http://www.quitsmokingonline.com/course/freedom/your-inner-dialogue/

Here is a link to the site index. I think it was lesson 6 that had the things I wrote about, though the whole thing has value. Just takes some time...

http://www.quitsmokingonline.com/course-intro/

Omg Lori, so much for me to read, take in, learn from, giggle at, and delight in... I will stop there because I know my compliments can get incredibly sickly, if not to the recipient, then to anyone else who happens to read. Suffice to say, I pray that I can continue to be a Muse for you for a little longer, because I am finding you to be priceless.

What you describe about being detached during your cravings sounds like Mindfulness to me. I have attended a number of sessions for this through work, and absolutely loved the concept. You sit back, tap into your feelings, ride the wave, appreciate, try not to direct or interfere with those internal workings, and just become aware of the waves and sensations that make up our complex wholes. On the whole, the technique is used to relax and de-stress, and it definitely works (a little too well on my case, as I always ended up asleep and my subsequent snoring and dribbling didn't help others attending). What you describe sounds like that, and it will be interesting to try the same tactics for a craving, although I suspect it will be harder to ride that wave compared to my experiences of mindfulness in the past. Either way, I will write about it here.

And yeah, totally agree on all of what you say about survivalists and about their esteemed leader. It does actually concern me when I see a big baby stand up and represent the leading country of the free world. I didn't always know whether to laugh or cry when I used to tune in to the daily briefings that are now no longer, after bleachgate. But I'm reluctant to go there on here, as I am less informed than you guys, plus people in glasshouses need to keep their heads down and concentrate on staying out of trouble, and continuing to keep the smoking beasts at bay.

These links Lori - did you have to donate to access? That is a strange thing to have to do for what claims to be a free site?

No, I didn’t...yes, it’s odd. I don’t know much about what it takes to keep a website up. That is for people whose minds are more technical than my wandering mess of neurons. I often feel a twinge of guilt when I don’t donate something and I’m reaping some pleasure of someone else’s hard work. I guess I could donate what I would have spent on smokes today even. 
More in a bit! Catching my breath from an over 2 hour walk. Ahhhh!

No, I wasn't asking you to donate. Just letting you know that I was being asked to, I think, before proceeding. I will try again now anyways...

Ok, sat that lesson you mention now Lori. It made me want to smoke. But I like his idea and am willing to see what happens if I ride the moment and try to de-power it. 

Like I said, I'll let you know how it goes. Looking forward to you doing the same at some point. And if it works, we can start a thread for this, if it hasn't been started before?

No...it did?? Well that I’m sure is an unintended side effect! Wait...Didn’t you already want to smoke?? I often want to, but the depth of the desire is less. Not sure if that makes sense. I believe it is what is called romancing the cigarette. Let me find that Dear John letter for you...

Oh I didn’t take it as you were asking me to donate. I thought the same thing last night when I got to that part and felt a slight bit bad for not doing so. Of course I forgot about that part of the site and then felt bad forwarding something to you that asked for donations.

The beauty of this is we get to entertain and encourage each other for free! 

Ahhh...you are kind. I’ll try to take the compliments gracefully and just say thank you. You are funny too; try to be my muse a little longer. Well, I guess in a way you are as I said you have inspired me to write.

You crack me up! I got a visual of you sitting in the class snoring and dribbling! Oh I would have had me some fun with that in the class for sure. Yes, it is like mindfulness. Being detached and observing and mindful of the feeling of missing smoking. The moments I have where I feel like I actually miss it are pretty fleeting. I had one slip early on and it messed with my head. I felt pretty badly about it. Only smoked part of one. It hurt too. I was amazed at how it felt in my throat! That part actually inspired me cause I took it as something in my throat must have healed some as it had not been painful to smoke before I quit. 
Were you a heavy smoker? 
I think I’ve written replies to you in a reverse order...seems to go with my somewhat backward style.