28th October marked 28 years since I stopped drinking alcohol. That had really messed up my life and stopping it brought about a profound and positive change in me.
It is over 17 years since I stopped smoking. Sadly it has left me with COPD but had I not stopped I would now be in a right sorry state.
Gambling has been the hardest thing to overcome but I have now resigned it to the past. Knowing my own mind I feel confident in saying that I will not gamble again. Life is a gamble in itself and I will enjoy the thrill of just being alive, having fun and exploring the world around me....stephen
I am Stephen, a compulsive gambler in recovery. Every day I struggle with negative thoughts and emotions but am persevering with 2 buddhist mantras which I chant silently in my mind regularly throughout the day.
1/ .... "Nam Myoho Renge Kyo" is a means of asking the divine source to reduce my suffering by eradicating negative karma along with reducing karmic punishments both from previous and present lifetimes. The goal is to attain perfect and complete awakening. The mantra has also become a universally recognised prayer for peace which is chanted on peace walks.
2/ ...GoddessTara is often referred to as the mother of all buddhas. She is extremely powerful, compassionate and very forgiving. Chanting her mantra: "Om Tare Tutare Ture Soha" can be calming and it also helps protect the mind from negative thoughts and vibrations whilst generating inner peace and clarity.
Generally speaking, life has treated me kindly over the years. There has been plenty of ups and downs but that is all part of the adventure. Most of the unpleasantness has been been brought about by my own greed, selfishness and cowardice.
It would be true to say that I have been my own worse enemy.
The Buddha once said: "It is better to conquer yourself than to win a thousand battles. Then the victory is yours. It cannot be taken from you."
You keep on battling each day.
How are you doing?
Bella xx
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