Quit Smoking!..Choice Is Yours..But Dont Be Late

13 best quit smoking tips (copied from a facebook group)
No. 1: Know Why You Want to Quit
So you want to quit smoking, but do you know why? "Because it's bad for you" isn't good enough. To get motivated, you need a powerful, personal reason to quit. Maybe you want to protect your family from secondhand smoke. Maybe the thought of lung cancer frightens you. Or maybe you'’d like to look and feel younger. Choose a reason that is strong enough to outweigh the urge to light up.

No. 2: Don't Go Cold Turkey
It may be tempting to toss your cigarettes and declare you've quit, plain and simple. But going cold turkey isn't easy to do. Ninety-five percent of people who try to stop smoking without therapy or medication end up relapsing. The reason is that nicotine is addictive. The brain becomes used to having nicotine and craves it. In its absence, the symptoms of nicotine withdrawal occur.

No. 3: Try Nicotine-Replacement Therapy
When you stop smoking, nicotine withdrawal may make you feel frustrated, depressed, restless, or irritable. The craving for "just one drag" may be overwhelming. Nicotine-replacement therapy can help reduce these feelings. Studies suggest nicotine gum, lozenges, and patches can help double your chances of quitting successfully when used with an intensive behavioral program. But using these products while smoking is generally not recommended.

No. 4: Ask About Prescription Pills
To ease nicotine withdrawal without using products that contain nicotine, ask your doctor about prescription medications. There are pills that help reduce cravings by affecting chemicals in the brain. They may also make smoking less satisfying if you do pick up a cigarette. Other drugs can help reduce troubling withdrawal symptoms, such as depression or inability to concentrate.

No. 5: Don't Go It Alone
Tell your friends, family, and co-workers that you're trying to quit. Their encouragement could make the difference. You may also want to join a support group or talk to a counselor. Behavioral therapy is a type of counseling that helps you identify and stick to quit-smoking strategies. Combine behavioral therapy with nicotine replacement products and/or medication to boost your odds of success.

No. 6: Manage Stress
One reason people smoke is that the nicotine helps them relax. Once you quit, you’ll need another way to cope with stress. Try getting regular massages, listening to relaxing music, or learning yoga or tai chi. If possible, avoid stressful situations during the first few weeks after you stop smoking.

No. 7: Avoid Alcohol, Other Triggers
Certain activities may boost your urge to smoke. Alcohol is one of the most common triggers, so try to drink less when you first quit. If coffee is a trigger, switch to tea for a few weeks. And if you usually smoke after meals, find something else to do instead, like brushing your teeth or chewing gum.

No. 8: Clean House
Once you've smoked your last cigarette, toss all of your ashtrays and lighters. Wash any clothes that smell like smoke and clean your carpets, draperies, and upholstery. Use air fresheners to help rid your home of that familiar scent. You don't want to see or smell anything that reminds you of smoking.

No. 9: Try and Try Again
It's very common to have a relapse. Many smokers try several times before giving up cigarettes for good. Examine the emotions and circumstances that lead to your relapse. Use it as an opportunity to reaffirm your commitment to quitting. Once you've made the decision to try again, set a "quit date" within the next month. 

No. 10: Get Moving
Physical activity can help reduce nicotine cravings and ease some withdrawal symptoms. When you want to reach for a cigarette, put on your inline skates or jogging shoes instead. Even mild exercise is helpful. The extra calories you burn will also ward off weight gain as you quit smoking.

No. 11: Eat Fruits and Veggies
Don't try to diet while giving up cigarettes -- too much deprivation is bound to backfire. Instead, focus on eating more fruits, vegetables, and low-fat dairy products. A Duke University study suggests these foods make cigarettes taste terrible. This gives you a leg up in fighting your cravings while providing disease-fighting nutrients.

No. 12: Choose Your Reward
In addition to the tremendous health benefits, one of the perks of giving up cigarettes is all the money you will save. Reward yourself by spending part of it on something fun.

No. 13: Do It for Your Health
There's more than the monetary reward to consider. Smoking cessation has immediate health benefits. It lowers your blood pressure and reduces your pulse after only 20 minutes. Within a day, the carbon monoxide level in your blood returns to normal. Within two weeks to three months, your risk of a heart attack decreases and your lungs begin to function better. Long-term benefits include a reduced risk for coronary heart disease, stroke, lung cancer, and other cancers.

The Greater Danger For Most Of Us Lies Not In Setting Our Aim Too High And Falling Short; But In Setting Our Aim Too Low, And Achieving Our Mark.

Gone are the days when we were students of primary school and nothing was more pleasing to us than getting a new colourful fascinating stationary box with pictures of pink panther and disney princesses on it. When small things made us happy and we used to say "Thankyou Allah Mian" after eating a scoop of our favourite icecream. As time passes, we set high goals and aim of achieving difficult destinations. And sometimes these goals are so difficult to achieve and appear to be so far away that they are left unachieved and even God gets in trouble because in the end, if our dreams donot come true and our wishes are left unfulfilled, we blame other people or God or ourselves. One would say to limit ourselves and to dream less and wish for less and set goals which can be achieved but then life would be so meaningless with such little and useless aims and goals!! According to Allama Iqbal:

Be Kind! Because Everyone You Meet Is Fighting A Hard Battle

As she stood in front of her 5th grade class on the very first day of school, she told the children an untruth. Like most teachers, she looked at her students and said that she loved them all the same. However, that was impossible, because there in the front row, slumped in his seat, was a little boy named Teddy Stoddard.
Mrs. Thompson had watched Teddy the year before and noticed that he did notplay well with the other children, that his clothes were messy and that he constantly needed a bath. In addition, Teddy could be unpleasant.
It got to the point where Mrs. Thompson would actually take delight in marking his papers with a broad red pen, making bold X's and then putting a big "F" at the top of his papers.
At the school where Mrs. Thompson taught, she was required to review each child's past records and she put Teddy's off until last. However, when she reviewed his file, she was in for a surprise.
Teddy's first grade teacher wrote, "Teddy is a bright child with a ready laugh. He does his work neatly and has good manners... he is a joy to be around.."
His second grade teacher wrote, "Teddy is an excellent student, well liked by his classmates, but he is troubled because his mother has a terminal illness and life at home must be a struggle."
His third grade teacher wrote, "His mother's death has been hard on him. He tries to do his best, but his father doesn't show much interest and his home life will soon affect him if some steps aren't taken."
Teddy's fourth grade teacher wrote, "Teddy is withdrawn and doesn't show much interest in school. He doesn't have many friends and he sometimes sleeps in class."
By now, Mrs. Thompson realized the problem and she was ashamed of herself. She felt even worse when her students brought her Christmas presents, wrapped in beautiful ribbons and bright paper, except for Teddy's. His present was clumsily wrapped in the heavy, brown paper That he got from a grocery bag Mrs. Thompson took pains to open it in the middle of the other presents. Some of the children started to laugh when she found a rhinestone bracelet with some of the stones missing, and a bottle that was one-quarter full of perfume.. But she stifled the children's laughter when she exclaimed how pretty the bracelet was, putting it on, and dabbing some of the perfume on her wrist. Teddy Stoddard stayed after school that day just long enough to say, "Mrs. Thompson, today you smelled just like my Mom used to." After the children left, she cried for at least an hour.
On that very day, she quit teaching reading, writing and arithmetic. Instead, she began to teach children. Mrs. Thompson paid particular attention to Teddy. As she worked with him, his mind seemed to come alive. The more she encouraged him, the faster he responded. By the end of the year, Teddy had become one of the smartest children in the class and, despite her lie that she would love all the children the same, Teddy became one of her "teacher's pets.."
A year later, she found a note under her door, from Teddy, telling* her that she was still the best teacher he ever had in his whole life.
Six years went by before she got another note from Teddy. He then wrote that he had finished high school, third in his class, and she was still the best teacher he ever had in life.
Four years after that, she got another letter, saying that while things had been tough at times, he'd stayed in school, had stuck with it, and would soon graduate from college with the highest of honors. He assured Mrs. Thompson that she was still the best and favorite teacher he had ever had in his whole life.
Then four more years passed and yet another letter came. This time he explained that after he got his bachelor's degree, he decided to go a little further. The letter explained that she was still the best and favorite teacher he ever had. But now his name was a little longer.... The letter was signed, Theodore F. Stoddard, MD.
The story does not end there. You see, there was yet another letter that spring. Teddy said he had met this girl and was going to be married. He explained that his father had died a couple of years ago and he was wondering if Mrs. Thompson might agree to sit at the wedding in the place that was usually reserved for the mother of the groom.
Of course, Mrs. Thompson did. And guess what? She wore that bracelet, the one with several rhinestones missing. Moreover, she made sure she was wearing the perfume that Teddy remembered his mother wearing on their last Christmas together.
They hugged each other, and Dr. Stoddard whispered in Mrs. Thompson's ear, "Thank you Mrs. Thompson for* believing in me. Thank you so much for making me feel important and showing me that I could make a difference."
Mrs. Thompson, with tears in her eyes, whispered back. She said, "Teddy, you have it all wrong. You were the one who taught me that I could make a difference. I didn't know how to teach until I met you."
(For you that don't know, Teddy Stoddard is the Dr. at Iowa Methodist Hospital in Des Moines that has the Stoddard Cancer Wing.)

Random acts of kindness, I think they call it?
"Believe in Angels, then return the favor."

Letters Worth Reading

I have posted few lines from the drama "Durre Shehwar" on my blog previously...and a few lines from the letters of Shehwar to her father and then her father's replies...Here are the exact letters...

Muawiyah II And His Affection For Panjetan

After the death of Yazid ibn e Muawiyah, who was the main culprit of Karbal, his son, Muawiyah II was made the khalifa  but he was not happy with his position as a khalifa as he was naturally born with affection for Imam Ali A.S and his descendents. He said to the people:

"Kilafat is like a punishment for me and it is not for me. It is necessary that I tell you that who really deserves this position. Listen People! Imam Zain Ul Abideen, son of Imam Hussain, is present among you. He is righteous and he deserves this postition. It is your duty to go to him and convince him for this position. Although I am aware that he will not accept it. O people! I have no wish to be your khalifa because the ignorance and corruption of you people, which I donot like, is not small but major and I am also aware of the fact that even you people donot like me. I have to suffer from great difficulty and punishment while I am your leader and you people are also in great difficulty because of me. Listen! my grand father Muawiyah I, for this khilafat and honour, fought wars against the man, who was more deserving for this position and that man was not just better than Muawiyah for this position but he was better amongst all human beings. That man had the most affection for Prophet PBUH. His good deeds and good points are many. He had the greatest knowledge amongst all men, he was the bravest amongst all mujahid men, he was the first one to believe in Muhammad He holds the greatest position after Muhammad. He was the first one to achieve the pride of Muhammad's companionship. Apart from all these good deeds he was Prophet's cousin, his son in law and his religious companion and spiritual brother. Hasan and Hussain who are the princes of heaven are his sons only. My grandfather stood up against this man with such corruption about which you all are aware and the ignorance,present among you people, because of my grand father is also quite evident to you people. No doubt my grandfather succeeded in achieving his goals and all his worldly desires were achieved. But then death grabbed him and because of his deeds he is now suffering alone in his grave. His cruelty and corruption are now standing in front of him in his grave. Then this leadership was given to my father Yazid. Although my father Yazid, because of his unislamic thoughts, words and acts was not a deserving person for this position but his inner creature resulted in him being your leader. And then my father stood against Prophet PBUH  to such an extent that he shed blood of Rasul's descendents. Fortunately his span was short and he died soon after. He is now sensing the bitter taste of his bad deeds and in his grave, is stuck in hardship, which is the result of his own sins. surely he must be regretting for what he has done. But now?? when there is no use of regretting. He is now being punished and we have forgotten his death and we are not sad by his death. I wish we could get to know what excuses he made in his grave for his wrong doings. Is he being punished for his sins?? I have no doubt in that. Now I am the third Khalifa of my cruel family Bani Umaiyyah. People favouring me are less. O brothers! I donot have energy to carry the weight of your sins. May I not see that day when I have to go infront of God with the weight of your sins. Now you people are free to decide about your government. Take it from me and make your khalifa any person whom you like."

Marwaan, who was sitting just beneath the position from where Muawiyah II was addressing the public, stood up and said to Muawiyah II:

"Are you planning to end your government like Hazrat Umar? Who also handed over his government to common people.."

Muawiyah II said:

"Go away! You are trying to betray me in my religion. I donot have any pleasure to be your leader. Infact i am tasting the bitterness of this leadership. Bring people similar to those who were present at Umar's time..except for the fact that he handed over this khilafat to people which was snatched from Ali..and even he was labelled as wicked for satching this khilafat from Ali. I swear to God, if khilafat was of any benefit then my father and grandfather only got loss from it and they only succeeded to make a collection of sins from it."

Muawiyah II ended his speech and came home full of grief. His mother and other relatives criticized him for this address.His mother said to him:

"I wish you were aborted when you were just a fetus"

He replied:

"I swear to God I wish the same"

Bani Umaiyyah then started to blame Muawiyah's II teacher Umar Maqsus. They blamed him that it was because of his affection for Ali A.S that they had seen that day. Maqsus said that it was not his fault and that Muawiyah II was naturally born with Ali's affection in his heart. The teacher was buried alive by Bani Umaiyyah and Muawiyah II was poisoned to death by his family members.


Refrence book: 14 sitaray

A Little Kindness Is Always Better Than A Great Deal Of Money

This is now almost an every day sight for me..I work in a dental hospital which is just adjacent to the Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Center  the largest government hospital of our city, Karachi...Morning hours are comparatively peaceful but at noon time while I am returning back to my home, this has become a routine. Every day one or other ambulance gets stuck in the traffic jam..no matter how urgent the patient in the ambulance needs to be taken to the hospital or no matter how urgent the ambulance has to reach an area of emergency, the other cars and buses in the traffic are least bothered..people pretend to become deaf and wont move an inch to give space to the ambulance..as a result every day many deaths are reported due to the ambulance not reaching the patient on time or patient dieing in the ambulance only...its sad that human life is of no value in our country...what could be worst than this...but again in a country like Pakistan, where people donot get the basic necessities of life and where the queues for CNG (compressed natural gas) are so long that they block normal roads,frustration of public is likely to result in such consequences in which people become insensitive and forget about laws of humanity..this is not the end..situation gives you furthur grief when a poor riksha owner would do all to give space to an ambulance in traffic jam but a rich person with a luxurious car of brand new model wont bother to move his costly car just because he fears that he will reach his destination a bit late or his beautiful car will get some injury if he tries to move it in such little space..sad that we are at the lowermost level of humanity and very soon we will be labelled as animals..its sad that the whole road is supposed to get empty when some important person chooses that road to his destination but nothing is done for a person in an ambulance who is at the edge of death.. City government should concentrate more on making separate roads for ambulances instead of building high five flyovers and bridges which are of least importance in an area where such a huge and busy hospital setup is present.