Hi Joel,

Well this is the third time I've quit smoking (It's been about six  
months now.)  First time for seven years, second time for three.  
Yes, I can quit smoking, but I can't seem to quit smoking and over  
the long term be happy and flowing in my art work, writing, and  
social life.  So eventually I choose to go back to it.  It's clearly  
not the addiction per se, but my general level of spoiled brattiness  
and innate edginess and tension -- which smoking alone seems to cure  
on the emotional level, even if it kills my body.
Writing about it helps I think, but maybe you also have some  
advice.   I know a lot of it is a bad attitude, but putting on a  
happy face doesn't seem completely to help either.  When you're faced  
with trying to do art, putting on a happy face doesn't always help.  
You have to be in touch with your dark side, while at the same time  
handling it.   Maybe there are support groups for artists and writers  
trying to quit -- because I think the issues are a little different  
here.  Do you know of any and if not, is it okay if I keep writing here?

Thanks.
k