*** Join The Guru Challenge! ***

Checking in on 94 days.

I haven’t been on the forum as much as I would like recently, and it’s important I don’t drift away. Need to remind myself of the damage gambling has done to me as it’s easy to get complacent as the days pass by.

Day 97 checking in !!

Day 3 without a bet. Early days but feeling positive. Thank you Mixer for your ongoing support and the work you put into the challenge. I am more determined than ever to reach the status of Guru, 300 days free from gambling will be a massive accomplishment. Thank you Slot Fool for your kind words, I have just read your diary which I found very moving, you have shown so much courage, honesty and determination. Thank you Chartom for your ongoing support, it means a lot to me.

Many of us have experienced that sad emptiness of a relapse but we don't need to go through it again.

Wishing all the Guru Challengers a good gamble free weekend.

*** GURU CHALLENGE - Latest WEEKLY ROLLCALL! ***

It's Sunday, 7^th January 2018

Quick Message – don’t forget to join the 2018 Challenge. It’s not too late; now’s the best time to join.

Here we are then, at the beginning of a new year – so here’s to a happy 2018! And happier if we don’t gamble; we know it’s bad for us, so why have we been doing it, and why is it so difficult to stop? And why is it such a problem?

• We all started for very different reasons.
  • Curiosity – those adverts with big bonus opening offers seemed too good to be true (and you may even have won at first!)
  • Because others were gambling – Mates in the pub or friends were gambling – thought I’d join them
  • Escapism – Seemed like a distraction from any ‘woes’
  • Chance to make a fortune – This could’ve been an easy way to make money
  • Or some other reason. Something may have happened in our life that ‘triggered’ your first, and subsequent, gambles.

• Why is it so difficult to stop?
  • It’s everywhere – as long as I’ve got money and time, and there’s opportunity, I’m just too tempted
  • Debt – I need to get out of worsening debt; just one ‘big win’ will clear it
  • Escapism – It continues to distract me from my ‘woes’
  • It’s enjoyable – but I’m losing more than I’m winning, and, when I think about it, it’s actually more tortuous than enjoyable.
  • It’s like a ‘friend’ to me – but I can see it’s not a friend at all. It’s just a way of me handing over my money to some soulless gambling operator.

• Why is gambling such a problem?
  • It’s because we can’t stop. If we win, we keep going until we lose, and then we keep losing. In other, words, we never win.

What can we do? We can do three things.

• Admit we are compulsive gamblers; likely for life, such is the baffling nature of our condition. Therefore, a lifetime solution is necessary. We need to be determined and ready for this new phase – a better phase – in our lives.

• Seek support of loved ones and professionals (e.g Gamcare, counselling, GA etc.) as necessary. This requires honesty from us, an open admission of our problems. Professional support includes reading books from experts, discussing issues in places like Gamcare etc. In other words, anywhere we can learn about our condition and realise it will likely destroy us if we continue unabated. Counselling might draw out reasons that caused us to gamble in the first place.

• To put in place restrictions to ensure that we cannot gamble even if we wanted to do. This includes, for example, handing over financial control to a trusted friend or loved ones, self-exclusions in place at likely gambling sites, whether online or ‘bricks and mortar’, and other measures.

What about if we relapse?

• We are human. We may well relapse on this lifetime journey of going gambling-free. (I have personally relapsed many times.) Only ‘beat yourself up’ if you are going to ‘give up’ trying to go gambling free, or are not prepared to learn from the experience.
• True character is shown from those who, when they fall down, get up again, stronger. If you relapse, be honest about it, think about why it happened and think what you can learn for ‘next time’; what can make a future relapse less likely?
• Keep trying. Not only will you be wiser, you’ll be a better person each time, too.

Let’s have a great 2018 everyone. And … on with our challenge! Oh - by the way, I don't know about you, but I'm missing the Gamcare Chatroom, currently down for a couple of weeks. Here's a Temporary 'Chatroom' that you're welcome to visit, at the same Chatroom times, if you fancy a chat.

• 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!

• Are you RELAPSING? It happens, but you’ve been honest enough to admit it. Make sure you’re putting in place extra steps right now … else it will happen again and you’ll get nowhere.
• Or are you ROCKING? Still gambling free? Superb… keep living the life you should; not misery!
• Or have you RETURNED? It's always great to welcome you back.

ROLLCALL OF HONOUR

We have a new ELDER in the ranks!

Mitch91 – 100 days - ROCKING! – Absolutely delighted to congratulate you on your Gambling Free century! It’s not been easy, but you’ve seen a good three months plus gambling free, including the critical Christmas period. What a fantastic set-up for the New Year. You;ve done this with no complacency and you’ve put decent blockers in place. Our very best wishes to you as you pass this fantastic milestone, Mitch!

Our GURUs

Phil72 – 698 days – ROCKING! Hiya Phil and loved your post about the outstanding 88p debt as you come to the last of your debt repayments. Happy days ahead, and I know you’re ready for what should be good times.

Changemylife – 436 days – ROCKING! – I think I might take up jogging after you reported, after your 5k run, “more jogging = more jigging” if I’ve understood the definition of ‘jigging’ correctly J 😉

Our ELDERs

Degenerate – 285 days – ROCKING! Like you, I’m missing the Gamcare chatroom immensely; let’s hope they sort it out soon. Chatting in a forum post, like what I’ve tried to initiate, isn’t the same, especially as – take last night – it was just me there. Oh well, we’ll see what happens.

Sars27 – 219 days – ROCKING! – A very, very good build-up of GF days, and you’ve asked, what’s 2018 got in store for you? Good things, better things. Create your own luck, you create your own better pathway. That’s the game!

Rubybaby – 163 days - ROCKING! – Hope you had a great new year Ruby and you’re rocking and rolling on the GF road.

Adamjamal2014-2017 – 159 – ROCKING! – Not wishing to look too far ahead, but half a year Gambling Free beckons, Adam. One day at a time, you can pass this very important milestone.

Mixer – 149 – ROCKING! If it wasn’t for the strict financial blocks I would probably be gambling again. Whilst only having a max of a tenner on me at all times is a bit restrictive, it’s far, FAR better than the alternative. My new bank card came through the post the other day; I immediately cut it in two and passed it to the missus (my income is transferred to the joint account she handles).

Amt722 – 142 – ROCKING! – You’re exactly right, as I previously commented; titles are an irrelevance really, it’s about how we handle our commitment to going gambling free. And 142 days and counting speaks volumes.

Raj – 141 – ROCKING! – You’ve appreciated the ‘madness’ gambling causes to us, what a baffling addiction it is. But, there’s only one solution and that’s to strive to be gambling free. You’re doing just great!

4D – 123 – ROCKING! You finished 2017 in the same way you’re approaching 2018 - gambling free. How refreshing, how could it feels, to finish one year the same way the next one is starting – guilt free and the peace of mind that goes with it.

Mitch91 – 100 days - ROCKING! – Our newest ELDER settles into the ranks and, as all of us know so well, bein gambling free is such a good place to be.

Our STRIVERs

Boxingdayfresh – 98 days – ROCKING! Never forget, hitting three figures isn’t a destination, it’s a milestone. But you’re more than entitled to break open the bubbly and pour a glass as you stream past… J

Paulll – 94 days - ROCKING! You’re exactly right, it’s easy to get complacent, or think ourselves as deserving of a small ‘reward’ as we hit a milestone, but that’s just the gambling devil talking to us. We ignore this insidious creature and boot it into the back of beyond!

Velvet7 – 88 days – ROCKING! – We’re all hoping you’ve started 2018 in a better place Velvet. We’re all here, thinking about you and supporting you.

Moorey – 76 – ROCKING! – I hope you had a good Christmas and New Year, Moorey. We know this is a damned difficult addiction we have, never to be underestimated. Do get in touch when you feel ready to, my friend.

Marson123 – 70 - ROCKING! – Thank you for your update and I certainly appreciate you’re going through a bit of a rollercoaster (to say the least) what with one thing and another. Hang in there. This is one of life’s ‘tests’ that are not making things easy. We are all on your side, Ok.

Christer1 – 69 – ROCKING! – Your positive message to Abstainer (Stephen) epitomizes the attitude we have on this forum; unconditional support. It’s this spirit of togetherness that’s going to get us all through!

Vibe – 60 – ROCKING! –Haven’t heard from you since Chrimbo and here’s hoping you came through the holiday season unscathed; but, if you didn’t, we’re with you 100%, Ok.

Slotfool - 59 – ROCKING! – I’m sorry you’ve been a bit under the weather but starting to feel better again. Your gambling-free strategy is great; handing over control of the finances can be liberating – I do the same. Here’s to a great 2018 to you, Slotfool (although I don’t think you’re a fool!)

Our re-RESOLVED MEMBERS

Chartom3 (*ELDER status achieved*) – 29 – ROCKING! You have doubled, and re-doubled your efforts to remain gambling-free and that is truly to be admired, Chartom. You understand what this means; your resolve and constitution continues to grow.

NiceNormalFamily - 23 – ROCKING! – You wrote about New Years resolutions in your posts and I think you settled on the best one of all. One day at a time, remaining gambling-free. It’s often the simplest approaches that are the best, and the most powerful. I’d say you’ve got it spot-on!

Adam123 - 15 – ROCKING! – I’m genuinely delighted you’ve hit two weeks gambling free, Adam, and I hope the impetus of a New Year helps strive you to greater heights! Well done, my friend.

Abstainer (*ELDER status achieved*) - 3 - re-RESOLVED – Thank you for your kind message, Stephen, and, you know, you’ve not had it easy lately but you’re not making excuses. That’s brilliant. You know what to do and we all know, in some circumstances, it’s just not that easy. But you know the score, have such a refreshing honesty and candid nature, that it’s no surprise you’re so well-supported on these Forums. We’re all with you.

RESTING

No-one rested this week!

STATS FOR NERDS: Our totals are: 2 GURUs, 9 ELDERs, 8 STRIVERs and 4 re-RESOLVEDs; a net total of 23.

Let’s start 2018 as we mean to go on, let's keep sharing and keep strong!

And let's finish with a laugh!

*** JOKE OF THE WEEK ***

A woman noticed he r husband standing on the bathroom scale, sucking in his stomach. “Ha­­! That’s not going to help,” she said.

“It sure does,” he replies. “It’s the only way I can see the numbers!"

🙂

Checking in, 219 GF DAYS ! Let’s go!!!! Thank you very much for an awesome rollcall mixer ! Thanks for always helping us all 🙂

Thanks Abstainer; that's lovely of you to say 🙂

Thank you Mixer; great roll call as always, thanks for your kind words, I'm feeling better each day.

Have a good week fellow challengers

Thanks Mixer for your hard work on the challenge and well done all challengers. Checking in 124 days gf. My blocks are in place and I try not to worry about gambling but focus on other things. Not much to say at the moment, just trucking along 🙂

Thanks for the mention Mixer - yes I did mean jigging (as in nookie). As always you are doing a sterling job and congratulations on 150 days G.f. - the real proof that you're on the right pathway. And you don't take it for granted.. You know the score! By handing over your finances - yes it's a humble action, but you fully appreciate it is the only way.

Also love the joke about the man on the scales (it could be me!). Hey this could be the start of something here. 'joke of the week'. Not me! - well maybe..

Good morning and thank you, Mixer, for keeping this challenge going! I forgot to check in on Sunday. My day count says 25 days GF but somehow feels much longer since that last bet. No real struggle to gamble at the moment, but well aware this could change anytime. Good luck everyone!

Early/Late check in - 221 days GF going strong, I am pleased to see people racking up the days. I am looking forward to chalking 2018 off as a gamble free year. One day at a time isn't really for me - so I am looking forward to 31st December 2018.

Good evening/morning everyone! I hope you're having a good week. To everyone who's checked in 🙂 ...

Sars27 - I am absolutely delighted you are continuing this gambling free life; you are living THE life, and building up an amazing reserve so that when the rollercoaster takes a dip, as it does at times, you're ready for it. I believe, and maintain, that a recovering gambler's life is actually better than someone who has never gambled at all. Why? We really appreicate the value of things. Money? Not what we're after, certainly not for money's sake. Keep it going Sars!!!

Slot Fool - I thought your post on Abstainer's (Stephen's) thread a couple of days back was absolutely fantastic, truly. Compassion, understanding - this is the underlying spirit you have. What can I say.

4D - Trucking along is just great! Cruising down the slow/middle lane of life is just great - it's the fast lane that causes us trouble. Do we ever go in the fast lane? For sure! Life is for LIVING, but we must always boot the gambling devil into kingdom come before we strap on the seatbelt!

Changemylife - Jiggling; I thought that what you meant and I'm glad I got it right 😉 As for the joke of the week, well, good news - it's going to be a permanent fixture. I've looked at my Top 100 favourite jokes and eliminated those I can't tell in these politically-correct snowflake-laden times and the number left was ... 0. d**n. But don't worry - I'll find one!

NiceNormalFamily - Very wise words indeed - "No real struggle to gamble at the moment, but well aware this could change anytime".

We are one bet away from disaster; it really is like tipping a snowball off a snowy mountain. It ends up like an avalanche. So you are right to be on full alert. It is lovely to have you as part of our Challenge, NNF.

ItMattersMore - Setting a target of the end of 31st Dec 2018 is fantastic. You're keeping it real - I know that - and aiming for a realistic middle-term goal. I wish you well. I'm loving this sort of commitment, personally. Really liking it.

Checking in day 72 going good

Thanks Mixer, that's lovely of you to say.
9 weeks gamble free for me today
(YAY!)

Checking in on 33 dayd gf ... all good long my it continue ...

Hey Mixer I’d like to join the struggle/challenge to help refocus after a relapse of a few months last year. I’d got to 16 months GFand don’t know what caused the relapse. I last gambled on 22 December 2017 so I’m 20 days GF. Peace and GL to everyone else fighting this battle.