taking my life back

Dear (((Peg)))

Your post says it all. Your there Peg, you have your life and you are living it. I am sooo pleased for you and your family.

Funny you posted today. I was thinking of you yesterday, even popped into safe harbor to see if I could catch you.

Just wanted to say hi...

So 'hello', but just watch it lady! ...glad to see that you mentioned it in your last post... don't work too much, its not good for 'Peg' to be spread thin.... she also needs time...'just to be Peg'... lifes way too short my friend. 😉

You are an amazing lady who has won the only prize ever worth fighting for, your life back to enjoy.

Jackie & Jim xx

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HI Peg

This is not about not gambling (for me).

This is about....making changes in my life that no longer support addictive or compulsive thoughts or actions.

As always Peg your post sits in teh forefront of my mind..

This is Life and a journey that has only just begun..

Bug hug being sent your way, well done Peg and keep discovering YOU, because you life hold for you endless joy..

Love & Hugs

Lucy

xxx

((peg))

when I struggle I pull from within and the most valuable sentance and words that I have ever, ever heard in my wholde life is:

"Gambling is not compatible with my life"

you know me Peg and you get that I am in a life recovery.. I use:" is it compatible with my life?" a lot and when I ask that question with a lot of things.. well it simpy makes life easier when you know the answer..

Peg love to you and yours..

And if you ever ever feel a little down about anything - .. ask yourself is it compatible with yor life.. and the answer will always speak for itself..

I have posted on Jacs diary about having a lynn moment and it just felt right to be me here the whole me..

Love

Lynn

xxxx

When I look at my life today, it is sometimes unbelievable that I was ever caught up in the cycle of addiction.

Back then, it seemed just as unlikely that I would ever be leading a happy, 'normal' life..and that I wouldn't be gambling and that I wouldn't be MISSING gambling!

for *ME* understanding the biology of addiction has helped me a great deal.

I still do think of it sometimes.

Last night my husband and I attended a concert...it was held at a casino (many are these days)...

I had to pick up the tickets at the box office (I made the purchase online, so *I* had to be the one to do it..with a photo i.d. and the credit card that I'd used online)...and...we were running late LOL and maybe just not thinking....he pulled up to the casino door and I jumped out to run in real quick and get the tickets.

The casino was packed full of people.

I had to walk to the other end of the casino to get to the box office (a very long walk)..and the line at the box office was long.

I had the opportunity.

I had the money.

and...the crazy-a** voice did start talking.

the thing is...

I now understand...that....even if I just put in a $5 bill and walk away....just a few minutes at a machine will change me....it will start things happening inside of my head that cannot easily be undone.

The changes that will occur...will make me want to gamble more...

and because of those changes in my brain...

NEXT week...the CHOICE of whether or not to gamble...will be much more difficult to make....

and before you know it, I am full blown back in the cycle.

Understanding that....spending a few minutes at a machine (for *ME*) is NOT 'just' spending a few minutes at a machine...it is the beginning .....the beginning of losing who I am again.

not today.

Love to each of you,

glad you're here.

xo

Great stuff, Peg... Fantastic...

I love to read your posts, because they are so reflective, and because you take time to explore the "whys" of why you can't take that first step and put in that first $5 again, and the "hows" of how it would affect you if you did...

I wish that someday I'd be able to play again just for fun, but I know myself well enough that just one $5 could start that ball rolling again, and soon I'd be right back where I started. I know there are some who can get back to a place where they can gamble again eventually, just like there are some alcoholics who can quit drinking and someday enjoy a drink or two and be OK, I just know in respects to gambling, it isn't me....

Lots of love, Peg, and great to see you.

Love, Anna

Peg,

Great to hear from you I know you dont post so much here now but I want you to know that your suport for me and wise words in those early days made a huge difference to me.

I will never forget one particular thought you gave me............this too will pass.............

Such a help from the moment the s**t hit the fan when I came clean to my husband, I held on and allowed him his anger and his own recovery.

Now it is 5 months since I gambled, life is good and it is nothing to do with gambling 🙂

We are happier than ever and it is HONEST, no lies ,no deceit 🙂 🙂

A big thanks to you and happy you are doing good yourselves.

Take care

love

W xxxx

Peg,

You have won the Gamcare Support award, Pleas go to OPG thread And the winner is Envelope Please and pic it up....

Great Job and pass it on my friend.

Cased

Peg,

Just a quick thanks for your accaptance speach on the award thread, I put on a lengthy post as a response. You have been at this recovery thing for a long time, your wisdom is much respected. Thank you.

Cashed.

PS - I did not mean to take the award from you but I did pass it on to someone (s) that I know has helped us all.

Peg

Just wanted to say I agree with much of your post about the award,

one of the reasons I gave it to you was your wise words and

you proved this to all of us yet again.

Thanks again

W xxx

October 30 marked two years since I've placed a bet of any kind.

when I was caught up in the cycle....even in my early days of recovery...I would see people with years or even MONTHS of clean time...and it seemed so unlikely that it could ever be me.

it felt like i couldn't stop.

in some ways, i didn't really want to.

well....i didn't really have to 'quit'....i just had to not gamble...for one day....and i can do just about anything for only ONE day.

the next day....I just had to not gamble for THAT day...just the one.

and here I am...two years and two days later...those days....string together....

I see the pain here....I remember that pain....so many new ones coming all the time...I rarely read diaries here any more....it's hard to keep up.

this *IS* do-able....and it is worth it...YOU are worth it...each one of us is...

I couldn't do it alone.

we don't have to.

glad you're here.

Love,

Peg

Hi Peg

Just wanted to say a big well done on reaching two years free of gambling. As you say, this is doable, and you are living proof that one day at a time this addiction is beatable.

Keep going Peg.

Jim (last bet 22/04/06)

Hey Peg,

You are a shining beacon for all, your words, thoughts and experiences have proved invaluable to so many. Inspired others like myself to keep going, knowing it can and WILL be beaten as we take control of our lives again.

To such as yourself & Gull I am sure we all owe a thousand thank yous and a standing ovation. Stand proud Peg / Gull and the rest you give us hope where we felt there was none.

Willie gamble free since 18/8/07

Hi Peg.

Two years. What a journey. You show that beating a compulsion is indeed 'doable'.

Thanks for being here to share it.

Regards,

Pepper.

Hi (((Peg)))

Two years!!!! That is soooo fantastic.

I'm so pleased for you. what an achievement.

I'm here again but getting myself back on track - i am armed and ready now when the time comes. although as always i hope this will be the last time

Unfortunately this is where i am at the moment

it felt like i couldn't stop.

in some ways, i didn't really want to.

But this is where I am heading and want to go

well....i didn't really have to 'quit'....i just had to not gamble...for one day....and i can do just about anything for only ONE day.

the next day....I just had to not gamble for THAT day...just the one.

As always peg your words are inspirational as is your success.

I raise a toast to you peg - heres to 2 years, a wonderful achievement.

Congratulations peg

Take care

Claire x

as an novice 8 days now to hear that its possible to do 2 yrs that lifts me and gives me great hope congratulation well done and here is to another 2 yrs

Danm xxx