Join the Discussion - 4 Years Smoke Free

It's an incredible testiment to the power of the support available at About.com's Smoking Cessation Forum... People who have reached long term smoke free success are still around helping those who are just starting out on this journey.Such is the case with forum moderator Michelle, who just today reached 4 years smoke free: "Some are reluctant to believe me when I say that I know I will never smoke again. Well, my investment over the last 4 years is simply too great for me to ever entertain the thought of taking even one puff. During those years, and especially the first one, as my investment in smoke-freedom grew, the likelihood of my ever smoking again dwindled. So, as wonderful as it is to put more and more time between you and your last cigarette,stop smoking now, how you invest that time can have a great impact on your progress and ultimate success.""People invest in savings and retirement accounts and IRA's, and rightly so, but none of these will matter if a smoking-related illness claims your life before you can enjoy the benefits of your other investments. It is worth every minute you invest and more. The freedom that awaits you is nearly indescribable, and with each passing year, as my gratitude continues to grow,quit smoking now, so does my hope that more and more people will decide to reclaim the lives they were meant to live."Photo by Philippe Ramakers