...Till Death Do Us Part/Death Express...(All Aboard the Quit Smoking Train cont.

The Next Chapter in the Carole Anzolletti series of fictional free verse expressionistic Gothic jive is called appropriately, "...Till Death Do Us Part/Death Express...(All Aboard The Quit Smoking Train Cont.)"

Here we pick up on the tragedy of the previous evening.  Still fresh in the ash of all things avoidable, we encounter a soul struggling to stay out of Death's gaze and pull.  In fact in this segment, we meet many souls.

For most, we never know when Death will come knocking, the question Carol raises here and that I also ask in my book, How To Stop Smoking Without Killing Anyone, is why speed up the inevitable here?  I mean, let's not send this cat Death a friggin invitation and meet him half way to the door...  can you dig on that?

Because, really...  and I've said it before and I'll said it again, smoking really is a passive aggressive form of suicide.  I mean c'mon, it's almost 2012, you know this will kill you and you do it any way?  What is that all about?  Do you have some sort of Death Wish?

It's time to rise up, like a Phoenix, from your own ashes and live!

Think about it...  and stay tuned for more!

All Aboard The Quit Smoking Express!

Go Read This!  All Aboard The Quit Smoking Express! 

Yes, I'm aware there's a slight "conflict of interest in the fact that "quit" is a key word here and I, as you know I am in the "just stop" camp. 

This narrative will capture your imagination and has a nice little twist at the end!

Written by Carole Anzolletti, a regular contributor to HubPages, she weaves a wonderful yarn that will most definitely aid you in your quest to quit or stop, whatever works for you!

Look, if you're looking to get off cigarettes, or stop any bad habit for that matter, then by all means, do so in a creative matter.  The urge to do what you're stopping will generate a tremendous amount of energy.  So, by all means, filter that energy into something positive and release it.  Carole wrote a series on HubPages, I wrote a book, "How To Stop Smoking Without Killing Anyone."

So, dear readers, follow the link above and enjoy!  Then stay tuned here because, I'll be linking up more of these narratives along the way...

How To Stop Smoking Without Killing Anyone Testimonial

When I decided to write and publish a book on How to Stop Smoking, I did it with the intention of empowering people who wanted to stop but couldn't quite get their head around it.  Stopping smoking is a mental game of chess.  Winning that game will not be easy.  It is completely possible and simple as a mater of fact, it's just not easy.  The following testimonial is another success story!  I want you to use this success to know that the only thing holding you back from becoming a non-smoker is you!  You can stop.  If Karen can do it, you can too...

David I wanted you to see what I wrote at Amazon for your book review. I am not a writer.. I would like to think you might approve... here it is...

In 6 years of working on the no smoking game that I have been playing, I have quiet 4 times.... My daughter in law said I need help from a professional, We didn't find one, (only for drugs and alcohol) Then I heard about this book and watched David's video and I was hooked. Couldn't wait to get the book. My parents, husband and I drove to Ga. (book in hand) when I was on week two, You see I can quit, I just can't stay that way, This time was different for me. This was it.. I read the book and it made such sense to me. I would bring the book out and my mother would say "what are you going to write now" or I would read different parts to her and we would discuss it. I can't tell you enough about the book except that I am now on about day 60 and have never made it past 14 days without a puff,even for 6 months. With the help of David's book I have decided that I don't need a cigarette or puff or anything, I am stronger than it is... I thought I loved the love of smoking and David made me realize it was just the brain making me think that. it's not true. No one can love something that is going to kill you... I have read the book three times and get something new from it each time to make me stronger than before. My husband crossed out the word ANYONE and put HUSBAND. it was cute.. I can't even remember what it's like to live a smoke free life, I have had to learn it all new, Like a rebirth if that's what you want to call it. I am 53 years old and have been buying cigarettes since i was 14 years old, my first one at age 12. Nothing to be proud of. But it's a part of my life and I can't take it back or erase it, I can however change my tomorrow and todays. Today I tell myself that I Choose not to SMOKE.. Thank you David for all my years of living you have given to me so I can enjoy my beautiful grand babies.... Karen

Did You Get A Copy of "How To Stop Smoking Without Killing Anyone" for Christmas?

OR!  Are you giving a copy of "How To Stop Smoking Without Killing Anyone" to someone you love for Christmas...  here's what you want to do to add some wood to that fire:

Send them this LINK:  http://youtu.be/NVOZp0FBfWw

This quickie, if you will, will be a message from you on my behalf...  or is that a message from me on your behalf?  Whatever!  You get the point, right?  Send them this link!

What to Get the Smoker In Your Life For Christmas

Is there a smoker in your life?  Are you wondering what to get the cigarette smoker for Christmas?  Is it time they seriously looked at stopping?  Have they tried to quit before?  Here's the perfect gift for them

The Perfect Gift For The Smoker This Christmas

How would like to quit STOP smoking for Christmas?  Watch this video and spread this message!  It could be the best thing you do for the ones you love!

The other fellow’s mistakes are a weak alibi for your own.

Ralph Waldo Emerson said, “It is easy in the world to live after the world’s opinion; it is easy in solitude to live after our own; but the great man is he who in the midst of the crowd keeps with perfect sweetness the independence of solitude.” 

It’s easy when you are part of a group to “go along to get along,” but when you are able to maintain your own highest standards of integrity — regardless of what others may do — you are destined for greatness. When you have developed a carefully thought-out code of personal conduct, you will never have to ask anyone else what the appropriate course of action should be. You will intuitively know.

So this little tid-bit of a morsel popped into my in-box from The Napoleon Hill Foundation and I immediately recognized it as a token of wisdom for those of you still caught in the net of how to kick the habit.  

Especially when all your friends still smoke and have very little interest in you taking the steps necessary to prolong your life.  So stand up and stand out.  If you need help with wrapping your head around the idea of never smoking again, get a copy of my book and in there you will find the secret to understanding exactly how to think in order to finally stop once and for all!

How To Thrive in Traffic Not Just Survive

How To Thrive in Traffic Not Just Survive

For those of who are particularly fond of smoking and driving, here's a few tips and trick to help keep that in check!

How To Stop Cigarette Cravings

How To Stop Cigarette Cravings

In this most recent Hub, David Bradley, author of How To Stop Smoking Without Killing Anyone, examines three powerful and effective techniques to handle cigarette craving anytime and anywhere.

Give it a look over and feel free to comment on the Hub itself.  Always appreciate the feedback!

Andy Whitfield dies of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma: We say farewell to a warrior

Andy Whitfield, who is best known for his role in Spartacus:  Blood & Sand, passed away on Sunday September 11, 2011.  He was just 39 years old.


No, to the best of my knowledge Andy was not a smoker!  Let's just get that part straight and out in the open now.

The reason we're here though paying tribute to him and saying farewell is to make sure we do not allow another casualty of the war on cancer (I refuse to consider this man a victim) to be in vain.

The Los Angeles Times posted an interesting article about Andy and Lymphoma.  Jeannine Stein writes:  


"Lifestyle factors may influence non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, a 2010 study in the journal Cancer found. People with the disease who also drank alcohol, were obese or smoked before they were diagnosed had generally worse survival rates compared with patients without those habits. Patients who had 20 or more years of smoking under their belt had a 76% higher risk of death compared with those who never smoked. And people who were obese had a 32% higher risk of death compared with those of normal weight."

So it's important to recognize here (actually vital) that smoking does not limit your cancer risk to only the obvious or what I like to call, the big three.  Lung cancer (Nat King Cole), throat cancer (Humphry Bogart) and emphysema (Dean Martin) are just the tip of the smoking related cancers iceberg.

Smoking puts you at risk for multiple cancers due to the stress you put on your immune system.  Patrick Swayze admitted that smoking probably "had something to do with" the development of his disease, pancreatic cancer.  Photos taken of a gaunt Swayze in the months before his death showed him continuing to smoke...  so take note smokers, your risk factors increase exponentially with every puff.

Now back to Andy.  We say good by to a warrior.  Not simply because he played Spartacus, but because he fought to the end.  May his fight inspire us to live each day to it's fullest, honor our bodies and cherish each moment we are given.  

While researching his story, I stumbled upon a statement from his wife, Vashti Whitfield which sums it up perfectly.

"On a beautiful sunny Sydney spring morning, surrounded by his family, in the arms of his loving wife, our beautiful young warrior Andy Whitfield lost his 18-month battle with lymphoma cancer. He passed peacefully surrounded by love. Thank you to all his fans whose love and support have help carry him to this point. He will be remembered as the inspiring, courageous and gentle man, father and husband he was."

Rest well mighty Andy, rest well.

I AGREE with Philip Morris Int'l CEO: Tobacco not hard to quit!

"Tobacco's not hard to quit!"  This fantastic relief of information came straight from the gullet of Philip Morris International CEO, Louis Camilleri. 

And...

I AGREE!

(keep reading, it'll be worth it)

Here's the whole quote for the record:

"We take our responsibility very seriously, and I don't think we get enough recognition for the efforts we make to ensure that there is effective worldwide regulation of a product that is harmful and that is addictive. Nevertheless, whilst it is addictive, it is not that hard to quit. ... There are more previous smokers in America today than current smokers."


Now the initial instinct is to use some vulgar words and references to connect his I.Q. with specific parts of his anatomy.  But, clearly a man who got paid over 32 million in 2008, speaks 4 languages and runs a company as big as Phillip Morris International is not a dumb ass.  So, why would he say a terrible thing like that?

Because he's absolutely, 100% correct.  It is not hard to quit smoking.

WHAT?!?!?!!  What an irresponsible thing to say!  How can you say that?  Don't you know there's people out there that have conquered heroin but still can't quit smoking?  What is wrong with you?

I'll tell you what's "wrong" with me and it's all semantics.

There is one very easy way to quit smoking that is not that hard at all.  Let's look at that easy method of quitting right now...

Death.  

This is the simplest method of smoking cessation.  What's especially nice about this method is that there are several options on how to die available to you.  Lung Cancer, Emphysema, Heart Disease, Esophageal Cancer, and the list goes on and on.

If you do not wish to quit smoking using the death method, regardless of how effective it is, there are several additional methods available to you and they are not nearly as effective as death but put forth a good effort.

The reality though and get ready for it because it's a harsh reality to say the least.

DEATH IS THE ONLY REAL METHOD TO QUIT SMOKING!

If you smoke, you're a smoker.  Period.  And you will be a smoker for the rest of your life.  Quitting is not an option because our good buddy, Mr. Camilleri has made it so by altering, spiking, and manipulating the great plant that this country was built on in such a way that for folks like you and I, it's impossible to quit...  unless you die.

Hopeless, yet?

Far from it.  And also the principle key point behind my book, How To Stop Smoking Without Killing Anyone.

You have a wonderful opportunity as a smoker, to embrace who you are fully and be that unique expression of infinity.  Shout it out to the whole world, "I'm a smoker damn it and I'm proud of it!"

Once you're clear with your identity and acknowledge who you really are you can then actually do the impossible.  

 

Which in this case is to....

Not quit necessarily, but...?

That's right!  

STOP SMOKING.  Don't quit?  What's the difference?  

You can't, you won't, it's not going to happen.  

Remember, people are knocking off heroin before they can quit cigarettes.  Mr. Camilleri has done what is necessary to protect the interest of his company and the shareholders by making a product that despite warning labels, huge taxation and blatant, clear cut evidence that this crap will kill you slowly but surely, you still go out and purchase and use anyway.

How do you quit that?  You don't.  Besides, look at all the good stuff it does and goes well with.  You can't quit.  Once a smoker, always a smoker.  

But you can stop!  You stop every time you put one out!  Then you choose to start back up again.  Time and time again.  And for what reason?  

Outside of having a death wish, is there a good reason to light up again?  I mean, like a really good reason?  A lady told me she's not quitting because she's afraid of getting fat.    She's concerned about what quitting will do for her metabolism.  I told her about another weight loss drug on the market that will shed pounds like a chainsaw to a tree...  chemotherapy is a phenomenal way to loos those unwanted pounds!

Get the point?

Look, nobody wants to quit smoking.  So, I say, rather tongue in cheek, don't!  Just stop.  Don't quit.  Either way, the next question is usually a resounding, "HOW?"  

That's where I come in.  You make a $15.89 investment in your health and the rest of your life and I will guide you on a path that for those who chose to walk it, stop smoking and stay stopped with a 100% success rate.

All this for a crummy sales pitch?  Sorry folks.  Look, I stopped in 2002.  Haven't wavered since.  Wobbled a few times, but have not had a cigarette since 2002.  What was my secret?  There wasn't one.  It's decide to stop.  Commit to it and ride it out.  I still think of myself as a smoker because I...  well, read the book, damnit!  

Bottom line, Big Tobacco doesn't have to have a hold on you.  You choose that.  Their job is to make it easy for you to choose that and even want to choose that.  They're very good at that.  Now all you have to do is show them otherwise...

What Are You Waiting For?

"Procrastination is the bad habit of putting off until the day after tomorrow what should have been done the day before yesterday.

For an achiever, perhaps the most dangerous, most destructive habit of all is procrastination, for it robs you of your initiative. When you put things off once, it's easier to put them off again, until the habit is so firmly ingrained that it cannot be easily broken. Sadly, the effects of the habit of procrastination are also cumulative. Its cure is obvious -- action. You'll be surprised how quickly you begin to feel better about yourself and your situation when you get going on something-anything. As British prime minister and author Benjamin Disraeli said, "Action may not always bring happiness; but there is no happiness without action."  

Once again, Napoleon Hill tells it like it is...

 

Stop Smoking with Self Discipline

Self Discipline.  How does self discipline apply to not smoking anymore?

Sounds like a stupid question, doesn't it?  Especially since my book, How To Stop Smoking Without Killing Anyone, is a recipe for how to successfully stop smoking cold turkey.

Well, I wanted to dissect the word and look at it fully under the mental microscope if you will.



Self: 

• a person or thing referred to with respect to complete individuality: one's own self. 
• a person's nature, character, etc.: his better self. 
• personal interest. 
• Philosophy.  a.  the ego; that which knows, remembers, desires, suffers, etc., as contrasted with that known, remembered, etc.  b.  the uniting principle, as a soul, underlying all subjective experience.

Discipline:

• Origin:
  1175–1225; Middle English  < Anglo-French  < Latin disciplīna  instruction, tuition, equivalent to discipul ( us ) 
  • Root word disciple

OK, so what do we have so far?

When you look at the word "self," it is safe to assume that self is, in addition to you, it is also a reflection of who you are and it is also who you believe you are.

Now the word discipline, comes from the word "disciple."  This is an important thing to recognize here because discipline is so often thought of in terms of punishment.  When you look at a dictionary, you'll see words for discipline like:  behavior, order, regimen, and conduct.  These connotations can all have negative undertones.  Discipline usually falls under the category of "I've done something wrong and need to be punished."  Have you ever heard someone say, "I need more discipline in my life."What are they really saying about themselves?

This is where we've been conditioned to look with a word like that.  But what else does discipline mean?

• activity 
• exercise
• improvement of skill 
• training
• a branch of instruction or learning

So when you think about it like that, what is a disciple?  Who has disciples?  Who comes to mind right away?  Jesus, right?  He had 12 disciples.  Meaning these guys followed his teachings and more importantly lived by his teachings.  The key point though is that they were first and foremost, students.

Other people since have had disciples.  Gandhi, for example had/had disciples.  The Dali Lama has disciples.  Bruce Lee has disciples.

What about you?

You need at least one disciple.  You.  You need to be your own disciple.  You should be a student of you.  That is the essence of your humanity.  Self awareness is such a key component to being a human being.  Look at a dog or a cat for example.  They behave as a dog or cat would but lack the ability to truly see themselves through their own eyes.  Have you aver seen a dog ponder their own existence?  In between licking his butt and chasing a car have you ever seen a dog stop and recognize, "I think, therefor I am."  Not going to happen.

The ability to become a disciple of our self is one of the great mysteries that separates from the rest of the animal kingdom.

"KNOW THYSELF"

It appears the Greeks are still debating who's getting credit for this but if I had to pick one personally, I'd like to give it to Socrates.  If for no other reason then I am a fan of Dan Millman.

So for those looking to stop smoking or break any habit, self-discipline is a vital element in achieving the goals you are laying forth.  Since this is a book on how to stop smoking, let's stay on this example.

Let's also stay on the idea that self discipline is more about being a student of yourself then the idea that you need to "discipline" yourself for smoking.

This is what you'll find through out my book.  An opportunity to know yourself well enough to recognize that in your decision to not smoke you will not have to give up any part of who you are.  Deciding to stop smoking is an evolutionary step in your own path of self awareness, self discovery and self actualization.  All synonyms of self discipline.

KNOW THYSELF.

Another good one, this time from Bill.  Shakespeare, that is.

TO THINE OWN SELF BE TRUE.

Do you see the value in knowing yourself well enough to recognize that the habit (smoking in this case) is merely a reflection or an extension of yourself and not actually you?  Now this doesn't mean you get to get away with saying, "But that's not me."  That is irresponsible.  What I am suggesting here is that in order to stop smoking once and for all, you must recognize that the behavior is a reflection (symptom) of your self image and not your actual self.

Once you have a handle on that concept, you then can truly see yourself.  Then you can see yourself not smoking too.  And then once you have that picture in your mind, of you not smoking, you can now wade into the waters of being a smoker who doesn't smoke.  Taking that one day at a time.  Understand you were you before you started smoking and will still be you after you stop.


Yes, there will be a great debate in your body and mind as they have all been tricked into believing that smoking is a part of who you are.  But with real self discipline, you can press on.  I saw an interesting quote while researching this blog and I find it an appropriate way to end this today...  are you ready?  Here you go:

SUFFER THE PAIN OF DISCIPLINE OR SUFFER THE PAIN OF REGRET.

Don't Quit Smoking and Don't Even Stop Smoking For That Matter...

But buy my book anyway.  How To Stop Smoking Without Killing Anyone What?  Yes.  That's right.  I just went there.  But it's not what you think.  I wrote this book because I know I'm not the only one who has stopped and I know that the ordeal of stopping is not a pleasant experience and I also know that quitting is near impossible.  I wrote this book now because I truly want to help the PNS (potential non-smoker - more on this later so keep reading) to finally kick the habit. In the book you'll find out why I never bothered to quit, I simply stopped. 

You too can stop, but only when you make the commitment to do so.  Commitment is a magical thing.  True commitment is what removes the "I" and the "M" from the word impossible.  It's that one thing that flips a switch in your brain and suddenly you focus on something with laser precision.  Can you think of a moment in your life where your own high level of commitment produced a result?  What about an amazing, incredible result?  What was that like for you?  What was the difference between your level of commitment when you really knocked it out of the park verses the time you just got on base or even struck out?

So here's where I'm going with this, because I know you're wondering.  Just because you purchase my book it does not mean you're going to have to quit smoking.  In fact I will encourage you to not quit but instead learn how to stop.  Big difference.  Stranger yet, I will encourage you to smoke while reading it.

I got to thinking about this after an exchange I had on-line with a potential non-smoker (PNS):

PNS on 4/3:  "I'm so scared of not smoking. WTF is that about??  Don't have a clue how to live without it...23yrs. anyway...clearly i need the book. when I get off the ancient phone and to my computer I will order. THANK YOU!"

This prompted my last blog post and then a few days later I get this...

PNS on 4/6:  "Had to postpone my purchase. Biz is slow, but I WILL be buying it!"

ME:  "How much are you "investing" in cigarettes weekly/daily?  Is biz slow enough to where cigarettes are on the budget chopping block?  Think about how much you'll save once you stop..."

PNS:  "....no.  :(   I got nothing else...  No excuse or even anything to rebut with.  You have a huge point." 

So here's what I asked myself.  Is the idea of not smoking so terrifying that it's actually preventing you, the PNS from actually committing the time and money to hit Amazon or my website and hook up on the book?

A pack of cigarettes in Los Angeles is about 5 bucks.  That's .25 cents a cigarette.  My book is 92 pages of whit and wisdom for $15.89.  That's .17 cents a page.  My book costs less then a cigarette!  My book will also help you increase your time on this planet where as a cigarette is more money and also re-leaves you of quality time spent here on Tera Firma.

But then I say to myself, "Self, it's clearly not about the money.  You've been in sales long enough to know it's almost always never price.  Hell, maybe I'm not charging enough!  Maybe people are wondering how $15.89 spent can reverse how ever many thousands of dollars spent on tobacco!  Is my book too cheap?  Maybe I should raise my price...  hmmmmmmmmmmmmm."

Well, don't worry, I'm not going to raise my price just yet...  but what I will do is give you, the PNS, full permission to buy and read my book, How To Stop Smoking Without Killing Anyone and not have to quit or even stop smoking.

Sooner or later you're going to stop.  I hear it all the time.  "I'll quit when I'm ready."  Granted for some, by the time they're ready it's too late, but for many, being ready to quit/stop is something that arrives in due time.  Reading this book will plant a few seeds that will make stopping (in due time) not only easier, but it will solidify the commitment I mentioned earlier.  If you're waiting for the switch to flip, then having read this book prior to the flip will only help keep the switch flipped!  Savvy?

Or perhaps reading the book will flip the switch.  If that happens then the fear is gone.  Commitment, true commitment will over power fear any day of the week. In addition success will become your only option.

Let me know what you think!

Mind Over Matter & Conquering The Fear of Quitting Smoking

Are you afraid to quit smoking?  Recently someone told me that they're scared of not smoking.  So that got me thinking, if there's one, then there's got to be at least a few more gazillion smokers out there who (whether they know it or not) have some fear about quitting. 

So, if you don't have time right now to read this blog in it's entirety, let me give it to you in a nut shell:  being afraid of not smoking is a normal and perfectly reasonable response by your body and your brain who is currently chemically dependent on nicotine.  At this point in time, nicotine is considered and looked upon by your body in the same way as water.  Meaning you got to have it.  That's scary!

Now into the nitty-gritty.  The beauty of your humanity is that we humans have the ability to have a 3rd person experience of ourselves.  Meaning we can "take a look at our self."  Looking at yourself from an outsiders point of view is great because even though our instinct and ego are now convinced that we need cigarettes and nicotine like we need water, we can look at ourselves from a third person perspective and realize that it is not true.  With that knowledge from our higher awareness we can now start to transition our mind into a place of thinking and believing that we don't need to smoke to survive.

Another aspect of smoking is that the cigarette becomes a friend and part of the family.  Smoking very quickly gets ritualized into our daily life.  Cigarette with morning coffee, after work, after a good meal, after good sex, after bad sex, while driving, etc.  You've got your own little smoking rituals that enhance a moment or brings peace to chaos.  The cigarette is your friend and always there when you need it.

The relationship you have with you and your cigarette is also unfortunately an incredibly dysfunctional relationship.  Clearly, this relationship will not end well.  You're slowly killing yourself.  It's an abusive relationship.  Odds are pretty freaking good, you're NOT going to make it to 100 like granny over here.  If you're going to hit 100, you're literally going to have to "break up" with cigarettes. 

So you'll have some common fears.  Fears of being alone, fears of being looked at weird by your peers, fears of failure, etc.  What are your fears?  There are plenty and they are unique to you but they are there none the less.

 

Be strong and go anyway!  How????????????  Simple.  Mind over matter.  Keep in mind, simple does not mean easy.  Case in point, look at Benedikt Magnusson here.  He's going to deadlift 1015 pounds.  Let me say that again, One Thousand And Fifteen Pounds.  How??????  Mind over matter.  Yes, he's competed in  The Worlds Strongest Man and is a professional strong man and power lifter so he is very strong.  But watch how he gets ready for this pull.  See his determination, commitment, focus?  Look at the "crazy" in his eyes.  And then look how gently and smoothly the weight rises off the ground.  He had to conquer the weight in his mind before he could conquer it with his body. 

So goes it for you, the soon to be "smoker who doesn't smoke."  In my book How To Stop Smoking Without Killing Anyone, you will see how it is far better to just stop than to try to quit.  You'll begin to understand how to talk yourself into it and then right on through it.  You'll find out how to kick the habit and not loose one ounce of your identity. 

Finally, you'll begin to recognize that you deserve more and you deserve better. 

The Cost of Smoking

Did you know that in 2007 the cost of a new heart was on average $658,000?  Just over half a million for a new ticker!

Single Lung:  $400,000
Both Lungs:  $550,00

Clearly we have some sort of volume discount, bringing the cost down to 275 large per lung.



Sources:

http://www.ehow.com/about_4673173_much-does-heart-transplant-cost.html
http://www.ehow.com/about_4673807_much-does-lung-transplant-cost.html

How To Stop Smoking Without Killing Anyone Gets A Video Review!

In this video, Jerad Spencer talks about what he got from my book, How To Stop Smoking Without Killing Anyone.

This is huge for me and deeply appreciated! 








Copies are available on my website http://www.stopdontquit.com/, here on the blog or at Amazon. 

Autographed Copy of How To Stop Smoking Without Killing Anyone

http://www.stopdontquit.com/ The Book is "How To Stop Smoking Without Killing Anyone" by David R Bradley. A signed copy is available, here's to get one! David's book is a no nonsense approach to kicking the habit. In the book, David will get you the right frame of mind, empower you, energize you and entertain you all the way to finally having the courage to stop smoking once and for all. Get your copy today!

How To Stop Smoking: My Book Does Not Stink!

How To Stop Smoking Without Killing Anyone is ultimately a "self-help" book.  It is written for people who are looking to stop smoking or have already stopped smoking.  If you've already stopped, this book will help you solidify your decision.  If you're trying to stop smoking, this book will help you get from trying to stop smoking to having stopped smoking. 

Recently, an article was posted in Yahoo finance called "Why Most Self-Help Book Stink (And a Few That Don't)"  Written by Laura Vanderkam, she spoke with Christine Whelan, a literal student of the Self-Help genre, and together they take a look at 3 reasons, self-help books stink.  Let's look at these 3 reasons and see how they fair against my self-help book,  How To Stop Smoking Without Killing Anyone.


"1. The "real people" are made up. Anecdotes are great for illustrating a point. So we learn that "Bob" and "Jane" learned to communicate well and now their marriage is all better! Um, yeah. Real life is messy, and using composite characters, or those with the details changed, are just other words for fiction. Which has its place, but is always suspect in a genre that claims to be true."

-So this is great news for me.  My book is about you the reader and me the writer.  I'm not made up and neither are you.  Everything I talk about is genuinely from my own experience, research and mind.  

"2. They promise that change is easy. "We want three easy steps to overhaul our financial life, or washboard abs in 60 seconds a day," Whelan says. "But here's the unpleasant truth: Behavioral change is among the hardest things we can set out to do, and any book that promises you instant changes is selling you snake oil." Put it this way. If changing our lives was painless, you'd see a lot more svelte, rich and happy people walking around."

-Again, more good news.  There are books out there that claim that there is an easy way to quit smoking.   So let me immediately get a few things straight.  Before you decide to buy and read my book, understand this:  THERE IS NO EASY WAY TO QUIT SMOKING.  "Quitting" is almost damn near impossible and stopping flat out sucks.  No where in this book will I promise or even elude to stopping being easy.  It's a very simple process, but definitely, no way, no how, not easy.  Anyone who tries to convince you that it's easy to stop a physical and emotional addiction is trying to get you to buy their product and not very interested in whether or not you actually use the product.  My book was written to help people stop smoking, extend their lives and enhance the quality there of.  You will laugh, cry, get mad, have a positive experience and (should you decide to follow the teachings of my book) stop smoking for good.

"3. There's probably no evidence. Most self-help writers aren't in the business of documenting whether their ideas work for the majority of people who try them. "There's no efficacy data on the vast majority of diet self-help books," Whelan says. "Who knows if positive thinking actually cures people. But self-help books use rhetoric and repetition to prove their points."

-How To Stop Smoking Without Killing Anyone advocates that you stop smoking old school.  Stop cold turkey.  Why cold turkey?  Well, for one, that's how I did it.  Secondly, when you go cold turkey you have to face your addiction head on.  Gum, patch, drugs all help but what they also do is prolong the inevitable which is getting off nicotine or what ever other chemical you just ingested to replace the feelings of nicotine.  Sooner or later you'll have to go cold turkey, so I say jump in the pool with both feet right into the deep end and learn to swim.  Now is this the most effective method to stop?  Up to 88% of people who stop and stay stopped did it cold turkey, but don't take my word for it...  please, look it up if you need to.  Even the guy who wrote the book I blasted earlier is a Cold Turkey advocate.  I just don't want to deceive you or have you read my book and then on day 2 of being off the nicotine, while you're trying not to pull out anymore of your left eyebrow go, "but the book said this would be easy!"

Should you decide to buy and read my book, do so at your own risk and know that there will be straight talk, tough love, good humor and a plan for you to kick the habit once and for all.

Let me know what you think!

Whoopi Gets A Copy Of How To Stop Smoking Without Killing Anyone

Whoopi Gets A Copy Of How To Stop Smoking Without Killing Anyone

Smoke Your Mind and Napoleon Hill Wisdom

In my book, How To Stop Smoking Without Killing Anyone, I talk about one of the motivating factors for me to stop smoking. It came when I realized I was out of control. There comes a time after about 6 and half hours or so without a cigarette when you realize that if you don't have a cigarette and like right now, someone very well might get hurt. Granted I am slightly exaggerating but the nic-fit is real.

It soon began to bother me to be under Big-Tobacco's spell so powerfully. I got started smoking as a way to separate myself from others, to flaunt and solidify my identity. Or at least so I thought. The reality was in no time instead of being the individual I wanted to be I was just like everyone else... hooked. Smoking lost it's romance for me and it was time to kick the habit.

I thought of this moment in my life in late 2001 when I realized smoking wasn't all it's cracked up to be... or rather, it's more like crack than you think. I thought of this moment when I saw this quote from Napoleon Hill

"Control your own mind, and you may never be controlled by the mind of another.

The mind is the most powerful weapon known to man. It simply cannot be controlled or contained by an outside force, however formidable that force may at first appear. Throughout history, tyrants have tried to control those who opposed them, but eventually these rulers discovered the power of the imagination was far greater than the threat of the sword. As Victor Hugo said, "An invasion of armies can be resisted, but not an idea whose time has come."

Big Tobacco, like any good drug dealer has control of your mind and directs your thoughts towards one more cigarette. It is with this mind, such a powerful weapon indeed, that you will conquer your addiction to nicotine and cigarettes.

Your mind is the best tool for meeting the challenge to stop smoking. You can use a patch, chew the gum, tinker with water vapor cigarettes, and any other nicotine delivery device you can think of, but sooner or later it will boil down to you making a conscious decision with your mind to not light up.


I used my mind to stop smoking and you can to.  In fact, you will have to.  My mission now it to get my book into the hands of 5000 smokers who want to be non smokers.  


So if you found this blog and you're still smoking, or you think you've quit but feel yourself wavering and loosing control, consider this, I, like you, struggled through the process and found a way to not only stop, but stay stopped.  Perhaps destiny or God brought you here and perhaps you should give this book a read.  I will leave it up to you of course, but deciding to finally stop once and for all could very well be the best decision you've ever made...  next to deciding to get a copy of my book!

Smoked Salmon Another Reason to Stop Smoking

Smoked Salmon Another Reason to Stop Smoking

Another Hub from above that I've written to inspire and encourage smokers to knock off the smoking habit once and for all.  I found a way and you can too!  Take a look at the video to promote the Hub too...


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vflXTR-EzbQ

Then let me know what you think!

Smoking Legends Lost Too Soon Part One: Humphrey Bogart

Humphrey Bogart.  As an teenager reaching towards manhood, I discovered Bogie.  As a child I remember hearing of him, seeing Bugs Bunny imitate him and Elmer Fudd playing his waiter but it wasn't until I developed this blooming curiosity for all things 1920's to 1940's that the real fascination fired up.

In my book, How To Stop Smoking Without Killing Anyone, I touch on the impact Bogie had on me and my life and most importantly, my decision to be a smoker.  It worked out quite well.  Bogie was the man, I wanted to be the man, the man smokes, therefor, so should I...  right?

Never mind the fact that "The Man" died of esophageal cancer just 20 days after he turned 57 years young.  The cancer had withered my idol down to 80 pounds.  Yes, 80 pounds.

The picture at the top is of Bogie at a young and youthful age.  Born on December 25, 1899, Humphrey DeForest Bogart rose to stardom and then to legend.  Now, immortal, due to films like Casablanca, The Maltese Falcon, The Big Sleep, To Have and Have Not, The African Queen, Key Largo and many more, Humphrey Bogart became an icon to millions.  Including myself.

Bogie was hard.  Strong.  Witty.  Me?  I was...  well maybe witty.  On a good day.  I remember studying how he smoked.  How he held the cigarette, how he took a drag, how he lit it, every little nuance.  I loved how he stood, the way he would glare. 

Then there the cars, the clothes, the nightlife.  I had definitely found a connection and an affinity for all things 1920's to 1950's.  There in those eras existed a certain glamor that is long gone.  A romance the is somehow missing from modern life.  My love affair with Americana blossomed thanks to Humphrey Bogart.

When I decided to stop I looked at how Bogart died.  It was one of those harsh realities that was waiting in the wings.  His esophagus was removed, a few lymph nodes, and even a rib.  But it was too late.  The cancer had spread.  For Bogart, it was a matter of "if" anymore, it was a matter of "when." 

Having witnessed first hand the withering affects of cancer first hand, my mother passed away in 1998 from cancer, and my aunt passed later the same year, I quickly put two and two together.  Bogart's smoking and drinking lead to throat cancer and he had withered to 80 pounds of his former self before he died.

The reality of death is one of those things that is very hard to look at, but when you do, it can also be quite liberating.  We're all going to die sooner or later.  Me?  I choose to do it as later as possible and I'm not all that interested in withering down to 80 pounds of my former self nor do I want to die in intense pain. 

The tragedy of Bogart's death is that it hasn't been used to the fullest to educate people...  actually, no.  Never mind.  Sometimes I forget that tobacco, cigarettes and nicotine are as powerfully addicting as heroin and most addicts need to find their own way home or die trying. 

Bogart has inspired me in life and in death and continues to teach me from beyond the grave what it means to be a man.  His strengths far outweighed his weakness.  He is a teacher.  When you look at his body of work, what he stood for, how he lived and how he died, you are left, as always with Bogie, wanting more.  That is the real tragedy.  Gone too soon.  I know for me, that his tragic untimely death will not be in vein as I have stopped smoking and will never again pick up the habit. 

And now, I find it vital to spread the word to all that it's time you too kicked the habit...  schweet hart.

Take possession of your own mind...

"...and you may soon make life pay off on your terms.

Your mind is unquestionably your most valuable possession. You may lose every material thing you own, but knowledge can never be taken from you. With it, you can earn a new fortune, build a new home, and buy anything you truly desire. No one else can control your thoughts; even the cruelest tyrant cannot force you to think about something you refuse to accept. When you make a deliberate decision to take control of your mind and feed it positive, constructive thoughts, you are on your way to taking control of your life. The thoughts you allow to dominate your mind will determine what you will get from life. "

You might even be able to stop smoking!  Once again, applicable wisdom in my in-box from the Napoleon Hill Foundation...

Stop Don't Quit: Take My Breath Away

Another Gem From Napoleon Hill

Your Job Will Never Be Any Bigger 

Than Your Imagination Makes It
 
Daniel Burnham, the turn-of-the-century architect and civic planner whose plan for the 1893 Chicago World's Fair had an enormous influence on contemporary civic design, was quoted as saying, "Make no little plans." He knew that to achieve great things we must have grand ideas. If you can imagine it, you can create it. And if you can create in your imagination the job that you would like to have, it is possible to create it in the real world.

OK people, what does this have to do with not sucking on coffin nails?

How to Stop Smoking Without Killing Anyone Arrives at The White House

Label/Receipt Number: 0310 1230 0001 5659 8314
Expected Delivery Date: February 4, 2011
Class: Priority Mail^®
Service(s): Delivery Confirmation^™
Status: Delivered

Your item was delivered at 4:14 am on February 11, 2011 in WASHINGTON, DC 20500

Michelle Obama confirms president has quit smoking

Inspiration:

http://news.yahoo.com/s/yblog_theticket/20110208/ts_yblog_theticket/michelle-obama-confirms-president-has-quit-smoking

Rant:

OK, so for those of you playing at home, I have sent two copies of my book, How To Stop Smoking Without Killing Anyone to the White House.  Yes, the White House.  In it was one copy for Obama and another for Senator and House Speaker, John Boehenr.

I sent it Delivery Confirmation and here's where we're at so far:

"We attempted to deliver your item at 11:20 am on February 06, 2011 in WASHINGTON, DC 20500 and a notice was left because an authorized recipient was not available. You may arrange redelivery by visiting www.usps.com/redelivery or calling 800-ASK-USPS, or may pick up the item at the Post Office indicated on the notice. If this item is unclaimed after 15 days then it will be returned to the sender. Information, if available, is updated periodically throughout the day. Please check again later."

I've been "checking back later" all week now and getting this same message.  And now I'm smacked with this article from Yahoo.

"Michelle Obama confirms president has quit smoking"

Son-of-a...!!!  Now does this mean all hope is lost?  No way, because even though the title is interesting enough to get people to read it, it's the meat and potatoes of the article that is most valuable.  The best part is the comment from recipient number two, John Boehner which I'll get to in a minute.


Has Obama actually quit?  Well, I hope not.  That makes more since when you've read my book.  Clearly, here you'll see a prime example of someone who's trying to quit (which I contend is impossible to do so don't bother trying) and consistently falls off the wagon.


"Have I fallen off the wagon sometimes? Yes," Obama said in June 2009. "Am I a daily smoker, a constant smoker? No."


Now check out Robert Gibbs!

"This past December, White House press secretary Robert Gibbs said he hadn't witnessed Obama smoke in nine months, but didn't confirm outright whether the president had quit."

So does that mean Obama was seen running into the bushes behind the White House and came back with a distinct odor?  Who knows really.  Hell, if people are still leery about JFK and the moon landing, then you can pretty much bet the farm on Obama reaching across the aisle to bum a smoke off of Boehner once and a while.

And speaking of Boehner...

"Tobacco is a legal product in America," Boehner told CBS in an interview. "The American people have a right to decide for themselves whether they want to partake or not. There are lots of things that we deal with and come in contact with every day--from alcohol to food to cigarettes--a lot of the things that aren't good for our health. But the American people ought to have the right to make those decisions on their own."

A-F#$%&-ing Men Brother!

Preach the word, my man.  This, I'm sure is exactly what George Washington and the rest of the founding fathers had in mind when they formed this great nation.  The freedom to destroy ourselves any way we see fit!

"It's something that I choose to do, and you know at some point, maybe I'll decide I've had enough of it," What point will that be specifically?  When you get winded going from your bed to the bathroom?  When your phlegm has this brownish red tint?  When there's a lump in your throat and your NOT about to cry?

Should tobacco be legal?  Yes.  But I'm also for legalizing marijuana too.  Tobacco isn't the issue.  Neither is Pot, Jack Daniel's or McDonalds.  All addictive toxic substances.  The Guv-a-mint does not need to involve themselves with individual rights when it comes to the freedom of choosing what goes into it's citizens body.  This is about you, not the Gov.

You, the citizen have the right to smoke.  Doesn't mean you should.  You have the right to jump off a cliff too.  Doesn't mean it's a good idea.

JUST STOP!  DON'T QUIT!  STOP!  See the difference?  No?  Buy my book!  Obama, read my book!  Please!  Then shove the other copy in Boehner's hand and make him read it.  Here we have the leader of the free world and if said leader goes down and takes Biden with him, then Boehner's the leader of the free world!  These men have an example to set and a message to deliver to the country, the free world and most importantly the people that look up to these men as leaders, the kids.

What message is that?

That even in a nation of freedom, opportunity and choice, I the individual choose to not smoke, I choose to respect and honor the body God gave me for this magnificent journey, and I choose to keep myself at a level of conditioning that will allow me to defend this great nation on a moments notice.

So, we'll keep checking at USPS.com.  If you too want to track the package, the number is:

0310 1230 0001 5659 8314

Hopefully, if Obama has quit or stopped, then reading my book will only solidify his decision and God willing Boehner will get it.  And when I say get it, I don't just mean my book.

Obama and Boehner ALMOST get copies of my book...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JrYv-i6IsnQ

Click here for the update...  more to come.

An open letter to all

BELOW IS AN EMAIL I SENT.  NOW, HERE ON THE BLOG, I ASK YOU TO DO WITH IT AS YOU SEE FIT.

Dear Friends and Family,

I trust most of you know, I have written my first book.  How To Stop Smoking Without Killing Anyone.  In this book are the tools, tricks, actions, and behaviors that were vital in helping me kick the habit in 2002.  It chronicles my story and experience as a smoker becoming a non-smoker.  How To Stop Smoking Without Killing Anyone, then shows how anyone can use the same tools and techniques I used to stop smoking to successfully stop themselves.

Why are you receiving this email?

In a nutshell, I need your help.

As I started 2011, I set a goal for myself to sell 5000 copies of this book by or before 12/31/11.  I picked that number because I read somewhere that most books that get published never sell more than 5000 copies.  "Well, not me" I thought!  "I'll sell 5000 in a year!"  Puffed up chest and all!

As time went on, I started blogging more and more about not smoking.  I continued doing more and more research into smoking, addiction, getting "clean" and seeing the consequences of smoking and smoking addiction.  Suddenly my goal began to change.  Actually, it began to evolve.  I started this book with the intention to share my story, have a few laughs and hopefully make some money.

Things have changed for me.

I still want to share my story and I definitely want to have a few laughs.  But putting all of that aside for a second, what I really want to do is to empower smokers.  5000 to be exact.  5000 this year to be more specific.  I want to empower smokes to stop smoking.  Cigarettes are a cruel bitter sweet dysfunctional relationship that will eventually lead to checking out of this life way sooner than necessary.   Cigarettes in my opinion are a passive aggressive form of suicide and if that's too "heavy" for you than at least acknowledge that if you're smoking daily, you're self medicating for something.

I genuinely want to help others stop.  Smokers need healing, tough love, and motivation.  It's time to kick the habit.  It's time to love yourself a little more than you did yesterday and it's time to pass this email forward.

That's what I need your help with.  You can breathe easy, there will be NO pass this on or else curse!

Do you know a smoker?  Do you know someone who knows a smoker?  Is there a loved one in your life that needs this book? 

I'm looking to get 5000 people this year to make a small investment in the quality of the rest of their lives.  How To Stop Smoking Without Killing Anyone, is not preachy.  There will be a few in your face moments, but keep in mind, I bill myself as a smoker who doesn't smoke.  If you're a smoker, know that I speak your language and this book is for you.  Know that you don't have to give up any part of yourself or your identity to stop smoking. 

My father wrote something interesting in the forward of the book that says we all "smoke" something.  So for those of you non-smokers with a habit that needs kicking, this book may come in handy as well...

So, if you're receiving this email, know that all I'm asking you to do is forward this on to the people you know who may benefit from reading this book.  I think it goes without saying you're welcome to get a copy for yourself, but what's most important to me right now is to find a way to get my book between the fingers of 5000 smokers this year.   Then, I want those 5000 smokers to accept my challenge to "stop, but don't quit."

Thank you for taking the time to read this and a double thank you in advance for deciding to help me help others...

Sincerely,

David R. Bradley 
THE WEBSITE:  http://www.stopdontquit.com/