Many images surround the word addiction. The use of elicit substances and the abuse of alcohol are perhaps the most common. Even though these chemical addictions can be tragic and catastrophic, perhaps the most difficult addictions to over come are the ones that are acceptable. A smoking addiction can be one of the hardest chemical dependency habits to break because it is socially acceptable. Cigarettes are not illegal and you can smoke them in plain sight without getting arrested, fined or reprimanded. This fact alone can make it very difficult for people to find accountability, even when they want to quit.

The reasons why people choose to quit are as varied as the brands of cigarettes on the market. One of the biggest motivators for people to break their smoking addiction is the health problems that it causes or makes worse. Emphysema, lung cancer, and heart disease can all be attributed directly to smoking. Other diseases, while not directly caused by smoking, can be made worse by smoking because it weakens and compromises the body’s immune system.

Other folks are driven to combat their smoking addiction because they realize that they could have a higher quality of life. It is clear that if they stop smoking, they will be able to increase their levels of physical activity. For some this means a greater ability to interact socially with their friends. For others it means that they will be better able to participate in the day to day activities of life with their kids. When a smoker finally breaks free from their smoking addiction there is a sense of freedom that may motivate them to seek new activities to participate in with their new levels of energy.

Some smokers decide to quit purely for vanity’s sake. Yellow stained fingers, chronically bad breath, and hair that always smells like smoke doesn’t make you very attractive in the eyes of any non smokers that you may be wanting to socialize with. Health care professionals often advise smokers that they are aging prematurely by lighting up. The constant presence of smoke around the face can speed up the appearance of age wrinkles, often causing smokers to look much older than they really are. If want to not only live longer, but to look younger, tackle your smoking addiction now before the damage caused by the smoke, tar and nicotine is irreversible.

The government has figured out how to capitalize on peoples smoking addictions. The taxes applied to cigarettes are higher than anything else in the country. In some municipalities, these taxes can be nearly as much as the price of the cigarettes themselves. One great side effect for people who quit smoking is that they can save some serious money. Depending upon how much you smoke, you may find that you save hundreds, if not thousands, of dollars a year. Folks who have successfully conquered their smoking addiction often report buying new TV’s, stereo’s and even cars with the money that they have saved by kicking the smoking habit.

Other smokers decide that they want to quit because they reach a point in their lives where they don’t want to be controlled by anything. The need to find a place to smoke or to make sure that they always have cigarettes on hand can make a person feel captive to their habit. Sometimes the road to freedom is found in breaking the smoking addiction. Smoking addiction is a powerful enemy, but with the right motivations and support systems you can beat it. The road to a new life is right in front of you, you just need to choose to walk down it.

You hear the complaints everyday from different people about how busy their lives are with work and after school activities. They never have any family time together because everybody is just so B-U-S-Y.

Rather than falling into the category of the “busy family who does not talk to each other,” simply take 30 minutes a day to reconnect with your family members. Here are some simple ideas you can use to form a family bond:

1. Turn off the television. Focus your full attention on your spouse or child. Having someone’s undivided attention will boost your self-esteem no matter what your age.

2. Take a walk down memory lane. Laughing at the old-style fashions in the photo albums is a fabulous way to relive funny moments or to honor a beloved relative who has passed away.

3. Worship together. Daily prayer brings joy to the soul, helps us become more compassionate toward others and helps us to understand that life is precious.

4. Prepare meals together. Teach your kids that “the kitchen is the heart of the home.” Let your older children plan the dinner menu once a week and assign each family member a job so everyone has a chance to help.

5. Eat dinner together. Sit together at the table with no other distractions and learn about everyone’s day. Approach these discussions with openness and you will likely learn about the important events in your child’s life.

6. Plan an adventure. Head off for parts unknown with a map, a picnic lunch and a full tank of gas. Laugh when you make a wrong turn and hand off the map to see if another sibling can find their way home.

7. Go on dates. Parents should plan regular “dates” with each child individually. Sharing one-on-one time with each child makes him or her feel like they don’t have to compete with a sibling in order to be heard.

8. Enjoy the great outdoors. Taking the dog for a walk or riding your bikes around the park will give your family extra time to talk as well as keep the family healthy. To keep the activities new and fresh, let each family member choose an activity.

9. Exercise together. Working toward a common health goal as a team is easier than tackling a large goal all by yourself. Many gyms offer family memberships and you can share your experiences and your successes along your way to good health.

10. Plan a family fun night at home. Entertainment and quality family fun does not have to cost anything. Pull out some dusty board games, teach the kids a new card game or have dinner and a movie.

As the old saying goes, take some time to smell the roses and put your family first. No activity should be placed above spending time with the family. What a shame it would be to raise a child to adulthood and yet not truly know that person.