My name is a Tommy. I am a cigarette addict.

And simple as that, I quit. Once it was taught to me, in a way that sunk and stuck, that it's only natural to have cravings you idiot, you're an addict, and that's what addicts do, they have cravings. You're not weak. You're not even defective. Your an addict.


As simple as that, I quit. After it finally took hold in my proud skull that I can't beat cigarettes. That's not an option. No matter what I do from here out, it doesn't matter if I never smoke again or if I start back up tomorrow, I will always, no matter what, and it's completely beyond my control, like my eye color, it's not like I have an option in the matter, and this is the most freeing sensation, to simply know that I will always be a cigarette addict.


And simple as that, I quit. Two months now. My god I've been tested, in all the ways that I failed before, in the 20 or so times that I've

"tried" to quit. I had no shot then, because I was trying to do something that was impossible. I was trying to become someone who is not a cigarette addict.


Now, here's the clincher. And you have to be an addict to realize how true it is. The most beautiful revelation. Again, taught to me, recently. There are two ways to make a cigarette craving go away. One way is to smoke. The other way is to not smoke. Either way, in moments, the craving passes.


As planets go, it's a good one, Earth is.


Tommy

smoking is compulsive

gambling is compulsive

to some, even sex is compulsive


not sure about posting on forums????


anyway, do you plan to abandon any other compulsion since you have now done one???

keep it up(quitting)..when i quit 2 pack+/day habit, i put an open pack of cigarets on the dresser, and every morning said "i am tuffer than you, i've cracked every cold deck that's ever been dealt", and just said no matter what, i won't have a cigaret that day. cravings not there after about 5 years..gl

First time I tried to quit was 68. After many tries I'm half way into my 3rd yr clean.


Your attitude seems good.


The cravings do pass.


Good Luck.

Tommy - I sense a little philosophical attitude in that post that I found a bit refreshing. You should read some Spinoza or Epicurus. Of couse, do not let that detract from poker or the addiction that you have finially accepted.


The earth is a good planet? You are becoming Panglossian.


Zeno

so, you apparently know a bit about philosophy, historically and conceptually. tell me, do you have formal training in this field? or have you just read a whole lot? i have been out of school for a while (i didn't have the $$ to finish) and never even REALLY got started on my philosophy degree. im just curious on your thoughts about the study of philosophy and where and how to go about doing so. im looking to get back into school in the fall. im looking at going to University of Illinois at Chicago. ive heard and read good things about their program and they are relatively cheap, being a state school and all. but im not sure that that is the place to be.


just soliciting your thoughts...


baggins

Go for it. Nothing, not even poker can improve you like the study of philosophy. That is if youre the kind of person who can grab the bull by the horns. In my little old department at Mississippi State you can tell the philosophers from the future lawyers (sophists). The future lawyers come to class, say nothing, and leave. The philosophers stand at the union, or the philosophy department, or the local coffie shop and argue with each other. Sometimes just for the fun of it, but mostly trying to reach some synthesys. Either way you will gain something, but guess which one gains more.


Be warned however, if you actually study philosophy you will walk away with precious few answers, and many more questions.

I used to argue with the professor in class or other philosophy students outside of class and became a lawyer anyway. I guess I hated the idea of either getting a PhD or working at a pool hall, so I chose the middle course.


I'd say go back to school regardless. If you like philosophy do it. If you like something else better do that. There's always law school to make money if you don't like anything else. :-)

What I ment to refer to were those students who just view philosophy as one way to a degree so they can enter law school, but have no wish to engage in philosophy as an activity.


However i still stand behind lawyer = sophist

i know what you mean about telling the difference. along with some other phil. classes i took an intro course (intro to aesthetics). it was like being in high school. you hear the gears in their brains just starting to crank, and get so excited when an original (if flawed) thought would squeak out of their heads. while most of the discussions were the 2 phil. majors in the class talking, and then the teacher trying bring the rest of the class through the discussion with us. it was fun though. i liked my ancient and medieval phil. class better though. i liked arguing aristotle with the proffessor. too bad i stopped going...


i have decided to get back into it, and for lack of a better place to do it, i think i am going to try to enroll in University of Illinois Chicago for the fall.


oooohhh. and i love kierkegaard. what a guy!!