Proud of myself

I am 56 years old now.  I have been smoking since I was 20 years old.  Adds up to 36 years.... that is a long time of smoking!

For years I thought about quitting, and although I quit a few times, I always came back.  And smoked more than before.  But never before had I gotten so sick I couldn't breathe.  Just the thought of dying while coughing with asthma knocked some sense into me.  And I just stopped.  Since the beginning of April, and it's the 25th today, and so far so good.  And I can smell better, and the cigarette smoke doesn't bother me.  I actually feel good about it, and feel good about the fact that it has just become second nature to me.  I have only craved it a few times, because I have just concentrated in getting better from the allergies and asthma.

And yesterday for the first time in days, I spent a day with no rash and no hives.   I kept checking my arms and neck for any signs, and there weren't any.  How good is that!   And the breathing is also getting better, thanks God.  Without realizing it, I feel so clean inside... wow, this is amazing!  I have done this...  I am so proud of myself!  

I have just been so wrapped up in everything else going on in my life, that haven't really taken the time to stop and realize that what I  have just done for my life is something great, and it's the biggest decision that I have taken in a long time to better my life.  I haven't really realized how important this is to me.   An amazing accomplishment, so proud for having done this.  Yes, I am!