Give peace a chance

Hi Stephen ,

Thank you for all the support you're giving me . By the way I love the new title "give peace a chance " , you sure showed us how it's done and keep fighting my friend . Well done for staying GF this far .

Sars

Thanks for posting, your words always provide comfort and make me see mysrlf in a better light, Such a peculiar day, but still GF hurrah!! Great to see you marching on and enjoying more everyday your GF life my friend. Take care S:)

Sizzling Sharon , Smashing Sars

Awesome GamCare superstars

Happy smiles and lonely tears

Bring freedom from their darkest fears ......

Morning Diary , Day 75 GF . Not the best of days as cut my arm on a rusty railing yesterday and brought the skin off . Being a wimp I toddled off to A&E to have it dressed , said I didn't need an injection plus I didn't have to wait long so quite pleased . Going swimming has been part of my therapy but got other things to keep me occupied , don't want to get the dressing wet , got to change it every 2 days . Think I might give the salsa a miss tonight .

Anyways I certainly won't be seeking solace from the fobt machines .

Day 75 has been quite good . No swimming or salsa dancing as I have a dressing on my arm from cutting it yesterday . This afternoon met up with a friend , looked around the art gallery , walked by the marina than lunch and a natter in a pub by the river . Good to be able to socialise again .

Went to GA tonight , an open meeting so partners welcome , a sad gentle reminder of the hurt we cause our loved ones . Good friendly atmosphere and well attended .

My thoughts tonight are with friends who are struggling with the addiction . Recovery is difficult but it can be done .

Compulsive gamblers can be as different as chalk and cheese , but we are all together on the same road .

We know the misery that is behind us .

Ahead of us is freedom from gambling addiction . If we want it , than its there for the taking .

Day 76 brilliant will be galloping up to 100 before you know it! Hope your arm is ok? Glad to hear you had a nice day yesterday makes a world of difference to be able to enjoy 'normal' situations without gambling looming in your mind. Have a great GF day S:)

Ps I am being a bit dim but how do you start a new thread?

Thanks :):)

Thanks Sharon .

Day 76 been feeling a bit subdued but I can live with it .

Paid a visit to the chatroom tonight but felt ill at ease , maybe not my cup of tea . Maybe brain addled with over exposure to fobt machines . Apparantly thst awful noise the fobt makes when their is insufficient credit to cover the bet is designed that way to prompt the gullible punter to feed more money in as quick as possible . I don't consider myself stupid but I fell for that one every time .

Apparently the international space station will be visible for me at 23 58 hrs tonight . I will.give them a wave but doubt if they will wave back ! It's just one of those days .

77 Days GF tomorrow , 11 weeks is a long time ..... Some days I feel more cheerful than this .

Congrats on 11 weeks Stephen 🙂

Hopefully today is more cheerful for you!

I look @ my blue days now with a little twinkle in my eye because they are simply blue & not achingly painfully dark ones like I used to have when active!

& if I've achieved nothing else that day, I still get to end it with a mini fist pump because JFT I did not gamble!

The chat room's a funny old place...I have had some good times in there but it's soooo different to a meeting that I do sometimes check out early.

I like the idea of giving the International Space Station a cheeky wave...Even if they didn't do you the courtesy of waving back, I'm sure they appreciated the sentiment 🙂

Hope your wounds heal soon!

Thanks ODAAT , 77 days between me and the last bet . However I can feel the compulsion to gamble is standing right alongside me , playing the game , biding its time . Out of the blue or gradually it will endeavour to set me up for a fall . Good to be determined and confident but must avoid complacency . A delicate balance to maintain at all costs .

It is my big chance , their will never be a more opportune moment , must give it everthing I've got . I am happy with my progress so far , I will take one day at a time and not worry about whats up ahead ( thanks for that one Sharon )

Might have blue days but they wont be a patch on the miserable existence of a gambling addict . If some days are a bit lacking in fun and jolly adventures than so what , I can give the air a mini punch and be happy I had a GF day . ( thanks ODAAT )

Couldn't wave to the International Space Station last night ( it was overcast ) maybe someone on board has a GamCare diary ! Who knows ! The addiction does not discriminate and recruits from wherever it can ........

I am Stephen . Today I have chosen not to gamble .......Little poem to finish on ;

Gamblers Nation

Despair and Elation

Self Flaggelation

Hi Stephen

Every single feature in those machines is deliberately designed in to keep the punter playing and returning. The industry employs gaming experts to this end. Maybe picturing the face on the fatcat bookie boss once he realises you're not going to be contributing to his next yacht might help?

Hi Stephen

Well done on 77 days GF thats amazing. You are a true inspiration.

Annie x

Thankyou Lethe . The fobts don't seem to be knocked up just willy nilly , designed with the help of psychologists I imagine .

Thankyou Annie 25 , congratulations not only on your 23 Days GF , but also on your positive approach to recovery . Learning from the past , accepting responsibility for your actions but not wallowing in guilt and remorse ( as we well know the addiction can use that against us ) ....... Blocks in place and a good friend and confidant helping manage your financial situation ( like you say it lessens the feelings of isolation ) ...... enjoyable family time ...... socialising whilst not thinking of gambling ..... running , exercise , fresh air and fun .... plans for a future free from gambling addiction .

Commendable that you have taken on an extra job but hope your not overstretching yourself . Can understand your desire to pay off debts quicker but your well-being and recovery are of paramount importance .

Hi Stephen hope you have a super GF weekend and thanks so much for all your kind words and support...means so much!! 78 days, yay!!! S:)

Well here I am , a beautiful day in a wonderful place called 80 Days GF .

My journey so far has been a real eye opener . Sharing a road with like minded friends whose wisdom and guidance has been an integral part of my re(dis)covery .

I shall be leaving here at midnight and don't know what lies ahead . I'll take it one day at a time and consult with my GamCare friends for support along the way .