It is pretty funny, people often try to reflect on when and why they started smoking as if thinking that it would answer the daunting question of why they continue to smoke. In reality, the reason you start and the reason you continue are not the same.
Some people start because of peer pressure. But in society today, if peer pressure was going to be the influencing factor, it would be making people quit smoking not continue.
Some people took up smoking to look older and more mature. How many people here in their 30's, 40's, 50's or 60's or beyond want to do everything in their power to look older than they do already.
Others take up smoking out of being rebellious. Their parents, teachers, doctors and other adults told them they couldn't smoke. So to show them who was in control, they smoked anyway. Well, how many 60-year-old smokers are there who are smoking today so they could snub their nose at their 80 to 90 year old parents saying, "you see, you can't tell me not to smoke."
People start for a few reasons, but they continue for one--they became drug addicts, the drug--nicotine. It is interesting though because the same thing happens when the smoker quits. The initial reason some people quit often become secondary in importance to reasons they eventually stay off.
Some people quit to make others happy, or because of non-smoking policies issued at a place of employment. But after quitting, they find they feel better than ever, are calmer, have more energy, have more money, are overall happier and in more control of his or her own life. Well now the reason for staying off may have little bearing on the initial quit reason. In many ways they are better reasons and more lasting. Or, some people who quit for medical risks alone start to realize that not smoking is just a nicer way of life. Sometimes the quality of life becomes more important to them than the concept of length of life.
Whatever your initial reason for quitting was, it is still valid. On top of that the are numerous benefits you may have noticed and some you haven't even thought of yet which are still to be noticed. Some you will never think of but are real anyway. Keep focused on every good reason not to smoke. This becomes your ammunition to stay the course, to ride out those annoying craves and urges that pop out of nowhere.
Whether or not you ever accurately remember why you started to smoke, as long as you remember why you quit and why you stay off you will keep your resolve strong to never take another puff.
Joel
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