Festina Lente

Day 54 (I think), today I'm not going to gamble. I've got money, not much (don't ask to borrow) but its staying in my pocket. I've got everything I need for today. I'll not try to add excitement to my day by gambling, how lazy is that, too easy. I'll not self destruct or gamble because I think I've got nothing else to lose. I'll not gamble because I've got everything to gain. Take care all, keep strong, Steve.

Hi Steve

Well done you! Not long now till 9 and half weeks and a date with Mickey.. opps sorry I mean Kim!

Hope the flies aren't bothering you too much and that the sunburn has turned to tan!

Keep going mate, you're doing great!

LMM

HI Ste,

Well done on the 54 days, Im glad you took the advice about Kim, let her jiggle what ever she wants at you lol, your staying away and keeping your money in your pocket where it belongs.

Enjoy your day ste.

Blondie day 36

Hi Steve, a massive congrats on bein 54 days clean, how amazing is that ? You should be so proud of yourself, and I love your comment about being lazy and using gambling as the easy option. What a great way to look at it, it a quote that will stick with me, thanks friend.:)

Your doing an incredible job, and I wish you well in all you do, both now and in the future.

All the Best

Cameron

Hi Steve,

Well done on the 54 days gamble free, u r doing brilliant!

U give me hope 🙂

Stay strong and keep going 🙂

Just saw one of my old mates from the bookies. He didn't see me thank goodness because he was once a proud man. He's decent in every way but a cg through and through. He must have found a shopping trolley dumped (people take them to push home their shopping, don't ask me why) anyway he was pushing it back to collect the pound before slipping off into nearby bookies. This is what gambling does to you, bit by bit, until you have no pride. When your in it's grip you don't see yourself stooping so low. Where does it end? Some cg only a youngster, not very decent, got eight years for manslaughter last week. He lost 2 grand on a fobt then several hundred the next day. He then walked into a newsagent by where I live and robbed it, he left with buttons but not before stabbing the shopkeeper in the neck, he died. Not saying for a second that gambling drove this kid to murder, he was a proper scumbag anyway and probably didn't need much of an excuse but gambling certainly didn't help the situation. Nothing but bad comes from gambling, there are a million things more constructive we could do with our time, yet it's still very difficult. All I want is peace of mind now, to be happy and grateful with what I've got. You really don't need much in life, your health obviously, your pride, your honour. All of these I can get by not gambling everyday (mental health gets better/stable). If you have friends then that's good, if you still have family so much the better. If you didn't gamble today, well done, life will smile on you and you're in a better position for what the day throws at you. I never gambled today, I chose not to, my day wasn't thrilling, exciting, manic or miserable, it was just a normal, everyday day and I'm thankful. Keep strong one and all, Steve.

Hi Steve, thanks for your post on mine. It makes me feel very humble to think that my posts are helping you, I never saw myself in that light.

Thank you friend, your words mean a lot.

You are doing a brilliant job of staying gamble free, its such a great feeling when the first thing you DO'NT think about is gambling.

You are making all the right choices my friend, ones that are setting you up for a fantastic gamble free future.

Thanks for your concern re my health, Im doin ok, its no big deal, but I must say its a condition that gambling certainly did not help.

Stay strong friend and keep on posting,

Have a good gamble free evening

All the Best

Cameron

Hi Cameron, I haven't gambled for 55 days but I couldn't, I honestly couldn't have done it without reading your posts and others too. I don't exactly know why this is. The way some people, against all the odds take on this addiction with such bravery and determination is inspiring. I think, if they can do it, then surely I must keep trying. It's great as well when you read how some people have turned their lives around or have embarked on that journey to turn it around. I always felt alone gambling, my hidden secret, could never talk about it, too ashamed. Here I know that so many people have experienced what I have and I can talk about my gambling experiences without being judged. So Cameron because of you and all the others I am keeping strong, you are all my greatest barrier. Together we stand. Take care Steve.

I won't bet today because I desperately want to get to 9 1/2 weeks.

Hello Steve

I have spent the last 2 hours pretty much going through your journey, well done for far you have gone, and who you are becoming, you truly are an inspiration to us, thanks for your posts and your advice, all taken to heart, it resonated within me and I am starting the initial 40 day journey today, not sure what to give up along side the gambling, but if that is all I give up, it should be more than worth it.

For me I have no intention of gambling today, I guess over the next few weeks, will need to start dealing with all the other stuff that got neglected through gambling, the problems gambling has caused and the things that led me to gambling in the first place, keep going strong and have a blessed day,

John

Hello Steve,

Hope you had a good day thanks for popping by, John

Thanks Ade and John, glad you're both doing so well. Good day for me so far, no urge to gamble, had a lovely swim, feeling stronger by the day. Received a 'Private and Confidential' letter today, hoping It was confirmation that I'm the long lost love child of the Queen, but alas it wasn't to be. Instead it was a 'posh' flyer for a tipping service. Usually it'd entice me, even though deep down you know they're a rip off, you just can't help but get sucked in. 'oh' you convince yourself 'there's going to be a major sting in a few days and these unknown, kind strangers have out of the goodness of their hearts, decided to let me in on it.' gambling makes you stupid, prevents you seeing the truth. Wasn't bothered this time, opened the letter just enough to see John Francombes fuzzy mullet and his happy go lucky grin which was enough to file this letter in the bin, where it belongs.

Just as well it wasn't the Queen come to think of it, from what I've heard she's heavily into the gee gees, she's bound to lead me astray. This time next week I'd be lumping in with the crown jewels at *** *** just to see me straight for the 5:15 at Southwell.

Used to dream about gambling, more anxiety than pleasure. Haven't done so for a long time, my mind is becoming calmer. Feel more in control now which is good.

8 weeks today, that's nearly 2 lunar months. Never in my wildest dreams thought I'd get this far. Really, does seem like 5 minutes ago I was caught up in the mania of gambling. Life isn't perfect, it's just more ordinary and I'm in a better position to cope.

Fished through the night the other day, so peaceful, animals all around, strange noises in the undergrowth (probably Ray Mears eating everything in sight) came face to face with a big dog fox as well, majestic, I love nature. Apart from horse flies and slugs (greedy molluscs, cabbages ruined)

Off to a fishing match later, very excited, to months ago I wouldn't have bothered, not whilst I had money in my pocket.

Ta ta all , stay strong, keep determined, baby steps. Steve.

Great post Steve, 2 months out of your life and you have turned the whole thing around. An amazing accomplishment my friend, I applaud you.

Enjoy the fishing today, weather up here is perfect for the fish. All the Best

Cameron

Your posts do make me laugh Ste.

Still chuckling at ray mears eating everything in site, and im sure queenie will appreciate the mention lol.

Good luck with the fishing , its so nice when we start doing the things we used to love before gambling consumed our minds and our lives.

Your doing so well ste.

Blondie day 38 x

Hi Steve, thanks for your reply. Im glad it kinda helped you to know that we gamblers share so many things. We all seem to have HAD the same insecurities, (please note the past tense) and it is with pride that we can walk tall, and hold our own no matter where we are or who we're with. Keep going friend, your worth it.

Cameron

Hi ya,

If this catches you in time,and you have not wormed your way out of it.

Have a great night fishing, try to hock up with you laters ................

( sprinkled just a little to make sure there all biggens)

Dusty xxxxxx