The power you have is unimaginable so use it!

A few days ago as I was walking down the street I saw this willowly woman smoking under the roof of an entrance because it was raining. I approached her and asked "Are you an addict?". She looked at me and I saw the struggle in her eyes to accept that she was. "Please leave me alone" she said. I stood there for a second and then said this: "You could be inside where it's warm and cozy yet you're out here, in the rain. And for what?". It was at that moment I saw some thin change in her face. She threw her cigarette to the ground and stomped on it. At first I wasn't sure whether or not she would storm away in anger, but she didn't. Instead she pulled her Benson & Hedges 100s out from her purse and handed them to me. "You're done?" I asked. She nodded. She was ready to quit. And all it took was a little prodding from me. I crushed the pack in my hand and I told her "You're free now". She looked so reassured. The relief on her face made her look 10 years younger. She went back inside to what I assume was her workplace.

I pass by there daily and intend to keep an eye out for her. If I see her smoking, I intend to coach her again. And every other time I see her smoking. Until she quits for good. But I think she's on the right path. Seems like she just needed some reassurance.