Give peace a chance

Thankyou Matt & Sharon. I really liked Spotify, when I was holidaying my brother in law put me on his account for my stay, brilliant instant access to loads of great music. Sharon you are spot on as always, it's not always easy but every day gamble free is a step in the right direction.

Dear Diary. Day 126 of my glorious quest. Late posting today as I've been out and about, no urges to gamble but I rarely get them nowadays. Saddens me to think what an idiot I've been in the past, but I'll just have to live with that and get on with my life.

For a long time now I have wanted to break free from the gambling addiction that controlled me, it has influenced every aspect of my life in a very negative way.

My music choice today is ' I want to break free ' by Queen.

Hi Abstainer,

A classic song choice; especially loud and in digital!

I take all your points re: the Gambling Free Arms and respect your 27 years off the sauce.

Incidentally ... I'm drinking a lot less since being Gambling Free - I keep a daily tally at the moment - and I'm averaging 8 pints a week. Drinking spurred my gambling, and I'm fast realising I need neither.

Mixer Woods is always open, Abstainer, and a warm welcome assured. It's part of the life affirming world we all want to, and being gambling free, all belong.

Morning Diary. 127 Days GF. Feeling on top of the world today which is the way I like to feel. Some days I feel tired and miserable but I keep smiling, as my recovery takes shape I can hopefully address my emotional ups and downs.

Was reading an article on gambling in Ecuador. Once a gambling hotspot which boasted many grandiose casinos and numerous betting centres. In a referendum in 2011 the people voted to outlaw gambling, the following year gambling was made illegal. It was a brave move by the government as it put 25,000 people out of work and they made a few enemies.Since than gambling has dried up throughout the country. Online gambling with foreign sites is still fairly popular, but not to the same level that casinos and betting centres were.

My music choice today is ' Ecuador ' by Sash - It's not in english but is a lively piece that sounds better with a bit of volume. My tribute to the people of Ecuador.

Glad your feeling great today Stephen 🙂 it must be that Friday feeling.. only a wonderful weekend to go before your new creative writing course starts!!! Exciting times ahead..

Hi Stephen

I had no idea that Ecuador was a gamble free zone, so I have learnt something today. I used to love Sash in my "clubbing" days as ateenager and early twenties. Now that song will have a little extra meaning. That track was on the Album "It's My Life", quite APT I would say. Maybe you should create an actual playlist of all the songs you document here titled the same?

Take care

Matt

Hi Stephen following on here with another Queen classic 'Don't stop me now' fantastic song with relievent sentiments!! I'm taking on board that everyday GF is a good day, Have a great weekend S:)

Thankyou for the posts, greatly appreciated.

Wai..... Lovely to see your words of wisdom popping up here and there, you seem to have everything in place now for a successful recovery and your positivity is heartwarming. I believe you will be 50 days GF on wednesday, hope thats right as I don't want to let the fireworks off on the wrong day.

Matt..... I imagine the club scene of the nineties was something really special, there was some really great music.

Sharon.....Totally agree with you regarding ' Don't stop me now' by Queen. Brilliant music that motivates and inspires, voted the greatest driving song ever by Top Gear viewers in 2005, used in several films and television programs. However when the song was written by Freddie in 1979 he was at his hedonistic peak, promiscuous and heavily into drugs, the message in the lyrics being that he was invincible and could throw caution to the wind. His friend and fellow band member Brian May has said in interviews they were very worried about Freddie at the time the song was written. Sadly Freddie passed away in 1991.

I am choosing ' Don't stop me now ' by Queen as my music choice for today . It is motivating and sends out a defiant message to the addiction that our gambling days are over. HOWEVER it is also a warning and a reminder that if I did relapse than the addiction would be singing the very same lyrics back at me as it emptied my pockets into the fobt machine.

I am Stephen, I must never get complacent. I know I will always be just one bet away from disaster.

Hi Abstainer, a great song choice for today and yes, a note of caution because of there is a double-edged sword; if we gamble "are we having such a good time?". No - it's not, it's the reverse because the consequences will be utter misery.

I have vowed not to gamble today. I have blocks in place to make sure it cannot happen! I will be out with my son with £20 on me, and we'll have a great time out and about. He'll get my full attention, not some morose self-loathing shell.

So here's to a great Saturday, Abstainer. To a life we're respectfully asking for, and deserve!

Thankyou for the wise words Mixer, hope you had a great day out with your son.

Hello Diary, everything going to plan. With a sense of awe I look at my profile page and the 129 days staring back at me. What started as a dream is slowly becoming a reality. A gamble free life is right there with my name on it.

My choice of music today is 'Over the rainbow & what a beautiful world' by Israel Kamakawiwo'ole. The Eva Cassidy version is also a good listen.

Somewhere over the rainbow - Bluebirds fly - And the dreams that you dream of - Dreams really do come true.

.....and there is inspiration in a nutshell 'a dream becoming reality' so incredibly pleased for you Stephen. You are so kind and encourageing to others #legend! Have a great Sunday S:)

Might I add a couple of classic 'Films of the Day', Abstainer.

Casablanca and It's a Wonderful Life. What do you think?

All the very best to you; as always.

Hi Stephen. I'm so pleased that you have continued to abstain, but I never had any doubt. This forum works perfectly for many of us because of the clearly defined level of progress achieved, and the personal, meaningful support from newly formed friendships.

You seem to be coping well with the ups and downs of recovery. Smiling and positive, despite the detrimental losses in the past.

Music certainly seems to be your tonic. Listening to wonderful lyrics and sweet melodies lifting your spirits, inspiring you further.

Thankyou for the kind words, always appreciated.

Sharon...Thankyou, had a great day sunday. Good to enjoy life without thoughts of gambling spoiling everything.

Mixer.....Them films really are a couple of classics. Seventy plus years on and people are still watching and enjoying them.

Changemylife......Sorry for mixing up the letters but your profile picture is a scrabble board !

Sa ouy os lghrity topin tuo, het GmaCrea roappach ot ervocyer cetrniayl eessm ot eb kowrgni rof em. I difn eht tsppuro fo sdneirf yerv sonperal nda gnillufneam. Eepk gnisilm ta lestruob soc bourtsel rea lsebbbu nda ubbbesl lliw noso lbwo wyaa.

Morning Diary 130 Days GF. Just been reading a recent post from Who am I to Sharon, in it she rights ; "We all have the answers inside ourselves, it is just having the energy and focus to unleash them".

My music choice today is ' The voice within ' by Christina Aguilera. When there's no one else, look inside yourself - Like your oldest friend, just trust the voice within - Than you'll find the strength that will guide your way - You'll learn to begin to trust the voice within.

That's a beautiful song,Abstainer, have just listened to it.

I believe our inner voice is our consience, our instinct, and a voice we can trust. It's the 'other' voice, that cunning, sneery, voice we need to watch out for, the one that leads us down the wrong road. But we can tell the difference and instantly give that false voice it's marching orders whenever it makes an unwanted appearance.

130 days today; and I just know you're starting to think about Day 131 tomorrow. And, tomorrow morning, reaffirming why you're doing this. And allowing yourself a cautious smile because you know what a fantastic choice it is!

Hi Stephen, thanks for your post....I'm not just saying this but I can't think of anyone more suitable for this course! Your way with words shines out with talent, they will be so glad you'very signed up I'm sure. Really hope you enjoy it, do update us afterwards. Take care S:)