Recent studies show that in 2004,  there were an estimated 44.5 million adult smokers in the United States, and 70% of them want to quit. Each year, 35% do attempt to stop,  yet only 5% succeed -- clearly change isn't easy. Willpower alone isn't enough. A good program for change alone isn't enough. To make change permanent, we need outside help. Support groups are successful for this very reason.  Weight Watchers reports that people who attend meetings lose  three times as much weight as those who don't. Same program, same motivation. The only difference  is the social component of support.  Our goal as the Chosen Nation is not only to change destructive personal habits, but to change our very natures, our character traits, and our approaches to life -- the type of spouses we are, the type of parents we are, the type of human beings we. Clearly it is a formidable challenge- one that we were given a lifetime to tackle. And  provided we have the motivation, systems and knowledge of how to change, we can accomplish it.   In this second  of a three part series on the mechanisms of change, we focus on  how support systems function and how important they are in making change permanent.   See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. This podcast has been graciously sponsored by JewishPodcasts.fm. There is much overhead to maintain this service so please help us continue our goal of helping Jewish lecturers become podcasters and support us with a donation: https://thechesedfund.com/jewishpodcasts/donate