Back on the Wagon Again (and Again)

It doesn't take much to start, or stop. It's probably why it's so hard.

Yes, we are talking once again about cigarettes.

And, this is not some New Year's Resolution to make, only to fall off a few weeks in and say, "there's always next year." It's , as for already knows.

But, we're not the only ones with this stinky, tar-filled monkey on our backs. So, with nicotine patches firmly affixed, nicotine gum chewed (and parked after every few chews), or whatever your method, here are five tips–both suggested by others and used with varying success by ourselves in the past–to hopefully help you (and, us) stay on the non-smoking path.

1. You Need to Know About Support: There are plenty of ways to find this. Talk to a friend. Talk to family. We joined a smoking cessation group at late last year, where a man (not us) who had smoked two packs of smokes a day for decades was the head-and-tails standout of the group. It doesn't always work, but then again, anything worth fighting for doesn't always get accomplished on the first (second? Third? Hundredth?) try.
2. You Need to Know About Triggers: If your trigger is booze, oh man, Morristown is a tough place to be living. If you're a social butterfly, or your job precludes you to a boozy environment, this can be a difficult restriction. But, speaking from experience, a break from libations can definitely help keep you on track.
3. You Need to Know About 'the Sheet:' What? Did you ever see I -Heart- Huckabees? Short version: Dustin Hoffman has this sheet that he says comprises everything, and we mean everything, in existence. Which means everything is connected, whether you're on one end of the sheet of existence or the other. The same thing applies to your body and mind. When getting fit, that energy you produce not only comes from doing your body good, but from the high one gets knowing they're doing their body good. It's all connected. So, do some situps or go to the gym. If neither of those are possible right now, go for a walk, if you can.
4. You Need to Know About 'the Sheet' 2, Electric Boogaloo: More on the mind side of that comparison. There are plenty of ways right here in Morristown to work on it. Whether it's taking in a nice show at the or meditating with , options abound as long as one looks for them. Also, music helps. We suggest Patrick O'Hearn.
5. You Need to Know About Falling Off the Wagon: Even in the most determined of attempts, we (and, yes, we speak as extreme experts) still may very well fall off. And, we get back on. And, if we fall off, we get back on. And, so on. Patience may not seem eternal, but like we said above, anything worth fighting for doesn't always get accomplished on the 695th try. But, what about the 696th?