I have smoked without any serious smoking cessation since the age of 15 until January 14/15 of this year. 

In 2004 and 2005 I suffered from bouts of pneumonia which became antibiotic resistant and took months to get rid of.  I still smoked during these time---when I was awake. 

So, during my second bout of pneumonia I attempted to stop smoking.  My job was eliminated in November of '05 while I was home attempting to beat the second round of drug resistant pneumonia.  I had hours to think of how I was enslaved to my pack of cigarettes.  This made me angry and I waged war against my pack a day habit by reducing my daily "fix".  I knew I needed to do more--so the 'Warrior' in me -- set a date --- called NYS Quitter's hotline and was eligible for the free nicotine patches and support.

I told a few folks -- especially my daughter who is a smoker -- "I am going to stop smoking."  Sounded it good---felt good about my decision and began preparing for the big "Q" (Quit) day.  Reducing my daily "fix" from a pack to 10 cigarettes didn't really disrupt my habit's hold on me. 

Allowing the reasons to mount in my mind and on paper for not smoking increased as the "Q" day rapidly approached.  Yet, my mind was starting to betray me--the "rational" side was pumping in thoughts --- "You can continue to smoke, just reduce" -- "This little cigarette can't hold you hostage" --- "You are stronger and bigger than this habit"-- "After all you aren't being physically affected by smoking"--"Without smoking you are apt to strangle someone", et al.  As I examined these "rational thoughts", I found my "rational" mind had been seduced by "irrational" mind. 

It was now time to get the Commander in Chief involved in this war--I began to talk to GOD more-- not just praying---repeating in my mind the verses I knew which would build me up.  After all this habit surely wasn't bigger than my faith in GOD.  Hmmm---faith my condemning side was challenging--as the Warrior in me took a stand on all fronts, I slapped on the patch and QUIT.