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This is the story of David. It is a poignant
little story regarding David's obsession with smoking and the difficulty
he had in quitting the same. Now he proudly tells others that he is an
ex-smoker. He is now enjoying life in all its glory and bliss. This is
what David has to say about his efforts:
“A few
summers ago I paid a visit to my physician with pain in my chest. I was
33 years old then. He made me go through some tests and when I returned
the next time, he uttered those unforgettable words, “David, it is high
time you quit.”
"Really", I said jokingly, "I have quit
smoking many a times."
The physician didn't return back the
smile. He said "Your baby is one year old, isn't she?"
Yes, she is a cute baby and I love her very much"
"And how many
cigarettes do you smoke in a day?" "35 to 45", I said.
I
was then in a stressful job and I smoked to keep awake and not to slow
down. The physician said, "I have some bad news for you. You have got a
form of coronary heart disease and if you do not stop smoking right now
and forever, I doubt whether you'll be able to see your daughter's 5th
birthday."
When someone tells you that kind of a thing,
right in your face, you just don't know where to go. I had always wanted
to quit but as I was young then and not mentally prepared to quit, I
never tried to make serious efforts.
But I have known my
physician for years. He is a no nonsense person. And I know if he is
saying something it has to be straight. I knew than that I had no
alternative. Either I had to quit smoking or perish. I threw down my
packet of cigarettes right in his chamber's dustbin and said, “ I will
be an ex-smoker from now on."
Easy said than done. To go cold turkey in that fashion is very
tough. The next few days were quite challenging. But I have kept the
promise I made to myself. I never gave up. After almost two straining
weeks, I started to really believe that I had done the impossible and
started to treat myself as an ex-smoker.”
This is the story of David. Though it is a physical and mental
addiction, David knows that if he someday weakens, it would literally
mean putting a nail to his own coffin. Only his will power and
determination saw him through in those difficult times and are still
carrying him through.
To avoid any kind of distractions, David
avoided his smoker friends for a while. He became an unsocial person for
the time being. Gradually, he lost the urge to smoke.
David is
now 50 year old and waiting for his daughter's 21st birthday this year.
The pains and sufferings of those earlier times is a distant memory now.
I wish the same for you. All the best!
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