Wonder of wonder, miracle of miracles, God has taken me by the hand and brought me through the lion’s den. I have 31 years without drinking and 30 days of NO SMOKING- it is really amazing- no cheating, no crazier than I ever am and the fact that I am not even missing it is a miracle.
I had dental surgery on March 2nd and I decided to not smoke while my mouth healed. It’s extended to the entire month and I really don’t miss it much. I was a hope to die smoker. No one, especially my wife, Harriet, believed I could or would quit. She is with me 24/7 and can attest to my abstinence!
It’s interesting to see how not smoking hasn’t really resulted in any big extremes in me. I gained about 15 pounds and have lost 5-6 already. I’m currently “safe at home” in Palm Desert and we are walking, reading, doing Zoom and Facebook Live with Daf Heschel (my version of studying Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel, I’m a Rabbi if you haven’t picked up on that by now). Harriet and I are working on what we want to do after this pandemic is over. I am seeing how Zoom can work to spread the message of recovery further than I thought.
I am also enjoying not absenting myself by having to go outside to smoke. I’m much more present and when the urge to smoke hits me - and it does - I just remember that the urge will pass whether I indulge it or not. What I have learned and what I want to pass on - living with gratitude and wonder has given me the power to not have to stay stuck in old paths and beliefs. I have been able to stop doing something that I never thought I could and so can you- this is the power of recovery.
