Many thanks Murlo, Vinnie and Russ. Your encouraging posts made sure I went to Salsa last night and I had a lot of fun. I am definitely going dancing every Monday & Tuesday evening and feel it will play a big part in my recovery.
Lovely outside today. Clear skies and the sun is shining.
I am going to join an art group later held in a room above the cafe of a mental health charity and meeting place. I have neglected it recently so will get back into that. They jokingly refer to me as the resident poet which is nice.
Love and best wishes to all on the diaries and to people everywhere who are suffering through the scourge of gambling addiction.
Stephen
Hello Diary.
This morning took some clothes to the homeless hostel which were appreciated but I suspect my moan about the hamsters cage in the day room being directly underneath a radio that was blasting out music was not appreciated. Many people are not cruel but simply look upon animals either with indifference or as a thing whose sole purpose in life is in providing pleasure to members of the human race. A bit sad really as far as I am concerned.
Went into a charity cafe for lunch and attended an art group in a room above the cafe. That was fun and had a few laughs.
Just been listening to a song "Walk Tall" by Val Doonican from 1964 and thought to myself, that is how I will live my life. The chorus is:
Walk tall, walk straight and look the world right in the eye
That's what my mama told me when I was about knee high
She said son, be a proud man and hold your head up high
Walk tall, walk straight and look the world right in the eye
Love and best wishes to all on the diaries and also to the hamster in the hostel.
Stephen x
Hello Diary.
Now self excluded from casinos, online, bingo halls, arcades and betting shops. I would have to travel at least 10 miles to be able to enter a betting shop.
Weekly state pension in bank today so paid back a friend who had lent me a small amount. Interesting day. Went to a residents meeting and popped in a couple of cafes where I had a few laughs and did a bit of reflecting on my situation.
Works pension in bank tomorrow so will catch up on rent as I didn't pay it last week.
At the moment I am six days into my journey of recovery and do not have the slightest desire to gamble.
To me I would just like to say
My friend I stand by you
And when your sad and lonely
Together we will see this through
Stephen x
Stephen,
You are a whole lot further into your gamble free journey than six days. You have stumbled off the path from time to time but you are right here with me and I've been here seven months. My journey is not perfect. I have scabby knees from my stumbles but each time you reached out a hand, picked me up and helped me on my way forwards.
We have this mate.
Drama.
xoxoxox
You are right Drama and thank you for posting on my diary.
Our recoveries started a long time ago. Admittedly we have stumbled a few times but are still heading in the right direction and we are not just stopping gambling but are also trying to make other positive changes to our lives.
I like the words in the image space on the diary of Vinnie:
"Believe In Yourself And You Will Be Unstoppable."
Stephen x
Hello Diary.
Seven days since last gambled.
Works pension in the bank today.
All bills paid up to date with sufficient to live in comfort whilst enjoying a few adventures along the way.
In a few weeks I will have paid (on time) 4 years of monthly repayments towards my debt recovery plan which leaves just 3 years to go and than the slate will be clean.
Seventy years of age this year and there are things I would like to achieve during the remainder of my life.
I certainly do not want to finish my days as a sad old gambling addict, scorned and rejected.
And when I do reach the pearly gates I just hope to find that heaven is gamble free.
Heading home and smiling with a sparkle in my eyes
Not dwelling on the past or questioning ifs or whys
For life is a great adventure to cherish and enjoy
And standing on this ship of life my heart yells Ship Ahoy!
Stephen x
Stephen,
lovely to read your post. I hope you have some wonderful adventures to come and get plenty of use from your super duper foot spa to soothe those tired salsa feet ?
Thank you Murlo for those kind words which brought a big smile to my face.
Just returned from a walk during which I visited 3 outdoor light/sound installations which are attracting many people into the city centre. It has had mixed reviews but I enjoyed it.
Just having my evening meal and than will listen to the radio, have a read and maybe treat my tootsies to a 15 minute session in the Deluxe Foot Spa. A bit of an extravagance but worth every penny.
Stephen x
It is Sunday and I feel good
At 6-30 will be at the theatre to enjoy performances by dancing groups from Hull & Yorkshire.
I love dancing and am expecting to be thrilled to bits.
Stephen x
I enjoyed watching the dancing at the theatre tonight. Great routines by talented young dancers who performed with enthusiasm and a lot of energy.
Eight different performances which included Contemporary, Street Dance, Indian and Irish.
One of the contemporary dances was by a solo male dancer and the dance was about exploring emotions and mental health issues. I found that really interesting and thought it was very cleverly done.
Stephen x
Awoke with a happy heart for I am gamble free
To a lovely day of sunshine and serendipity
This gamble free world which I call home is looking pretty good
Ten days into my journey but not yet out of the wood
Wishing everyone on the diaries a day of peace, fun and contentment with a few laughs along the way.
Stephen x
Many thanks for visiting my diary Mark. I appreciate your support and encouragement.
Day 10 has been good and I finished it off tonight by going to Salsa and going again tomorrow night to a different venue. Dancing is a lot of fun.
I do enjoy a mambo turn with attitude and style
It makes me feel alive so I tend to dance awhile
With friends who are like minded and like a bit of latin
Much better than them betting shops that I was often sat in
Stephen x
Congratulations on ten days Stephen , I love seeing your poems they never fail to make me smile , hope you’ve had a lovely day ?
Thank you Vinnie. Pleased to see that tomorrow you are 5 weeks into your recovery. You are doing really well.
All is good in my world. Life is fun when I choose not to gamble.
I might get in touch with missing persons though because Murlo seems to have disappeared!
Went to my regular cafe for a chinwag with friends plus a snack
Than had a soak in the bath which was soothing to feet legs and back
And now I hear the Salsa Gods say "Steve give it attitude ......
Get your feet on the dancefloor and act like a real cool dude"
Love and best wishes to all on the diaries
Stephen x
Hello Diary.
Having a good day. Was chatting earlier with a couple of people who had in the past experienced great suffering due to drugs & alcohol. They have now been dry for several months and you couldn't hope to meet two nicer people.
Also went to an Organ Recital at the City Hall this afternoon by Steve Grahl who is one of the worlds most renowned organists. It was absolutely brilliant.
Tonight going to a social club for people who are divorced or widowed. There is a singer so will hopefully get up and have a dance. Not been for a few months so will be nice to catch up with friends and acquaintances I havn't seen for a while.
Stephen x
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