stock photo of an elderly man for the story 'Quitting'

A Journey to Compassion and Song

Rene Rey

I began smoking cigarettes at 21 years of age, when I won a few packs in a poker game. For the next 20 years I chain smoked two and a half to four packs a day.

At 41, I climbed the Grouse Grind, smoking three or four cigarettes on the way up. I reached the top after four and a half hours, having stopped every eight minutes to catch my breath. I felt elated at reaching the top, but realized smoking was having a negative effect on my fitness level and health.

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