NOTE: This series is for the advanced reader. These posts are earmarked for removal but remain here temporarily.

 

323877414_0fccdaa706_mWrestling with the present moment is all you ever have to do to quit smoking. Of course you have to win the wrestling match.
Here’s one way to win.
Right now, get a feel for this present moment. Breathe in and be aware of the moment. That’ s all. It’ s no big deal, just breathe in and out and be aware that this is a present moment. That is what it all comes down to. It is so simple but that does not mean easy.
Think of “You”  and ” your ego”  as two separate things. Your ego wants to smoke. ” You” do not. Your ego will do anything to get back to smoking. Anything. “You”  are aware of all this. The wrestling goes on between ” You”  and “your ego” . ” You”  have never been a smoker. Ego is always up for anything to keep it busy, occupied, tapping, humming, or…smoking.
Here are some examples so you can get a feel for the difference between ” You”  and “ego”. Note: I am not using the clinical definition of ego, this is a generalization.

When you always have to have music in the car, that’s probably ego.
When you’re calmly looking out over the ocean, that’s ” You”. When “You”  are aware and observant that “ego”  likes music in the car, that can be a good balance.
When you eat even if you’re not hungry- “ego”.
When you are drifting off to sleep, ” You”.

The ego can get so out of control that it will make ridiculous choices. Stupid is not a strong enough word. Imbecile. Idiot. Arrogant and downright dumb. Have you seen the  drug rehab TV show ‘Intervention’?  The show is usually dealing with an aspect of a personality that is ego driven.
Let’s define something before we get too far into this ’”ego” jungle.

Ego is needed in all walks of life. It is a very important part of the personality that helps you navigate the world. Ego is just fine and is not to be treated as bad. But that doesn’t let it off the hook.
The controlling self or, Ego is still the part of you that wants to smoke. It will go to extraordinary lengths to get what it wants. And it will become an imposter using the voice of ” You”.  But make no mistake, it is not “You”. It must be tamed and used in a positive way.

Have you ever heard of one of those pathetic news stories where animal control officials have to go to a house and deal with about 90 cats? There are cats on all the furniture, bathrooms, walking over bookcases, on the kitchen counters and just all over the house. That’ s exactly what happens when the ego gets out of control. The cats need what nobody is providing: limits and boundaries.

Here’s a quick tip. The ego will tell you that it will be fine to smoke just one or two a day. “You can get this thing under control and keep it manageable”,  it whispers, using ”Your”  voice.
That’ s crap. It won’t work. You have to learn to recognize that kind of manipulative ego trick. To quit smoking it must be 100%. Ego will try for every kind of variation on 100% until it learns there are absolutely none.
So, how do ” You” effectively wrestle with ” ego ”?  This blog is dedicated to all the smart, creative things you can do to make the process much easier. It works. I have actually done it. I have used my awareness every single day for over 20 years and have not smoked or, as some others like to say, I have been free of smoking.
I have coached many others in these exercises but I will not use the testimony of others because this process is very personal. One can praise the program today and go back to smoking the next. It is up to each person every day. There will never be a day when you have made it.  Completing this is done each moment, literally. Quitsmart — Everything You Need to Break Free from Cigarettes You can only accumulate moments and be thankful for each one. (continued , Exactly How to Stop Smoking Nicotine Part 2)

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