3.2.08

TFFL Episode 1

He who rejects change is the architect of decay.
The only human institution which rejects progress is the cemetery.
- Harold Wilson

Does the prospect of hearing success stories about how people have changed their lives far outweigh the prospect of catching flack from those who have gotten tired of hearing the “tobacco is bad for you” message? 

Absolutely.

Does the inspirational story of someone who has entered into and overcome diversity draw passion up in me to overcome by own challenges and obstacles and to keep my whining to a minimum?

Definitely.

Of all the “I care. I don’t smoke.” stories we heard on our first weekend out, I’m not sure which personal story inspired the Tobacco Free Florida (TFFL) Street Team the most. 

It might have been the first woman we met (who had smoked since she was 11) who told us that she knew she had to quit when her young son began showing interest in her smoking, thus leading to her quitting with a new Wellbutrin therapy after smoking for 30+ years.  Or if it was the young girl who was frustrated and saddened by her aunt who wouldn’t quit smoking and refused to see how it affected those around her that love her.  Or if it was the parking lot attendant at the Xtreme Fighting Championship in Tampa who told us that she was still smoking even though she was in danger of a second collapsed lung.  Or if it was the man who gave his story of driving from New Jersey to New York City with his friend when he opened a fresh pack of cigarettes, smoked one, got disgusted, crumpled up the remaining pack and threw it out the truck window on their drive and quit cold-turkey on the spot.

No, Tobacco Free Florida is not advocating highway litter.  Or any litter of any kind of that matter.

Yes, we do advocate that one should do what it takes to make a change for the positive.

No, Tobacco Free Florida is not here to preach to and humiliate those who are smokers into being non-smokers.  There has been enough of that that has caused walls to be built so that people shut out the anti-tobacco message.

We’re here to encourage the understanding that the decisions you make affect others, and we’re all in this thing called “life” together whether we like it or not.

Yes, we want to hear your story in person.  ALL of them.

Do we have facts and figures a mile long about why smoking is not good for you?  Sure we do.

Is that necessarily what is going to cause someone to change?  Not necessarily.  Many times it is a heart issue and hearts are only changed by people seeing how their decisions affect others around them.

Your decisions affect everyone around you, and when that magic light bulb goes off to show you how your life is inextricably connected to parents, siblings, friends, coworkers and this great patchwork quilt of humanity – to show you how its not just about you – then hearts begin to change.  And so lives are also.

How is your health?  Whatever state it is in, PROTECT IT!  Fight for it.  Believe in it.  Hope through it.
Do you want to change it for the better?  Do you want to put down the pack?  We have resources.
If nothing ever changed, there'd be no butterflies.
Change begins with choice. 
Change your mind, change your body. 
Change is good.

These sayings are familiar to many of us.  And there is not any portion of this planet Earth or its inhabitants that does not undergo change.  Its somewhat arrogant of us when we decide that we have it all figured out and that we can be the ONE species on planet Earth that DOESN’T change.
When your health and wellness are in order, every other area of your life will begin to fall into line.  Don’t believe it?  Test us.  What do you have to lose?
Join us in transforming the health and wellness of our population one person at a time.  Lets begin today.  You're not promised a tomorrow.

We want you to interact with us.  Everyone has a story and we’re here to hear it.  Submit your own video about why it is that you don’t smoke or why / how you’ve quit.  EVERYONE needs to hear that story.  And you owe it to the struggling soul who wants to walk away from that habit.

YOUR story is vital.  As much as I know that smoking is not good for me, nor will it ever be a habit that permeates my life, there is no way that I can identify with the struggle to put down the pack and erase nicotine addiction from my life, especially knowing how addictive it can be.

Stop by and see us at an event.  The only reason we’re at these events is to meet YOU.  We, the TFFL Street Team, are the face of the campaign, but YOU will help us write the story of Tobacco Free Florida 2008 for others to learn from for a long time to come.

Have a strong day.

Tobacco Free Florida out.