Stop it! JUST STOP IT!

Hold on ladies and gentlemen, I am firmly stepping up to my soap box and strapping on my preaching helmet.  Deep breath in....are you ready?  STOP SMOKING!  JUST STOP IT!  I SEE YOU THERE...PUT THAT STUPID CIGARETTE OUT!

Notice I didn't call you stupid, just that cigarette you have hanging out of your mouth.

Ok...I'm calling myself stupid.

It blows my mind that derby people, strong and smart derby people still smoke!  Is it 1958? I'm pretty sure it isn't.  We all know that smoking causes cancer of the lips, throat, lungs and esophagus; how many public service announcements have we all seen?  Smoking also causes emphysema,  which basically suffocates you in the long run.  Doesn't that sound delightful?  If you really want to freak yourself out, please read this blog about post surgical recovery and cigarettes.  The writer is a plastic surgeon and he discusses what can happen to people who smoke after surgery.  Hint, their nipples can turn black and fall off.  Yeah, that's what I said.  READ THIS AND BE AFRAID

I wouldn't be this adamant about quitting smoking if I hadn't done it myself.  It is tough and it sucks; I started smoking because it helped me with my stress and anxiety.  It was a crutch and I found that I did it more when I was out having a drink with friends. Sound familiar?  I was mostly a casual smoker, and when I finally decided to quit, I found it really really difficult!  I had to break myself of the habit, which meant I had to break out of my unhealthy patterns.

Most people are able to quit on will power alone;  I don't care what the ads say, willpower is what is going to get you through this.  It all starts with you;  do you really want to quit?  That sounds like a weird question, but many people love love love their cigarettes.  I have been tempted to remove a cigarette from a jammer's fingers at an after party, but I didn't want to draw back a nub. 

Now look people, you are all tough sons of bitches on the track; I've seen you skate after getting hit into the audience, breaking your nose and playing with a tampon hanging out of it.  I've seen you play with broken fingers, broken collar bones and rink rash from hell.  Why are you still smoking?  You are way tougher than any addiction to some stupid plant!

If you want to improve your game, your life and your health, please please please quit smoking! Here is a list of tips that may help you if you commit to it!

Sermon over.

Make your life better!