Hall of Fame Speech Of Butkus

I found the Quitsmokeless site three days into my quit. Like most people at that stage, I was desperate. I was desperate to stay quit, but I didn’t have a shred of confidence that I could. I felt sorry for myself (because only I could know what I was going through). In my quit group (St. Nic-O-Frees), I soon learned that there wasn’t anything I was feeling or experiencing that one or more members of my group wasn’t also experiencing. From the vets posting in our group, I also saw that it was possible to survive what I was experiencing. In general, this “common suffering” was the proverbial shoe horn that enabled me to pull my head out of my ass and “embrace the suck” of my quit.

Early on, I think the most crucial advice I got was to quit one day at a time. Post roll and quit for that day. And let me reiterate for any beginners reading now; fight off worrying about how you are going to live the rest of your life without dipping. Stay close to your quite group and focus on how you are going to get through the day or even the next few hours! The days will pile up, and your perspective will change faster than you can imagine.

Thanks to the St. Nic-O-Frees for inspiring me, pissing me off, and making me laugh. Thanks to the vets for kicking me in the ass and then picking up the pieces when needed. Thanks to my wife, who never gave me grief about dipping and who has quietly supported my quit. Thanks to my son for showing me what was important in life.

Matt

12/6/2006
Nashville, TN