2014 Challenge

Evening everyone!

Well today is Day 365 - a day I've been looking forward to being over if I'm honest - 12 months ago today was one of the worst I've had in recent years.........however, every single one of you that has posted today, yesterday and every single day this year offering me support and encouraging me on my journey........well, I can't offer sufficient thanks. Tomorrow was going to be my day of celebration, but not any more.......although I will celebrate then too!

I've not had as emotional today in a long long time, but instead of tears of misery, today has been about happy tears. Some of your posts have reduced me to a real wreck, but in a nice way! In a way I'm speechless and a bit disbelieving about the things you've all said...........in another way I'm truly humbled............in all ways I am so appreciative. The fact you have taken time out of your busy days and posted what you have posted - you will never ever know how much it has meant to me and my family.

I am immensely proud to have gone a year free from gambling. However, the feeling of satisfaction is far greater from the friendships, hope, future and inspiration that I get from the group of people who have come, gone and still exist on this forum. While I hope to meet some of you (Mike, that offer of a beer and reflection is one that I want to arrange!), it's inevitable that I won't............however, I just want every single one of you to know that you have personally and collectively had a huge influence in my journey..............my short term past and more importantly, my long term future. Thank you. I will cherish serving you for another few weeks.........and then I will gladly deputise from time to time for Phil.........who I am over the moon has offered to keep this Challenge going into 2015.........Phil.....we'll need to meet up in January, of course for a handover (but mainly for beer consumption and Choclate Eclair distribution........you don't know the trouble you've caused with Mrs B!! 🙂 )

Without making this an undeserved Oscar speech, it would be wrong for me to close out this special post without thanking a few very very important people. My amazing wife who has been through hell because of me in the last 2 years - I'm sorry, but once again you saved me, thankyou. My phenomenal mum and dad - you never bailed me out financially, you bailed me out with love, advice, a home and prayer. You taught me so much in the last year....on top of the 41 before that. I will never be able to pay any of the 3 of you back for all you've done and continue to do for me, but I'll never stop trying - I love you all with all my heart.

Right, heading to bed to fall asleep without a worry.....to wake up on Day 366.........a new start, a new challenge and a new life. I love it.

Thanks again you big bunch of amazing people.

Tony.........'cos I'm Mr Brightside...........and I'm checking in one year free from gambling 🙂

YESSSSSSSSSSSSS!!!!!!!

Now thats what I'm talking about Tony!!

🙂

Hi Tony,

A big fat congratulations to you on passing one year of abstaining and maintaining.

It really is a massive achievement for you, well done Mr B

Suzanne xx

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  	      o   *  .    *                Cheers Tony!   Many many congratulations on your fabulous one year milestone.
  	
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  	       (________)                  And Phil - so heartwarming to read your post - it would be wonderful if you could take
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  	       | o    o |                  over the reins from Mr B.   
  	
  	       |   o    |                  Checking in on my Day 282.
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Sorry peeps my previous post was supposed to have a picture of a glass of bubbly but it didn't quite come out as expected - anyway you get the idea Tony - cheers!

Hi guys

another busy week at work! Would just like to say a personal congratulations to Mr B on gaining the 1 year milestone, the first of many I hope for you. If it wasn't for you on this forum with the 2014 challenge, how many of us would possibly be attempting to battle this alone! The guys I speak to always say it's a talking illness so we need somewhere to get everything off our chest!

Would like to to finish off by saying congratulations to Mr B once more.

Congratulations Mr B think it's absolutely amazing what you have done and i can't thank you enough for setting up this forum, i know for sure i couldn't of made the last 6 months without you, checking in think i am day 190, thanks again Mr B you are an inspiration, thank you so much

i only am checking in about once a month but still 13 months without a single bet and in a much better financial position because of it.

Checking in GF on the eve of 10 weeks.

Huge congratulations, if somewhat belated, to Mr B on the first of many anniversaries. A massive well done.

Take care all

M

Checking in early as heading to Belfast tomorrow to visit one of my childhood friends for the weekend.

Congratulations to everyone who have hit milestones, personally last week was the 1 month mark for me and i can say this is probably the longest period i have went GF in the last 4-5 years!

Evening everyone - just a flying visit and sadly no time to update the front page this evening.......will do that tomorrow. Nightmare in work this week..........never good when a 3 metre high, 3 ton piece of kit falls over.........thankfully no one injured......or worse.

3 reasons for dropping in tonight........and all of them start with Congratulations........

SuzyLemon........6 months gamble free today Suzy - how incredible is that? What a brilliant milestone to be hitting and one that should most definitely be giving you the confidence that you are the winner now. Super soldier, great role model, amazing to be marching with you.......so so chuffed Suzy - be proud!!

mrt1969 - big congrats to you as well mrt on your milestone today..........I'm utterly convinced that you have navigated the choppiness of the waters now, but like the rest of us the water will never be calm to allow the plain sailing. You're doing amazingly well mrt and like with Suzy, my personal journey would never have been as successful so far without guys like you at my side.

Finally...........a bit premature...........but I just wanted to get it in first.............

Happy Days...........Mike............your day has almost arrived. For every soldier in this challenge, tomorrow is no longer Fri-day, it is Happyday in honor and celebration of our esteemed colleague and friend Mike who will celebrate 1 year free from gambling. You are our longest serving soldier in the challenge now.........I don't think you've ever missed a check in...........you have supported like very few others have........and you have shown the way through the good and the tough times. The beer we've spoken about needs to happen. I'm seriously delighted for you Mike and would thank you for everything you've brought to this challenge over the year. You've been an inspiration to me and many many others - you've made 2014 your life changing year. I'm so so proud to call you a friend and a colleague......and hope that our paths will be one for a long time to come. Happy Happyday Mike......congratulations brother.

Keep strong everyone and keep believing you can achieve great things by stopping.

Mr Brightside

Checking in 54 days gamble free today.
Keep going soldiers.
Mba

Hi all,

Checking in 26 days free. It will be 4 weeks on Sunday - time has flown by since then.

Really determined to see this year out without any more gambling.

Congratulations Happy Days on your one year milestone. Abstaining and maintaining for a whole year is an amazing achievement,

Suzanne xx

Wanted to say a massive well done and thankyou to Mr B for this thread, haven't always checked in but as my recovery has gone on for longer I'm finding it more and more useful - I think at the start it's the negatives that really help you not gamble, this thread, and time has helped me also see the positives. Feel more in control than at any time for the last 18 months but very aware of how quickly that can slip!

5 days away from 3 months gamble free for me.

Keep going and well done everybody. Keep your barriers up , keep your goal in mind and please don't spoil christmas by slipping up now. I know you can all do it and keep smashing this into 2015!