The year of 2007 was closing quickly ~~my 51st birthday thereafter and I still smoking. In my mind after the first of the new year ~~seductively I toyed with the "I am going to quit smoking.". I began to go longer without a cigarette, pinpointing the "needed" cigarettes ~~making notes of the triggers that sought and obtained cigarettes. The guy with on crutches commercial played in my mind as well on the television.

January 7th, 2008 ~~51 years old and still a smoker ~~an addict. I randomly increased the reasons why I needed to stop. I prayed more and ‘saw' so of the plans GOD has for my life.

Yep! I was going to stop smoking and as I sowed this thought firmly in my mind ~~my desire to smoke decreased. Smoking only when needed I became ‘dizzy' after I did. Whew!

On January 12, I brought the patch on sale for $39.99 at CVS. The next night I brought a pack of cigarettes at CVS. The cashier asked, ‘had I not just the night before brought the patch'. I felt ashamed ~~I felt an addict ~~I defended my action by telling her this was last pack of cigarettes and I had to set a date. Still, I felt ashamed and as if committing a crime.

On January 13th just before midnight I smoked the last cigarette out of the pack I had earlier. I talked to GOD and expressed my desire to be smoke free ~~to live in HIS plan ~~not mine. All the thoughts I had secretly stored away were assembled. The Warrior in me rode to the front of these thoughts and called out the president of the INCNC and slapped the taste of its doctrine.

January 14 my body began to feel the affects of nicotine withdrawal. I increased the water intake and prayed hard. Near midnight I could not take affects any longer and broke down and asked my daughter for a cigarette. She was unaware I had not smoked all day. As I drew in the smoke from this slave owner ~~the Warrior in me stood firm and announced this was not defeat, just a setback ~~smoke it and move forward.

On January 15th, I placed the patch on ~~the Warrior and its army overran the INCNC ~~standing firmly on its throat. I did not tell anyone that I had stopped sucking in smoke and toxins, yet.

As the weekend approached quickly, so did the withdrawal symptoms and I was just not feeling well. Another ploy by the INCNC members who had escaped the Warrior's major offensive. Yet, praying, listening to all the thoughts I had planted throughout my mind, reading, praying, deep breathing and slowly exhaling ~~anything not to grab a cigarette. On Saturday I told those at work I had not smoked ~~they were happy for me and encouraged me. And, on Sunday I went to church and praised and sang to GOD.