race.)

11. Whenever possible, be humble....but every once in a while, when the occasion requires it, and you feel like you've just got to crow....well, let loose and ..... CROW!!! After all...who's better than you today!!??

12. And lastly, if you do nothing else, do this (and do it religiously): DO NOT put a single cigarette in your mouth under ANY circumstances. Do not buy them, do not put one in or near your mouth. As long as you follow this one simple (if not easy) tenet...you CANNOT fail. Guaran-damn-teed!!!

Stick with it, Q-friends. My trek started with Day One, Footfall One...and slowly led me to where I stand today....no earthly reason why your trek, started in exactly the same way, can't lead you to stand right here beside me!

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