Calm & Confident

Hi Stephen thanks so much for a lovely post. I haven't logged in much lately but intend to check in more. I hope you are looking forward to a GF future, a birthday is an ideal milestone for fresh starts and new beginnings. Am in total agreement of the thread of life is for living, When I think back gambling caused me to just exist and I thought and worried of nothing else, such a waste. But I'm only looking forward now, take care my friend Sx

Thank you for posting on my diary Scott & Sharon. I greatly appreciate your support, advice and encouragement.

Today I have been lazily celebrating my 68th birthday but will be going out with friends on Thursday, Saturday and Sunday. I am feeling calm, reasonably contented and at peace with myself and the world around me.

My gambling days are over....stephen

I acted the fool for many a year a broken man who lived in fear

This diary helped to set me free and opened eyes that I might see

Together now with gamcare friends climbing hills and rounding bends

Heading for glory and a better life. free from torment, shame and strife

Belated happy birthday! Enjoy your celebrations and my continued thanks for your encouragement and kindness Sx

Thank you Sharon for posting on my diary. You are an absolute treasure and I greatly appreciate your support.

Hello Diary. I am definitely feeling good about my recovery and believe my time has come.

Good riddance to gambling.

I don't want you any more, I don't need you anymore and I don't like you anymore.

My name is Stephen. Gamble free and that's the way i'm going to stay.

Thanks for your kind hearted message on my diary, Stephen.

Like yourself, I’m determined to make this my time too. I’m done with gambling. It gives me absolutely nothing other than pain and anxiety.

It’s time to set ourselves free of this.

Wishing you the very best in your journey mate.

Dan

Thank you Dan for posting on my diary. I do believe you have what it takes to rediscover your life, be contented and maybe realise your full potential.

Many like Dan and myself have suffered setbacks but that is ok so long as we learn from and remedy our past mistakes. It is good to live in the present and look to the future, never giving up on our dreams and never losing hope.

"Hope is a candle - A light in the window -Showing the way for a heart to come home."

Hello Diary. No problems with gambling and pleased to report that it hasn't bothered me recently.

Having an operation on my left eye tomorrow morning (cataracts) and am feeling somewhat apprehensive. I had the right one done 6 weeks ago and that seems ok. Bit tender but the vision has improved a lot.

I will stay off my tablet for a few days to give my eye a rest...stephen

Good to hear you are doing well and feeling good about your recovery .... good luck with your operation tomorrow hope everthing goes well for you, look after youself and keep posting and be kind to yourself.

Hi Stephen, I hope your eye operation went well. Take care my friend and have a great weekend.

Pras

Thank you Chartom & Pras for posting on my diary. Congratulations to you both on having a great attitude to recovery and sticking to your resolve not to gamble. You are both setting a great example and are an inspiration to me and no doubt many others on the diaries.

Pleased to report that 2 days ago I had an operation to remove cataracts from my eye and it went very well. They are both done now and I can already see a great improvement in my eyesight. The healing will take a few weeks so just taking it easily.

I have not been troubled by thoughts of gambling recently and I have come to realise that I will never have a better opportunity to stop gambling. My time has come...stephen

Pleased to hear everything went well with the operation, Stephen.

Also pleased to hear that things are going well from a non gambling perspective too. You are an inspiration to myself and so many others on here on how to bounce back from a setback.

Keep it going mate. Enjoy reading your updates.

Dan

Hi Stephen thanks so much for your thoughtful post. So glad to hear your op went well and you are in good spirits. I have been preoccupied recently, too much work etc but am determined to have a better wotk/life balance, fun and check in here more often. Take it easy my friend Sx

Thank you Sharon & Dan. I appreciate your support.

My eyesight has improved a lot after the cataract operations and I am feeling reasonably contented. No urges to gamble, though I am always aware of my vulnerability in that respect. Hopefully my blocks and self exclusions will keep me out of mischief.

Sometimes I read on peoples diaries interesting viewpoints surrounding "Higher Powers." We all have our own personal views on such matters and are free to explore anything that might help in overcoming addictions or managing our lives in a better way. Maybe there are invisible friends, angels or spiritual guides standing in the wings, who knows? Life is indeed a mystery and things are not always what they seem!!!!!! Stephen

Works pension goes in the bank tomorrow but I have no fear and am confident that I will not return to gambling.

It is good to be gamble free and I have no desire to win or lose money. My income is adequate to pay the bills and enable me to live a happy and contented life.

It is all coming together now. The guidance, support and encouragement I have received is now at the forefront of my mind. My thanks and appreciation go to the many who have planted the seeds that would later come to bear fruit. My thanks go out to:

1/ The wonderful admin staff of GamCare who monitor my progress and tend to my needs whilst offering advice, support and encouragement.

2/ Fellow travellers in both GamCare and GA who have stood by my side on this journey to freedom. Many times I have felt weak and sometimes lost my way but their love and solidarity has lifted me up, given me strength and propelled me forward.

3/ The kind lady Greta who sat with me during 12 counselling sessions and helped to open my eyes.

4/ Friends and family who have loved me unconditionally and tried their best to help me.

5/ Friends and family who couldn't take any more of the gambling madness and said "enough is enough" as they walked out of my life.

6/ The angels who have watched over me. I don't know if Higher Powers experience emotions but if they do than the ones watching over compulsive gamblers must surely be tearing their hair out in frustration.

My name is Stephen. I am a compulsive gambler in recovery.