You will often hear the phrase, Smoking is not an option. When I first came to the Q, I thought to myself, 'Du-uh....of course, it's not an option', but I didn't truly understand what that meant.

It means, you don't cave in no matter how tough the crave, no matter how bad the fight with your spouse or how bad the night is. It means you don't smoke, period. IT IS NOT AN OPTION!

Someone posted earlier today that was having a rough time and said something to the effect that they didn't know how much longer they could hold out. Change the attitude to: It doesn't matter how long this craving lasts, I'm not smoking. If nicodemon screams in your ear all night long, you must tell him he can keep on screaming til he has no voice, because you are not smoking.

You are not smoking....if you gain 5 pounds or 55 pounds...you'll deal with that later...but you are NOT smoking. If your kids tell you that you are mean and all you do is yell at them, tell them you are sorry, but they will get used to it. You are not smoking. (They will love you anyway, they are family!) If the report is due tomorrow and you cannot concentrate, know that quitting smoking did not make you stupid. True, it can hurt your concentration, but you certainly won't get any smarter if you light up and blow your quit. Work in 10 minute segments on the report and take a break. It will get done and you will not smoke.

Take smoking OFF THE TABLE!! It is not an option. It is not a choice. You don't smoke anymore. The only way to quit smoking is to not smoke.

You go out in the morning and you have a flat tire. What can you do? Get mad, get frustrated, change the tire, call a cab, take a bus, stay home from work....many choices there, but smoking is NOT one of them. Got it? I hope so. Once you decide smoking is not an option, your quit becomes easier. You no longer have to struggle with that 'should I or shouldn't I?' stuff. You shouldn't, no doubt about it.

I hope this helps some new quitters look at things in a different light. It is all up to you. Your attitude will make all the difference in the world.

Leejay