** GURU CHALLENGE - Latest WEEKLY ROLLCALL! ***
It's Monday, 25th December
Well, here we are, on Christmas Day; my rollcall’s a bit late, sorry about that, but better late than never! I was out and about yesterday, without the means to properly complete the task.
This is a day that means different things to different people. But to compulsive gamblers, like us, it can be a confusing time.
On the one hand, we've been handing money 'hand over fist' to bookies and gambling providers, online or in shops, pubs etc. Tons of money that is always ultimately lost. (That’s why we’re here: we realise we have to stop.)
Then, on the other hand, we see a time of year where so much money is, in our terminology, truly 'wasted'. All these presents, all this excess; we don’t really understand. I don’t know about you, but I’m of the ‘old school’ where I don’t particularly want any presents. If I need something, I buy it. I wince at every pair of Christmas socks and expensive chocolate I get. Even the lead up to Christmas, when we find ourselves spending more money that we usually would. On the face of it - thirty quid plus for the work’s Christmas dinner FFS!
So, how do we square this circle.
The answer, as I see it, is like this. Gambling skews our way of thinking. We gamble for many reasons, but, at its most basic level, it’s because we think that through ‘skill and luck’, we can beat the system and make some money for nothing. (Alas, we know we can’t do that; we lose more often than we win – again, that’s why we’re here.)
The value proposition of gambling – this is the key phase – is very low. The momentary ‘highs’ of winning are subsumed by the far more predominant ‘lows’. In other words, gambling is poor value.
But what of the gifts we buy and receive, the costs of Christmas? Well, the value proposition is much higher because of the joy to the recipients. When we buy presents, it’s because we care about what the recipient thinks – we care. It’s not the cost of the present, it’s the thought. Even when we receive what we might perceive as a c r a P, someone thought about us enough to buy it.
Even an overpriced office Christmas meal means we’re participating with the team, sharing with colleagues who are also, often, our friends. There’s value there.
In summary, there’s positive value with everything except gambling. Another reason to not bother with this extremely destructive activity.
So, enjoy the presents you’ve received, and enjoy the thought of whatever you bought. Not forgetting the best gift you can give is you being you and not the "you" being hijacked by gambling, which we know is the real waste. This is how we need to finish 2017 and start 2018: gambling free.
All-righty. How are we doing this week?
Are you RESTED? Have you disappeared from the forums for a few weeks; if so, you are taken off the Challenge. We wish you luck!
WE WELCOME!
NiceNormalFamily - A very warm welcome to you, NNL. We’ve chatted on the Chatroom recently and a pleasure it is to get to know you. You’re joining a solid, close-knit friendly group all resolved to enjoy life gambling-free. Great to have you with us!
ROLLCALL OF HONOUR
Wow - two double ELDERS this week!
ItMatters – 206 days – ROCKING! Hitting the 200 day milestone is not to be sniffed at – and we congratulate you, ItMatters. What a target to hit, and at a memorable time of year!
Sars27 – 205 days – ROCKING! – Sars, it’s wonderful to see you also hit the same milestone. Life is a rollercoaster but you’ve navigating those highs and lows with a ‘go get ‘em’ attitude. It’s good to see, it’s healthy and a win-win for you and your fabulous family!
Our GURUs
Phil72 – 685 days – ROCKING! Leading our pack, our lead GURU is keeping the faith and keeping it real. Nice one Phil!
Changemylife – 423 days – ROCKING! – Thank you for your kind words the other day. As I replied: I haven’t worked it out as much as you may have thought, but am giving it a d**n good try! And I must say, your dedication and posts are inspirational.
Our ELDERs
Degenerate – 272 days – ROCKING! It’s always great to chat you in the chatroom Degen, we often agree, sometimes don’t, but it’s always with mutual respect.
ItMatters – 206 days – ROCKING! I haven’t heard from you for a few weeks, ItMatters: but know, as I wrote last, week, you ‘pop by’ from time to time. Hope all’s well!
Sars27 – 205 days – ROCKING! – Bish Bash Bosh – what more is there to say, my man!
Rubybaby – 148 days - ROCKING! – It is so heartwarming to read of your gambling free days almost hitting the big 150 – and you do it in your own way, slowly and surely. Keep it going, Rubes - fanastic!
Adamjamal2014-2017 – 147 – ROCKING! – Your determined, balanced and mature attitude to this is noticeable and it’s this stable thought process that is really helping you Adam. This is good.
Mixer – 136 – ROCKING! I’m keeping a very tight rein of my access to cash. Rather, my wife is, and my mum as backup. That’s key on my ‘journey’. It’s working for me; it may work for you; we are all different; whatever works.
Amt722 – 130 – RO CKING! – This isn’t easy Amt but get over this Christmas ‘hump’ and you’ve proved something – that even with time off, and potential opportunity, you’ve held firm. Don’t let yourself down. I’ve a feeling you won’t. The memory of the pain, and the pain inflicted on others, is never far away in your memory banks.
Raj – 128 – ROCKING! – You’re into your exercise Raj, which is great. But when you get bored, because even the gym can get a bit same-y, make sure you’ve put blockers in place to make sure you can’t act on any temptations. Remember to change your gym routine: switching equipment/cycles/reps can liven up the routine somewhat.
4D – 110 – ROCKING! Our latest Elder is striding ahead and getting settled in; that’s great 4D! This can be done, one day at a time. Isn’t it amazing how much more we respect life as a recovering compulsive gambler? Strange but true.
Our STRIVERs
Adam808 – 89 days – ROCKING! My heart sinks a bit when members of our group lose touch. It happens. I did the same after a relapse I had earlier in the year. Hence you understand my concern! Do get in touch Adam even if you have relapsed. If you have, we are willing you on to better things as you try again.
Boxingdayfresh – 85 days – ROCKING! Thank you for your very kind posts Boxingday. By the way, I hope you reach Boxing Day tomorrow still ‘fresh’ as a daisy not gambling!
Mitch91 – 86 days - ROCKING! – Thank you for checking in and as you know all too well, this damaging habit doesn’t just affect us; it’s our loved ones too. Keep going, my friend.
Paulll – 81 days - ROCKING! Thank you for checking in Paull, and, every day, proving that your character and strategic abilities are up there. How we are, and how we do it, matters.
Velvet7 – 68 days – ROCKING! – Haven’t heard from you for a couple of weeks, Velvet, but that’s just fine. You’ve finished your shopping and hopefully enjoying the fruits of this today. That’s what it’s about!
Moorey – 62 – ROCKING! – You are living the life Moorey, a life that was closed to you whilst in the mire of gambling. You’ve hit a target but this is NOT the finishing line. It’s a stage, but a good one. The next one, I humbly suggest, is 21st March; the start of spring, a new dawn. Not too far away and, one day at a time, achievable. What do you think? Meantime, don't gamble whilst you're contemplating this suggestion 😉
Marson123 – 57 - ROCKING! – Keep strong, keep reading and keep enjoying life Marson. We’re all with you mate; we’re all settling into a good group here. Keep living the life!
Christer1 – 55 – ROCKING! – You’re putting the effort in, plus helping others on the forums which demonstrates your head-on approach to this. You recognize how important it is to stop this addiction and you’re going the right way about it.
Antics – 55 – ROCKING! – Haven’t heard from you for a couple of weeks Antics – hope all’s well and you’re still on track 🙂
Vibe – 39 – ROCKING! – I know you’re waiting for the counselling referral and I hope it’s sooner rather than later. But, if you have to wait, hold off the gambling at least until your first appointment. You owe your counsellor that much, I’d say, and I am sure you’d agree with that.
Slotfool - 46 – ROCKING! – Everything "done and dusted" for today – how organized we can be when not distracted by the ‘fug’ of gambling. You’re demonstrating all that’s good about the gambling-free life.
Abstainer (*ELDER status achieved*) - 39 - ROCKING! – It is always a pleasure both to read your diaries which I do daily, and to know you, Stephen. Refreshingly real, and refreshingly honest. Plus I love your eclectic taste in music!
re-RESOLVED MEMBERS
Chartom3 (*ELDER status achieved*) – 16 – ROCKING - ! You are back in the front seat Chartom, wiser than before, and it shows. You know what to do to get back up there. Continued respect.
06/11/17 (Previously ‘’Adam123’, Helpless‘& ‘Next Steps’) - 7 – re-RESOLVED – You continue to try to stop, Adam, and we all love a trier! I won’t give up trying to think of how we can get you a meaningful string of gambling-free days. Won’t give up – and neither should you.
STATS FOR NERDS: We have welcomed one new member this week, no-one’s ‘rested’, making our weekly total 2 GURUs, 8 ELDERs, 13 STRIVERs and 3 NEW MEMBERS / re-RESOLVEDs; a net total of 26.
Right, That’s it for this week. It’s Christmas Day, of course. Just another day in non-gambling terms, remember: there’s no special dispensation for us to buckle today – that’s just the gambling demon talking as we well know.
But it is Christmas Day – and however you’re enjoying this day, whatever you’re up to: take care, peace to you all and I toast your – and your loved ones - health and happiness. And let's not forget the good people at Gamcare who support these diaries and Chatrooms providing consistently high quality, empathetic support. They deserve a 'Cheers' from us, too!
(Right. Where are my Christmas bottles of ales - a very thoughtful present indeed. It's time for me to acquaint ... 🙂 )
Let’s keep strong; keep sharing and keep strong!
Mixer and Athena, your hosts for this challenge.
Merry Christmas Mixer .. thanks for the Christmas update - your commitment to running this challenge and leading this is amazing !
Good health and happiness to you too
Thank you Mixer. A proud if irregular member of the guru gang!
Thanks Mixer again for the time and effort you put into the weekly rollcall, especially over Christmas,great reading as usual and thanks for the mention always spurs me on,same as above proud to be a member of the guru gang also.
Checking in 59 gfree well how nice this Christmas it is to feel good bout how I'm doing. Gd luck to all u others out there
Checking In, heading for a bullseye
Hey Guys..checking in..not gambled a single penny..I only have regrets but must move forward. Keep strong and gambling free!
Checking in on 20 days gamble free .... no desire to gamble still right now long may it continue
87 days gamble free.
Thanks for checking in everyone ... keep strong ... full update tomorrow!
Don't forget the new 2018 Challenge; the best time to join is now - let's see us all aim for a better 2018. I'm in!!
Abstainer checking in 44 days back on the recovery road. Wishing all the Guru Challengers contentment and happiness in the new year and a gamble free 2018 to follow.
Thankyou Mixer for all your help and support during 2017.
Checking in for the last time this year ! Thanks for taking the lead mixer my man ! 2017 you’ve been an eye opener ! Next year would be even better as I will remain GF for real ! Love and respect to all 🙂
Sars
91 days and Happy New Year to Everyone.
** GURU CHALLENGE - Latest WEEKLY ROLLCALL! ***
It's Sunday, 31st December 2017
*** Quick Message – don’t forget to join the 2018 Challenge. Now’s the best time to join! ***
Welcome, friends. Here we are, at the top of the year, at a time when many of us reflect on a year just gone, and everything that’s happened. Just for a moment, it’s worth allowing the mind to wander. Do you recall this time last year? Were you gambling? Were you gambling-free? How were things?
Without dwelling, how are things today – right now? I’m assuming – and I’ve not checked yet – that you’re maintaining a gambling-free lifestyle, day to day. Are things better? Sure, life will always do what life does; but generally speaking. Do you feel better? Are those around you happier, because you’re happier?
I’m not saying life necessary a bed of roses; many of us have debts to sort out. But we’re sorting them out. Many of us have relationship, and other, issues, that may have been directly/indirectly impacted by the scourge of gambling. But we’re starting to rationalise and deal with these too.
A compulsive gambler is a bit like an old thick price of rope that’s got entangled – loose, old threads everywhere. It takes time and effort to unpick those knots, but we can make solid and continued progress if we keep on the gambling free path. Will we eventually be totally unknotted? I suspect there will always be a few tangled threads; that’s the bit of us that’s susceptible to a relapse. But it’s good because it keeps us alert to this unpleasant prospect, and it keeps us untangling.
Let’s keep untangling as we hit 2018. We are a ‘work in progress’ – chipping away at that ‘lump of rock’ gambling made us. Chip, chip, chip – slowly, we’re starting to ‘see ourselves’ once more. Let’s keep at it.
Ok. On with the show!
Are you RESTED? Have you disappeared from the forums for a few weeks; if so, you are taken off the Challenge. We wish you luck!
ROLLCALL OF HONOUR
BULLSEYE – Two of us have hit the nifty-fifty!
Vibe – 53 – ROCKING! – It’s great see you hit 50 days; it means two monthly paydays – assuming you’re salaried – successfully negotiated.
Slotfool - 52 – ROCKING! – And likewise, Slotfool; what a great start to 2018. Starting from a meaningful total – a total that shows you mean business.
Our congratulations to you both.
Our GURUs
Phil72 – 691 days – ROCKING! Hey Phil and it’s great to have you as our lead Guru challenge member leading the pack! Will catch up with you in chat very soon J
Changemylife – 429 days – ROCKING! – Loving your recent post which you said you’re looking forward to the New Year with … “optimism, excitement, enterprise and happiness”. And so say all of us!
Our ELDERs
Degenerate – 278 days – ROCKING! Always keeping it real as your recent posts testify. As you say: I will not win cos I will not stop. And it’s as straightforward as that.
Sars27 – 212 days – ROCKING! – What a ray of sunshine you’ve been here on the forums and diaries this year; always ground in reality and always striving to have a good time with your fabulous family! You got it!
Rubybaby – 156 days - ROCKING! – We all hope you had a fantastic Christmas and it’s gonna be a fabulous, focused 2018 right!
Adamjamal2014-2017 – 153 – ROCKING! – Delighted to read you’ve hit 5 months gamble free. As you’ve said: “That's 5 full wages spent on myself, family and restoring my finances.” Great words; you know what matters.
Mixer – 142 – ROCKING! I’ve kept gambling free till my initial target; this Christmas. But I have to continue. Living life, or guaranteed misery? That’s what it boils down to.
Amt722 – 136 – ROCKING! – Excellent progress Amy722 and you’re not about to stop now. How you write your posts shows your resolve. I can read between the lines and can see your true resolve here.
Raj – 128 – ROCKING! – Not dwelling and keeping on the only road out of Gamblesville and into the Thrillsville of life itself. Keeping your eyes on the road ahead – keep it going, nice and steady, Raj!
4D – 116 – ROCKING! - Yes, what a way to finish the year 4D! Focused, keeping right on track and, given in life we ‘reap what we sow’, you carry on like this and you’ll carry on reaping.
Our STRIVERs
Boxingdayfresh – 91 days – ROCKING! Thank you, as always, for your kind words BoxingDay. Having hit Boxing Day, and still fresh, I know you’re ready for the next milestone – one year hence!
Mitch91 – 93 days - ROCKING! – Here’s hoping you had a great Christmas Mitch, and, with the financial control controls you’ve put in place, every chance of a great New Year, too!
Paulll – 88 days - ROCKING! Delighted to see you hit 88 days, Paul; I know you’ve had the odd potential ‘wobble’ but you’ve righted yourself before you went Pete Tong – keep building that resolve and resistance.
Velvet7 – 82 days – ROCKING! – I am so sorry to hear you’re not having a good time right now, Velvet. We are all with you, your team mates and friends here. Your continued non-gambling, in the face of so much going on, is testament to the character you are showing. We are thinking of you, Velvet.
Moorey – 70 – ROCKING! – It’s not easy this Morrey but, by hell, are you digging in here mate. It’s truly wonderful to see and you’re setting yourself up for a year that could really be your year, Moorey!
Marson123 – 63 - ROCKING! – Full understanding and respect that you’ve got a lot going on right now Marson, and hoping life’s treating you well as we bid farewell to 2017.
Christer1 – 62 – ROCKING! – Always taking each day as it comes which is considered a good, solid way to approach a gambling-free way of life. If we approach our addiction realistically, then we’ll get a realistic result; which, with determination, support and a good practical statregy in place, will be a positive one.
Vibe – 53 – ROCKING! – Thank you for checking in a few days back and it’s great to see you’re keeping on the good path. This is the right direction for you and everyone who cares about you – it’s the only win-win!
Slotfool - 52 – ROCKING! – A real joy to see you hit this meaningful milestone Slotfool – you know it matters and what a platform to build on for 2018.
Abstainer (*ELDER status achieved*) - 45 - ROCKING! – I always enjoy visiting your diary, as you know, and looking forward to some great chats over the year ahead; they’ll be plenty 🙂
NEW & re-RESOLVED MEMBERS
Chartom3 (*ELDER status achieved*) – 22 – ROCKING - ! You are exactly right, Chartom – it really is time to let go of the past, unshackle that ball and chain and be free of this. And you are free from the moment you say: “I’m not gambling today’”. You’ve done it before; you can, and will, do it again. Thank you for your kind words, as always.
NiceNormalFamily - 16 – ROCKING – Our newest member of the gang has hit sweet 16 days gambling free today! That’s great, NNF, and the foundation stone on which to step as we hit the new year – 2018’s gonna be a good ‘un, right?
Adam123 - 8 – re-RESOLVED – You’re continuing to have a go, Adam, and all credit for that. My New Year’s wish would be for you to hit STRIVER (30 days) in 2018. What do you say 🙂
RESTING
Antics – RESTING – I’m resting you, Antics, but you’re welcome back on board anytime – just give the word.
Adam808 – RESTING – Sadly, having to rest you, Adam, but am crossing my fingers you’ll hit 100 days shortly, but, if not, remember we’re all with you, my friend – we’re all on a journey to better things and sometimes, we stumble. Keep in touch if you can.
ItMatters – RESTED – I’m, with reluctance, resting you ItMatters; but hope you’re keeping Ok and you are welcome back any time. Just give me the word!
STATS FOR NERDS: Three of our team have been rested this week. Our totals are: 2 GURUs, 8 ELDERs, 10 STRIVERs and 3 NEW MEMBERS / re-RESOLVEDs; a net total of 23.
Have a fantastic New Year’s Eve everyone!
And let’s start 2018 as we mean to continue: gambling free!
Let’s keep strong; keep sharing and keep strong!
Mixer and Athena, your hosts for this challenge.
Checking in with 16 GF and to wish you all Happy New Year. May 2018 be better for all of us and our loved ones.
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