2010 Thought of the Day Archive

April 2, 2010

A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step. - Laozi

How will I socialize without cigarettes? How will I manage my anger and sadness without cigarettes? How will I drive without cigarettes? How will I live the rest of my life without cigarettes?! Stop. All that matters is this moment. What are you truly faced with in this moment? Focus on managing whatever is presented and you will make it through without cigarettes - you will. Quitting smoking is a journey that begins, and is a compilation of single steps/moments. Do not worry about all the unknowns, just focus on today and this moment and you will be successful. In a few years you will look back, realize, and feel proud of all the miles you have traveled. Today, begin with a single step.

March 26, 2010

Hold fast to dreams, for if dreams die, life is a broken winged bird that cannot fly. - Langston Hughes

Why do you want to quit smoking? Health, family, freedom from nicotine. Hold on to your dreams and your reasons for quitting smoking. Having dreams, and holding on to them, will give you strength and energy to face and overcome those moments that challenge you. With clarity, you will understand that each step is for the purpose of greater good - accomplishing you dreams. Today, ask yourself, "What are my dreams? What do I want to accomplish? Where do I want to be in a year." Recall your dreams and aspirations every time you experience a challenging moment and feel the strength and energy to hold fast.

March 19, 2010

To succeed... you need to find something to hold on to, something to motivate you, something to inspire you. - Tony Dorsett

Stay focused and stay with your commitment to quit smoking. When cravings are intense and when new coping strategies do not seem to help, stay with it and hold on to your commitment to quit smoking - do not smoke. Feel inspired by your commitment and your ability to stay focused. The cravings will pass, the moment will end, and everything is okay, you are successful! Today, take one craving at a time, stay focused and hold on to your commitment to quit smoking. Celebrate your success in this moment!

March 12, 2010

The more difficulties one has to encounter, within and without, the more significant and the higher in inspiration his life will be. - Horace Bushnell

Do not fear challenges that arise with stopping smoking. Challenges come and go and exist within and without us. Respond positively to challenges by recognizing that they will help us grow stronger and contribute to a more significant and insightful journey. Underneath every challenge, lies incredible opportunity. Today, be positive and recognize the incredible opportunity!

March 5, 2010

Commitment leads to action. Action brings your dream closer. - Marcia Wieder

To be successful in stopping smoking, make a plan to stop smoking and commit to it 100%. Your commitment will lead to action and before you know it, you will be living your dream. Believe in your ability to stay committed to your plan. Believe in your ability to face and manage each craving. Believe that your dedication and actions will make your dreams a reality. Today, make a commitment to change one thing about your smoking, act on your commitment and live your dream!

February 26, 2010

Press on! A better fate awaits thee. - Victor Hugo

Press on! Make the decision and commitment to quit smoking and stay with it. No matter what happens - physical cravings or emotional upsets - stay with it. Remember that you are reconditioning your body and mind and it will get better. Stay focused and stay with it...a better fate awaits! Today, repeat to yourself, "press on!" You can and will become free of tobacco. That freedom awaits you - stay with it!

February 19, 2010

Life without a purpose is a languid, drifting thing; every day we ought to review our purpose, saying to ourselves, 'This day let me make a sound beginning.' -Thomas Kempis

If you desire to stop smoking, then prepare yourself and make the commitment to stop smoking. There is no such thing as the perfect time to stop smoking. Therefore, do not delay or wait for the perfect time to arise. Rather, act on your desire to stop smoking. Every day, review your desire to stop smoking and make a purposeful contribution toward your journey in becoming smoke free. Today, in what way can I make a sound beginning or contribution toward becoming smoke free?

February 5, 2010

A person is a success if they get up in the morning and gets to bed at night and in between does what he wants to do. - Bob Dylan

Take one craving and one day at a time. Do not project to the future with worry or uncertainty. Stay here, in the present. Stay focused and do what you set out to do. Remember that success is accomplished through an accumulation of smaller achievements. Believe and be certain in your goal to be a nonsmoker. To accomplish this goal, all you need to do is focus on today. Today, wake up with the intention to be smoke free; go to bed at night with the same intention; and do what you set out to do in between.

January 29, 2010

Our greatest glory is not in never falling, but in getting up every time we do. - Confucius

Do not waste your energy worrying about nicotine cravings, withdrawal or failure. It is impossible to control your quit smoking experience 100%. Prepare yourself to the best of your ability and focus your energy on how you will respond in every moment. Make a commitment to pick yourself up, stay strong, and think positive in every situation - good or bad. We have the opportunity and ability to respond in a positive way, every time we fall or are faced with challenges. This is a great skill! Today, make a commitment to get-up and move forward in any challenging situation or feeling you experience. Remember, we have the opportunity and ability to make a difference!

January 22, 2010

Ask yourself this question:
"Will this matter a year from now?" - Richard Carlson

We can experience many different feelings when we prepare to quit smoking or quit smoking. What situations make us feel anxious, worried or fearful? Will these situations matter a year from now? Probably not. In a year from now you will be living as a nonsmoker and feel comfortable managing daily and stressful situations without smoking. Today, if you feel worried, fearful or anxious about a certain situation, take a deep breath and ask yourself, will this matter a year from now?

January 14, 2010

A smooth sea never made a skillful mariner. - Anonymous

There is no perfect time to quit smoking. Prepare yourself and your environment the best you can and then, move forward with confidence, acceptance and awareness. Today is the day for you to move toward preparing to quit smoking or quitting smoking all together. If life is a little rough, or becomes a little rough, while you are quitting smoking - do not worry or fear - you will make it through. Remain focused on your goals. Accept whatever comes and continue to move forward with confidence and awareness. Challenging situations are not smooth or easy. However, they provide an opportunity to develop essential and lifelong coping strategies that will contribute to your success in quitting smoking and many other goals you pursue. Today, accept life as it is and make a decision to move forward toward quitting smoking.

January 7, 2010

There are two things to aim at in life; first to get what you want, and after that to enjoy it. Only the wisest of mankind has achieved the second. -Logan Pearsall Smith

The beginning of a new year gives us the opportunity to live a better and healthier lifestyle. Take a moment to decide what you want to accomplish this year and outline specific steps that you will take to get there. Remember, stopping smoking, or changing any behavior, involves many small steps. Accomplish one step at a time and once you do, enjoy it! There will be another step to work toward and achieve but do not forget all you have accomplished already. Celebrate and feel proud - you are on the path to achieving what you want in life. Best wishes for a happy and healthy 2010!