Give peace a chance

Thankyou changemylife. Congratulations on 330 days GF. No doubt about it, whilst in addiction our brains do seem to be scrambled up with crazy ideas. However you have a good understanding of the addiction and a desire to redefine your life so your progress is very positive. A great example to others in recovery.

My thoughts today are with the partners of compulsive gamblers, when I reflect on the heartache I caused my loved ones it is difficult to accept and take in. As a compulsive gambler it is all about me me me. I am sorry - I wont do it again - I was trying to win to give us a better life etc etc.etc. I remember one time my wife asking me for some reassurance that everything would be ok, I couldn't or wasn't prepared to give her that. Our life was unraveling and people would ask 'how is stephen', my wife wondered why people didn't ask how she was feeling. Whilst everyone is showing concern for the sad compulsive gambler, the partner has to cope the real issues: 1/ Accept the lies, deceit, and feelings of betrayal. 2/ Reassure worried children. 3/ Support the miserable gambler who may or may not regret his/her actions, maybe just feeling sorry for his/her self because of the loss. 4/ Making sure bills are paid and having to manage the families finances. The list is endless.

My choice of music today is I will survive by Gloria Gaynor. At first I was afraid, I was petrified -- Kept thinking I could never live, without you by my side -- But I spent so many nights, thinking how you did me wrong -- And I grew strong and, I learned how to get along. The song can be sung by the partner or by the compulsive gambler but hopefully in some cases they can hold hands and sing it together.

Beautifully said Stephen.

'I will survive by Gloria Gaynor. The song can be sung by the partner or by the compulsive gambler but hopefully in some cases they can hold hands and sing it together'.

So glad to hear you don't feel isolated anymore, the support and understanding we find here is fantastic. 'I will survive ' is up there in my favourites. Have a great weekend take care S:)

May I echo fellow abstainers: a terrific post, Stephen; we think we've got problems but our partners - who never asked for this - have worse.

So let's toast our partners today, good call. Being GF means they are always in our thoughts; because are back in the 'real world', we can be ourselves once more, and be the partners they deserve.

Changelife, Whoami, Sharon, Stephen - all together, We will survive, we are strong, we're learning how to get along.

It matters. We matter. We all matter 🙂

Who am I - Sharon - Mixer.... thankyou so much for the support. With friends like you alongside me the addiction has no chance of beating me this time.

Hello Diary. Bit weary this morning, dancing my socks off last night. 5 Rhythm Dance with DJ Neil Pinnock from Birmingham, it was a dance for peace, it means leaving any inhibitions at home and giving it everything you've got ( a lot of fun ). Tonight it's our monthly 5 Rhythm Dance with DJ Eliza Bouwens from Leeds, here is a part of the e mail she sent which I think says it like it is. Bring your prayers to the dancefloor. In a world full of fear and chaos it's very easy to lose yourself and feel scattered around physically and emotionally. Come together to create a wave of prayers. May it be prayers for yourself, for the people around you, for the earth, for the world. Let your dance be an initiation for your prayers. Little seeds of ideas plant them into movement through your body to root yourself.

My music choice today is by a lady who has had a torrid time over the last few years and who suffers from anxiety and depression. Praying by Keshe. she said about the song " I hope this song reaches people who are in the midst of struggles, to let them know that no matter how bad it seems now, you can get through it."

A very good evening to you, Stephen. I'm listening to Keshe's track, sinking in the words. The way she sings... really reveals her soul.

Shoulder to shoulder, Sharon, Me, You and select others support ourselves on this journey. It's enlightening, revealing, saddening in parts, happy in others (are we "allowed" to be happy? Yes, but we are, by our recovering gambling nature, naturally cautious about this coveted emotion).

And here we are, Monday tomorrow. Another day of life. Living the dream; our 'golden ticket' we've been given on this planet!

I have a fair to reasonably interesting story about my one visit to Hull, btw, Stephen - I'll tell it in a future post 🙂

All the best, Stephen, Sharon - here's to a good week ahead!

Thanks for the post Mixer and congratulations on the ' Guru Challenge Sunday Rollcall ', you do an excellent job with that, informative and good humoured. Good to keep smiling as we make progress up the recovery road.

Hello Diary, 137 days since I last gambled. One thing I find helpful is thinking ' ONE DAY AT A TIME ' I imagine that most compulsive gamblers would be able to resist the urge to gamble for just 24 hours. Well that's all we have to do and when tomorrow comes we do it again. My music selection today is It's a lovely day tomorrow by Vera Lynn ......If today your heart is weary -- If ev'ry little thing looks gray -- Just forget your troubles and learn to say -- Tomorrow is a lovely day.

Great post Stephen and super song choice. After a weekend of being a bit woe is me today is a new day and to quote another song 'you can't always get what you but you can try' this is my mantra for the foreseeable future. Happy Monday Stephen S:)

Hi Stephen,

One day at a time is a definite key. Another one for me is knowing how many people I would let down now if I failed. I have had so much support I simply have to keep going for myself and all those who have put their trust and faith in me.

Hurtling towards 150 days Stephen. Well done.

All the best

Matt

Approaching 150 days sir ! Loving the ONE DAY AT A TIME strategy 🙂 . Keep swimming sir , not swinging 😉

Good morning Stephen, I enjoyed your song choice yesterday. It's an eclectic mix, the music repository you share, which I think is fantastic. A bit of everything with a common theme, bl*ddy good music with a bl*ddy good message!

You've ticked off another day, as have I. Whilst I've had a bit of cold turkey, thinking about gambling, I've let myself do that with the mindset that I'm grateful I do not have to do it anymore.

I'm on Day 46 and I want to, and will, join you as an Elder in 54 days time, one day at a time!

Have a great day my friend.

Mixer

Hi Stephen

Hope you are keeping well, fast approaching the 150 day mark,how fantastic!

Keep up the fantasticwork and thank you for your inspirational,motivational and caring posts.

Annie x

Thankyou for the encouragement and support.

Sharon..... impressed with your mantra " You can't always get what you want but you can try ". Not gambling doesn't mean life is suddenly going to be a bed of roses. However we can still try regain control of our lives.

Matt....Will definitely follow your example, I really don't want any more gambling misery.

Sars.... excellent progress young man " The body achieves what the mind believes ."

Mixer.... admire your positive approach to recovery. The advice and support you give to others is wonderful.

Annie.... great to see you enjoying your recovery.

Dear Diary. Great day. Went for a swim this morning. College Creative Writing this afternoon which I am really enjoying. Chilling out now before Salsa Dancing tonight. No thoughts of gambling pleased to say.

My music choice today is ....You can't always get what you want by The Rolling Stones....Great song released in 1969. Since than it has been recorded by several artists who have all put a different slant on it but kept the message alive. I particularly like the version by The Jolly Boys (2010)....... You can't always get what you want -- But if you try sometimes you find -- You get what you need.

Hi Stephen,

The Jolly Boys lyric made my smile. Where I work, our mantra is ... the customer tells us what they want; we give them what they need. That's what it's all about!

'Try to regain control of our lives'. - Yes that is definitely the main objective. Because life is full of hurdles and obstacles. We cannot predict with any certainty what the future holds, but we can still be responsible for our own decisions and actions.

Thanks Stephen for your regular updates. Like many others, I look forward to your uplifting posts.