Article April 25, 1970 Issue

Overcoming Smoking—and Willpower

MARION H. BLACK

"If only I had enough willpower to stop smoking!" is a lament we often hear. I remember making this same remark when I tried to break a two-pack-a-day smoking habit. I also remember the frustration of continuing to do something that I really didn't want to do. Yet because I had tried to stop smoking and failed, I felt there was no answer to the problem.

After becoming a student of Christian Science I found an answer to my smoking problem; however, it was not one I had expected. In studying the writings of Mrs. Eddy I learned that instead of needing more willpower to stop smoking, I really needed less. I discovered the revolutionary fact that smoking was actually the manifestation of human will.

This thought that it takes more willpower to continue smoking than to stop seemed radical to me. However, a careful study of Science and Health by Mrs. Eddy proved the validity of this premise. I found that Principle is one of seven synonyms for God. I also learned that man, created in the image and likeness of God, reflects Principle in every action. It was impossible to conceive of Principle having anything to do with smoking; therefore, it was inconceivable that man, Principle's reflection, could have anything to do with smoking. Yet because I continued smoking, I realized that these absolute thoughts must be made practical. The basic error had to be uncovered and destroyed.

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Overcoming Smoking—and Willpower

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