Hope

Day 567 gambling free.

A thought provoking post Joan, much appreciated. Not sure what I will do on the work front but ive got till Friday to put an application in or not.

Ive been out for the sacred Sunday run. Hard work in the warm weather. Ive only been running once a week recently, cos of all the cycling to work... too knackered. Need to up my game if I want to do the marathon this year.

My mate had a win on the horses and has given me some money to look after and to pay some of his bedroom tax. He said himself if it wasn't for me he probably would have been evicted by now. I don't want to see him evicted so I will continue to help out where I can. How things change eh... it wasn't that long ago when others were looking after my money.

No gambling for me... big waste of time. Thanks for listening... S.A

Hi there

know just what you mean as used to be in charge of a residential unit in a special school many years ago. Fortunately before the level of prescriptive learning you talk about as we learnt through play mainly.

I have a beautiful painting given to me by a 24 yr old autistic girl which I treasure. She was an amazing artist but couldn't boil a kettle. We all have treasures hidden within us it is just finding them and I think often it is the frustration of suppression that leads us and others to fall into gambling and other addictions as a way of coping however these young people are unable to have that insight.

I hope whatever you decide goes well but remember you are a gift to these young people with your understanding and deserve the best in return as I am sure your gambling friend would agree. I would so much sooner have a caring friend such as you than a multi millionaire gambler trying to buy friendship.

xxx

It was hard enough watching the sunshine through the window while I was working this morning, but going running....rather you than me mate! As long as you're doing something that makes you happy though that's the most important thing.

The change in you has been profound from when you first started on the journey, and that can be seen by the fact that you have become the one your friends will trust with the money. They know you are strong enough now not to want to put it on a stupid bet.

Hope life keeps sending you the rewards of not gambling.

Ryan

Day 568 gambling free... and thanks both 🙂

You know when you've gambled all your money away and its a question of electric or food and then another unexpected issue comes along that requires money and there is nothing that you can do. You feel so hopeless and stressed out and ultimately dependant on the kindness of others to get through.

Well that's not me anymore and today when I got a puncture on the cycle home from work I just wheeled my bike into Halfords and they fixed it on the spot. It only cost 4 because when I bought the bike I took out a bike care plan too which means I only pay for parts and not labour. If I was gambling I would not have bought a bike or the care plan to go with it. This is just another reason why I don't gamble anymore.

Thanks for listening... S.A

SA

fella the list of reasons why we choose not to gamble never stops growing.

For your continued efforts my friend be very proud.

I hope again you find clarity in your choice regarding work.

Again a choice better made without the fog that we created by our gambling.

Keep making the right choice

Duncs stepping forward never back

Day 572 gambling free and thanks Duncs

Strangely ive been dreaming about gambling the last couple of nights. It involves me walking into a place with machines and looking for the high stakes machine and then playing and winning but then the machine plays a musical with singing and dancing and doesn't pay out the money. I get very frustrated and then wake up. I guess the gambling gremlins are still alive and kicking within. It doesn't make me want to go out and gamble, but just thought I'd talk about it anyway.

Not much else to say just tired from work and cycling but feeling fine in the great scheme of things. Thanks for listening... S.A

Just a very quick note from me as I registered on here by mistake!

So, so pleased to see the magical figure of 572 days at the top of your latest post.

You're right, we just don't want to win money any more. It only leads to destruction.

All the very best and please keep this up!

NT

Hi S.A,

I have had similar dreams. Not the singing and dancing part. 😀 But, I'm thinking the part about not receiving the prize might be our conscience reminding us that we never win because we choose to never stop. So, maybe the gremlins are around trying to sow their seeds while we sleep but, abstinence has made our consciences stronger. Sounds to me yours kicked their little as s es to the tune of ?? Just a thought. -joanxxx

SA

fella addiction really will try anything it can to creep back into our lives will it not??

Fella great to read you are still adding to those gamble free days

It feels like the only penny that has dropped for you my friend is the one that hit you square in the eye and showed you that life without gambling will offer you quite simply a better life!!

Enjoy it my friend

Warts and all!!

Abstain and maintain

Duncs stepping forward never back

Day 574 with not a penny gambled on any form of gambling in that time.

Thanks for your thoughts all, and thankfully no more gambling dreams.

I been out for the sacred Sunday run this morning. I been trying out some new trainers, top of the range they are and they suit my feet and running style well. Again this would not be possible if I was still gambling.

Life is ok at the moment, no grumbles... long may it last.

Thanks for listening folks... S.A 🙂

Hey SA,

And huge well done on your continued battle against this habit. Really impressive and you should be proud.

Me, well I had a slip last Saturday, purely anger towards myself took me into devils arms, but all is good, bruised I'm standing back up. As they say - never give up giving up 🙂

As of running, I still enjoy my days putting them trainers on, you are right to pick the right ones for running can be a hard job lol..i'm glad you are treating yourself as you well should do. May long it continue indeed

Take care

Sandra x

Day 577 or exactly 19 months with not a penny gambled on any form of gambling

Thanks Sandra and sorry to hear that you had a slip. Am sure you will bounce back soon enough.

I have dilemmas about whether to continue with my application for a full time position. To be honest am quite happy working for the school through the agency but now ive got a letter inviting me for an interview on a Saturday of all days when am supposed to be running a half marathon and getting P***** afterwards... and that takes priority in my mind... so my motivation for the job is clearly lacking lol I shall tell them I can't make that date... though am pretty sure they will re-arrange for me, cos ive built up quite a good reputation in the few months that ive been there... lets see what I do and lets see what happens.

Gambling is not playing on my mind. Am putting lots of monies on rent and bills at the moment while work is plentiful. I am Mr sensible with the things that matter... that's a good thing.

Life can only get better when we don't gamble. Sometimes I don't feel like my life is getting better, but actually it is, slowly and steadily... best way.

Thanks for listening... S.A

Hi SA,

It's definitely good news that you're being considered for a permanent position, and it shows how good you are at your role. However, I wouldn't blame you for putting the half marathon first, after all, its been a part of your plans for quite some time.

Like you said at the end of the post, we don't always see that life is getting better, but compared to the gambling life, it most certainly is!

If you think back to how your mindset was during the easter holidays when you were struggling to find work and things were slow coming in, one benefit of a permanent job would be the resolution to that problem. I know it doesn't suit everyone, but I'd have a good look at it and see how it would fit in with your life. As you know, once you're on the payroll they may try and squeeze more time and work out of you for the same price too.

Hope you find a choice that suits you, whether that is going for it or staying in your agency work.

All the best

Ryan

Day 580 gambling free and thanks all. I will get back to you over the weekend.

Am still keeping up with regular updates in my dairy, cos I know what am like. Drifting away from the forum can mean drifting towards gambling and I'd rather not take that chance. I keep doing what works for me.

Thoughts are with Pellakanin. We all know what it feels like to gamble our money away.. the financial pain and personal misery is not something that I ever want to return to but I know that as a compulsive gambler, one false move and I could be back in the /////..... so I keep typing my ramblings however ungambling related they may be.

Am off up the caf in a bit for a hearty breakfast.. cos I deserve it! 😉 Have a good day folks and thanks for listening... S.A 🙂

Hi SA

Just want to say 580 days with out spending one penny on gambling is some achievement

Very well done to you

Suzanne x