2014 Challenge

Hi Mr B,

I have followed your thread since I first came onto this forum and have read all your posts, I think it's time for me join this challenge

now if I can please.

Your last post was very poignant and strong but true. Thank you for sharing.

I am 188 days today of being gamble free and with the new changes that will be happening in my life, I want to ensure all my barriers are well stacked up, and it's time for me to join this wonderful challenge that you work so hard at, and walk along side of you all to a better future where gambling has no part.

Suzanne xx

Great post Mr B.

Quite often I am guilty of scan reading, but I've made sure today that I read and absorbed your words. I know I'm the newbie, but thanks for doing what you do. M - on day 32

Hi all, it's been a while...

I haven't posted on the forum since I fell of the wagon back in July after 150+ days clean, although I do regularly read posts and check up on how the challenge is going.

I'm happy to say that since the blip I had in July I have managed to stay gamble free and have now gone 91 days with out a single bet. 🙂

I'm glad to see the challenge is still going strong!

Keep fighting soldiers!!

adam

Morning all

thanks so much for all your kind words of support,my second passing through the years continued abstinence has had a very profound effect upon my life and without doubt those I hold dear.

Mr B, fella your post rang some home truth's as I found myself very complacent as my first period of abstinence grew,arrogant to the fact that the bottom line is I am and will always be a compulsive gambler,ignorant to the fact that the only day you need to worry about is the one you are living in.

The continued abstinence is in the past and tomorrow well we all know it never comes!!

Living today is the only day any of us have to concern ourselves with.

For me you are spot on about having those blocks in place for life,they are not broken therefore don't need fixing my attitude.

They also keep me an honest man,not to affraid to admit my own short comings.

I always think about a fella from my GA room who god rest his soul had over twenty five years continued abstinence behind him,he used to say to the fella's who looked forlorn,broken but refused to admit defeat

'All we are asking is you is don't have a bet'

Words I know only a fellow compulsive gambler can smile at,because when sharing this with my wife her reaction was somewhat different and pretty colourful!! As to why I had not seen this some twenty years previous!!

But the truth is without placing that next punt

Just for today life can only improve.

I hope you all live for today,enjoy it,after all by making the choice to utter those three amazing words we actually win.

NO BET TODAY

duncs stepping forward never back

Hi all,

Checking in on day 48 gamble free and almost at half a century! Really starting to get a positive buzz about my day to day life. My fellow peers have really helped me and commented on how my personality has become much more positive and generally I am alot nicer to be around to be frank!!

Almost 50 days... it has flown by as does life... I've had difficult times but come to the realisation that I don't need gambling but gambling needs me... Just be happy with what you have, greed isn't desirable and I recognise how much of a lieing and devilish indivdual I had become. I've decided to take that step to change..

Great post Mr B, I full comprehend with what you commented.. it's easy enough to say you're going to quit.. it's about putting it into action.. determination is crucial, but you really have to want to stop and put the necessary barriers in place for this to happen... Life goes on, we need to put it in our past and get by slowly one day at a time... this can be beaten and you're living proof of this Mr B. I personally do it for the motto, 'My family, friends and I'. That's all that matters to me in this world and I'll carry on taking this plunge for them united together..

Hope you all had a great week soldiers.. BATTLE ON!

Thanks,

Andy

just checking in guys keep up the good fight

Well done everyone and thanks again to Mr. Brightside for the work that goes into maintaing this thread.

I've missed a couple of check ins due to being on holiday but still gamble free- 45 days so far.

Checking in day 50. Only the start for me, keep up the good work everyone.

Hi Mr B and all - Checking in on Day 256 of sanity. Thank you for your words of wisdom Mr B.

Joanna

Eventually managed to get logged in apologies to all. Dunc congrats on 1year GF proud of you.

checking in GF.

del 🙂 P.s this new site sucks a*s

Hi All - checking in on day 157, gamble free and abstaining, one day ata time, marching forward to a gamble free future.

My thoughts on the site ~ it isn't easier but rather prettier and less user freindly to those that have been here a while. Dare so new mebers will get used to it quicker than older ones! Should have set up a beta site and got some of us to test it but hey, guess they thought it would be better!

Anyways, great post Mr B, as always and hope admin can sort you out and get back to the front update page and an easier navigation to the weekly update!

Reasons for abstaining are, as you say, different yet the same for everyone, just like the addiction, The gambling need will never disappear, and may [probably will] manifest itself in other ways, again, different for everyone but the same! I know I have no more chances left and would lose everything that I have worked for and hold dear should I relapse again. That should in itself be enough to make me determined to not gamble, but it isn't. Gamble thoughts appear, what if scenarios start to creep up, and if they were to get too strong, resolve like logic goes out the window. The barriers are needed to protect us. And hopefully those marching will have their own reasons and barriers; precautions and help available if / when there are difficulties. With these and personal determination hopefully we can all make our futures gamble free - but now and again, its good to get a kick a*s reminder, so thanks Mr B.

Looking forward to the end of the year and the Big Write Up and then a fresh new one to march through. As with Mr B, this site is part of my personal determination and hope there will be a 2015 Challange & March!

Great to see all returning soldiers and ho to new ones, and sorry for the rambling above, just thought I'd concur with Mr B ~ just hope it makes sense! {I know what I mean LOL!}

Have a great GF week everyone - kind regards, Cliff

Hi all, apologies that I missed check in. Been very busy again, living the 'normal' life.

I'm not sure about the new look website yet, so I'll have a look around.

Still gambling free, only 5 weeks till our big day Mr B! 🙂

Checking in 15 days now в–Є

good morning everyone. I'm checking in on day 164 gamble free (23 weeks).

Had a fantastic weekend celebrating my 40th birthday, my daughter's 12th birthday, being gamble free and debt free!!!!

As I received quite alot of money for my birthday, my husband is looking after it for me in a savings account that he has control of so that I'm not tempted to use it for gambling. I also have too much to lose if I ever gamble again. No amount of money can replace what I would lose. Pleased to say that I am still urge free.

Well done to everyone who has taking the steps to stay gamble free whether it is 1 day or 1 year you are heading in the right direction.

Best wishes for the future everyone and remember to stay strong and together we can do it.

Day 141. Hope everyone here is well. Happy thoughts x