Much research has been focused on the effects of nicotine and smoking on the physical body. Thousands of people have spent thousands of hours in PET and fMRI machines and millions of dollars have been spent as doctors watched the effects of nicotine as it flowed through bodies, and the effects of withdrawal as it subsided. Emerging from all this research are various drugs that are intended and believed to help someone quit smoking. All this is very good. I, myself, used Wellbutrin XL as the courage to leap into my quit, and, as of this writing, am 29 months quit. Without it, I likely would still be smoking today and still hating myself for it. Im not endorsing the medication as everyones needs are different. I am just stating that I used it, and that it worked for me.

But in spite of all this effort, time, and money put into the research and development of various aids to quit smoking, one thing remains unchanged, and often overlooked. To successfully quit:

You must want to quit more than you want to smoke!

This want cannot be seen on any PET or fMRI scan. It cannot be induced by any medication. Neither hypnosis nor acu-anything will give it to you. Nicotine replacements will not seep it into your body and mind.

This want does not come from your brain. It comes from your heart. Only there will the seeds of self-love germinate, grow, and blossom until you become so important to yourself that you will deal with the trials of breaking the nicotine addiction.

Sure, Ive known many who have quit for other reasons: kids, grandkids, money, social status, etc. The list is endless. But I have never known any who has maintained a long-term quit this way. In every successful case, the quitter discovered the wonders of the quit, discovered a new them, and loved what theyd discovered. This was the power behind their success, not their original reason.

Its often been said that you must quit for yourself. This is very true. If you quit for your boyfriend and then he leaves, why stay quit? If you quit for the cost, then win the lottery, why stay quit? If you quit for your family, then they make you really mad, why not smoke just to get back at them for how badly they upset you? That would certainly show them, wouldnt it? This latter one has ended many quits.

There is no beauty, no love, and no grandeur in smoking. It only provides lies, pain, and death. We are worth so much more than that. YOU are worth so much more than that.

Say it out loud: I am worth so much more than lies, pain, and death from smoking! Repeat until you feel yourself believing it, for it is true.

As you are learning your truths of smoking, also develop your love for yourself. Seek and discover the wonders and the gifts that you are. Some negatives may pop up. If they do, then examine them in the light of your truth and see them for what they really are: the lies the addiction uses to keep you hooked. Then discard them and find the countering truth about yourself. We are the most wondrous and beautiful creatures inside, in our hearts, where all that really counts resides.

Say it out loud: I am a wondrous and beautiful creature inside. I am filled with love for myself and hold many gifts for the world. Repeat until you feel yourself believing it, for it is true.

Love yourself. Quit smoking. Please.