Checking in

Hi folks, just wanted to check in with you. It's been an okay day, other than that I have been at work for too long. I haven't wanted to smoke at all today, which is really nice.

Last week I had a physical exam, and had to write my confession that I smoked for 8 years, a pack a day, prior to May of this year. I dreaded the lecture that I have come to expect from every doctor: "Well, you wouldn't be sick if you didn't smoke..." I always want to say, "Look pal, I'm not paying you $200 to tell me that I shouldn't smoke. I get that for free all the time anyway."

But my new doctor scored big with me when she confessed to being an ex-smoker too, and offered me encouragement, and just one piece of advice: "If you have a slip, remember, it's just a slip, you're human, you don't have to throw in the towel, hate yourself and go buy a pack of cigarettes. Just get back on the wagon. And the clock doesn't start over either." Very, very cool doctor.

That's all for now. Keep the faith!