A Typical Quitter’s Story
Reading through all these HOF speeches got me thinking, we’re all similar in here. My story isn’t any different.
Can’t believe it’s been 100 days. The first 100 days of my life that I can actually remember without my dip and a 2-can-a -day habit. Believe it or not, I first started dipping at age 8. Age 8. That’s almost 30 freakin years. Man, if I caught one of my kids dipping at age 8 I would have beat their ass to a pulp…but things are different today.
When I was 8, living in the backwoods and farms of Eastern Oklahoma, everyone dipped, at least everyone that mattered to me. Which were most importantly my two older cousins that at the time were my role models, and they dipped. Of course I had to be like them..so I dipped..against the will of my parents, but I became an expert stealth dipper. By the time I was in my teens, no one knew I was an dipper unless I wanted them to know..
I joined the Air Force at 17, and incredibly somehow managed to continue dipping all through basic training and tech school. I look back at that alone and can’t believe I got away with it. Spent 10 years active duty, and dipped. Another 6 years in the reserves, and dipped.
I eventually separated and joined the corporate world, moved to the ‘big city’ in the Northeast, traded my uniform for a suit…and still dipped. Hell, I was so good at it I could sit in board meetings with a fatty in my cheek and nobody knew a damn thing about it. I always thought, I’ll quit next year. Too much stress right now. I’ll stop when I make ‘Director’. I’ll stop when I make “Senior Director”.. I’ll stop when I make VP. No no, I’ll stop when I make company president. Well, I did that over a year ago..and I was still dipping.
A strange thing started happening to me.. I’m not an old guy.. I’m 37. But people began thinking I was in my mid to late40’s. And during a conversation, my wife’s plastic surgeon (for medical reasons) told her either I was either ten years older, or a heavy nicotine user. That got my attention. I started looking in the mirror and realizing what that 2 can a day habit was doing to me. That evening I decided to quit. I began the next morning, and never had another dip.
On day 2, I found this site… and I honestly don’t believe I could have done it without it. Drilldan and I were the first to step up to the plate for July. My July brothers kept me quit. Two things I couldn’t do..one, let my July brothers down, and two, post a day 1 in another month. Nothing against the other groups, they’re great…but July is where I belong. I’m proud of our group… There’s no bullshit… Just some serious mf’ers that are tired of the nic bitch. My kind of group.
Shut the Fuck up and Quit. If I can do it, anybody can. You just have to want to.
NOTE: This piece written by KillTheCan.org forum member steelcity
