GUS (Gave Up Smoking) is a continuing community support series posted for Kossacks in the midst of quitting smoking. Any supportive comments, suggestions or positive distractions are appreciated. We avoid discussion of political issues. If you are quitting or even thinking about quitting, please -- join us! You can click on the ♥ next to the GUS tag to put this series in your stream!
And please definitely visit the GUS Library at dKosopedia. It is organically evolving, and stocked with free-range information: quit-smoking links, helpful GUS series writing tips, and the GUS buddy list.
A message to all quitters: you don't have to avoid GUS if your latest attempt to quit didn't work out. We won't give you a bad time and we consider the attempted quits as "practice" for the real quit.
"Live Those Days Tonight"
You may be thinking "all right anod, what the hell are you doing dragging a video and song about the celebration of the golden age of rave into a series that works hard to help people overcome the desire to smoke specifically, and also (at least in my case) lead towards positive behavioral modification, in general?"
1) I like the song.
2) Very upbeat, trendy, good rhythm. Crisp guitar, bass is phat and percussion totally bangs it out.
3) It does hearken back to a past that I for one hold dear. (I've been lucky to live through a number of "golden ages" of popular music. The 60's, the 70's, the 80's, the 90's, and the 00's)
4) That past is taken in the highest regard (I think) and then made into the singer's / group's / band's own golden moments right here and right now.
5) "Don't hold back" "Don't hold back" "Don't hold back" "Don't hold back"
6) A young man (Ed Macfarlane) able to dance in his own unique style and working it well (in my opinion) in his own way. Examples:
here,
here, and
here
7) see #1
I've had such great success over the past couple years or so.
I quit smoking.
I quit drinking.
I exercise daily (I love my bike!)
My hypertension is under control.
I'm eating healthy, balanced, appropriately portioned meals (usually)
My mental health is generally stable.
I have a positive outlook on my future and myself.
I don't want my success to be viewed as intimidation, or with resentment or as braggidocio. I'm humble enough to know I wouldn't be here without a lot of support and encouragement, or that I'm only one day away from being right back to square one.
I wouldn't be telling the whole story if I didn't state that anxiety, stress, frustration and depression ruled some of my days.
Bad enough to miss work some times and hide in my house/room/bed/self.
I lost my dad and although we weren't close, it's been hard. I miss him. He loved me.
My wife moved out. I still love her and miss her, but that's the past too.
Lois is building her own life. I love her and will miss her so much.
I'm alone. It's scary sometimes. My cats absorb so many of my tears.
That's my human experience and that's my real life. baby.
All I can ask of myself is
Am I learning something every day?
Am I doing the best I can?
I really am living it one day (or night) at a time.
I don't know what else I can say to help convince anyone out there that quitting smoking has had a huge positive impact on my life. Huge.
And I get to come here and hang out with a great group of individuals every day, people who I can be myself around.
So please, even if you're just thinking about quitting, however vaguely or definitely, or you're at any point in a personal quit program that's going well, or going poorly, we'd love to have you visit and share, and...and...and join :-)
"Don't hold back"
"Don't hold back"
"Don't hold back"
"Don't hold back"
So you've had some experience with the effects of smoking, and want to post your own GUS story or host an open thread? Please sign up in the Butt Can (Tip Jar), and name the day and time that works for you (AM, PM, late-night, early-bird...) How to write a GUS post the easy way. Oh! goodness, so easy! Regular contributors have been bolded for your viewing convenience. There are plenty of opportunities open! Operators are standing by! Have I mentioned how easy it is??
Thu PM: ♫ ♪ ♫
Fri AM: open (flumptytail out of town this week)
Fri PM: open
Sat AM: effervescent (bring your yoga mat!)
Sat PM: open (ChocolateChris on a break)
Sun AM: open (MillieNeon maybe back in September?!?)
Sun PM: bgblcklab1 !!
Mon AM: open
Mon PM: Vacationland
Tue AM: open
Tue PM: Safina !! (aoeu taking a break)
Wed AM: open (LABWITCH on hiatus)
Wed PM: FrugralGranny
Thu AM: open
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