“Who said that the word “discipline” only applies to children?”, that’s what I said to myself right after I took my lungs out of danger. I first experienced smoking back when I was employed in Makati. Colleagues’ influence. But I never blamed it on them, it was my own decision to ride on their vices. Until I reached Bahrain – the place where no one could monitor me but myself. It has become a habit–a daily habit.
Since Derrick, my husband was also a heavy smoker, he couldn’t stop me. Besides he thought that a person should not stop one from doing the same thing, it has to be your own decision to quit, if that’s what you really want to do. So it was like “if you can’t stop her, join her and vice versa” sort of thing for us. I now confess. I smoked for 6 consecutive years like there was no tomorrow. My friends were telling me to stop. Can’t blame them, they were just concerned about my health. Many peopled dared. But no one among them succeeded, not even my parents who once caught me. No one, except for my little boss.
Two weeks before I learned I was pregnant, I had this feeling that I should stop. For what reason, I still didn’t know at that moment. Ten days after I missed my period, I had a self pregnancy test. Two strips appeared. That’s when I decided to quit, completely. Until this day, I’m proud to say that I am a successful “nicotine” quitter. “No” and “I can’t” are not the right words to use every time you think about quitting. It takes courage and discipline to succeed. I did it because that’s what I’ve been wanting to do. I did it for myself. And most of all, I did it for baby love.
Note : Article contributed for Pinoy Moms Network on 27 December 2007.
That’s absolutely good for you sis!!! Congrats!
pinaymama’s last blog post..Adapting the New Things/Surroundings
Thanks Joy!