NOTE: I wrote this short post in 2017. Since then, I have become aware of some comments made by J K Rowling that are disrespectful to transgender individuals. That’s a big deal to me! I vehemently disagree with her position on trans rights, AND (not but) I also love some of her novels. I think […]
Guilt and shame are NOT the same, at least in my opinion (humble or otherwise.) So, to be clear, I am not even consulting a dictionary on this one. We all have a real internalized understanding of these two words. We know – in our gut – what they feel like. I’d like to challenge
Here’s a quote that makes me feel good. “What do we live for if not to make life less difficult for each other?” – George Eliot It makes me feel hopeful. Hope feels good. But I suspect that it also makes me feel good because if I’m thinking about making things less difficult for others,
What Do We Live For? Read More »
Remembering our WHY can help us get back on track or stay on track in pursuit of recovery. Every person’s WHY is as unique as they are, of course. But understanding the different kinds of WHYs may be helpful because not all WHYs are created equal. Yes, there are different kinds of motivators to quit
Disclaimer: To be clear, I’m not a doctor and I’m not trying to diagnose anyone. I just want to encourage folks to seek the help they need. One of my compassionate colleagues sent out a reminder about Seasonal Affective Disorder and it seemed perfectly timed. So BIG thanks to Danielle D’Addamio, PT, DPT! As the
My name is Marion. I have been a lifelong smoker on and off. I’ve had years at a time of abstinence, but always, eventually, go back to smoking. Each time it gets harder to quit and easier to start again. After 5 years of not smoking someone left an unlit cigarette on a table at
My name is George and I am an ex-smoker since July 20, 2020. This is my story. I started smoking at the young age of 12 years old, thinking it was a cool thing to do. Eventually I became a full-time, heavy smoker in my late teens and continued smoking for about 50 years. I
To be clear, I don’t own this music or the rights to it. It’s just a great song by Earth , Wind & Fire that seems kinda perfect for TODAY! Movin’ and Groovin’ It’s one of those songs that just makes you want to move! The cool September mornings might have you thinking about going
What to Expect and What to Do For folks addicted to nicotine in any of its forms, stopping means you will encounter some withdrawal symptoms. However, these symptoms can vary widely from person to person. The discomfort caused may not be directly related to the amount of nicotine you’ve been using or the length of
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According to Mark Twain or Agatha Christie (depending upon who you believe actually said it) “the secret to getting ahead is getting started.” And while the authorship of the quote may be contested, there is no question to its truth. The first step is often the hardest and always required for those who will grow
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Life isn’t always fair, so I’m certain that somebody has judged you unfairly. And while it may be appealing to say or think, “they have no right to say that about me,” what they say or think is really none of our business. People have the right to be wrong – certainly in their thoughts
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I hear that fairly often. Typically it’s a health concern that brings a person to a place where they accept that they should quit smoking (vaping, drinking excessively, or using other substances.) But they really don’t want to quit because they “like it!” I’m not sure that anyone actually likes sucking toxic soot into their
But I LIKE smoking! Read More »
(Special thanks to Thadryan* for the illustrations!) Reminiscent of Dr. Seuss, a little rhyme might be of use For those quitting cigarettes (perhaps vaping or snus.)If you want to change, go ahead and read it. There’s help right here, for those who’ll heed it! If you’re in the mood for some silly rhyme, I think
MENders is an open concept support group for anyone who identifies as male. Our original, in-person meetings were located in Central Massachusetts. We migrated meetings onto virtual platforms in order to continue to provide support during the pandemic. MENders values and protects the privacy of all participants. We’ve created a safe, confidential space where all
Right up front, here’s my disclaimer: I don’t own the rights to this music or this video, BUT I can’t help but share a 45 year old song that holds up so well! And this song may not have musical, magical (almost medicinal) benefits for you, but it brings a smile to my face every
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