I had smoke for over 20 years, up to 2 packs a day during most years, and had decided to stop smoking. Knowing that I would be weak and would want to continue to buy cigarettes or bum one off someone, I told myself that if my will to quit was ever weakened that I would tell myself to choose to either continue to not smoke or to give up the idea of quitting and smoke for the rest of my life without ever trying to quit again. It was an all or nothing, now or never approach and it really worked.

I knew my mind’s behavior and I willfully intervened by dealing with cravings by creating a mental choice. Each time I chose, my entire future was at stake and it was easier to choose. “One little cigarette” or “Just one more pack” or “I’ll try this again next week/month/year” was not an option.

I hope you will take into consideration the very powerful work of Byron Katie called “The Work” where she teaches people to directly deal with lies we tell ourselves.

If you apply what she teaches to the part where you say that people either transcend or ignore the meaning we make.

It’s more like being able to hear what it is that mind is saying, “This is going to be difficult” or “Oh, it’s THAT person who never says hi.” or “I’m can’t stop smoking.” and then just simply addressing what the mind is saying and then telling it to SHUT UP and get in the back seat and do it anyway, say hi anyway or continue to stop smoking.

This also reminds me of a very similar method of a very successful film producer I met (Moctesuma Esparza) who said that when his mind tells him lies that, as he says, “I kill them. I don’t let them get in my way.” He had changed his life from being a gang member and radical activist to becoming an acclaimed filmmaker.

I also deal with this step in my own way by telling myself that I can’t always trust what I think. I have to check it out rather than assume it’s true. When I do this, I am often amazed at the miracles that show up that never would have if I had taken the approach that what I was thinking was true.

Blessings to you and sharing your perspective!
Patty Walters

Happy to hear you found my post useful.

Regards, Morty

I can’t promise the aliens will bring your daughter back, but they brought my two girls back, so there’s hope!

Regards, Morty