Congratulations to spendspendspend on 111 days gamble free. Excellent progress on your great adventure.
A visit to the 100 Day Club always gives me food for thought and today is no exception.
Mixer, Danpo and Adam reminded me of how powerful thoughts can be but also pointed out that they are only as powerful as we allow them to be. It is good if we can develop ways to ignore negative thoughts or treat them with the contempt they deserve.Â
They maybe didn't write exactly those exact words but I interpret them in my own way. It is if they plant a seed in my mind which I allow to grow and flourish.
Hope everyone is having a good weekend.
Â
Stephen xÂ
*** Good Morning! ***
And hope today finds you well! However often you visit this '100 day' thread, we all hope it helps give you continued motivation to both understand and manage this addiction for which we have been afflicted.Â
But manage it we can!
Stephen wrote yesterday "... how powerful thoughts can be but ... only as powerful as we allow them to be. It is good if we can develop ways to ignore negative thoughts or treat them with the contempt they deserve."
It continues our thinking and realisation that whilst thoughts about g****ing WILL pop in our heads, we need to manage them before they manifest into an urge or craving. And if the thoughts happen to get that far, we need to make sure our defences are all set up; our blockers, both emotional and practical.Â
For example, I always ensure I only have availability to very limited funds 24/7. So I can't gamble even if I wanted to.
Our g****ing thoughts will subside in frequency, but not in the potential damage they can do.Â
So we must all be on guard. Thank you, Stephen, for your interesting development of these insights.
Further, Dunpo, you have also been thinking about this. Another fine post, mate!
And Adam, thank you for checking in. I appreciate and understand you're a little bored but always remember - bored with cash in your pocket, with meaningful options and opportunity is far, far better than bored and skint - a miserable combination indeed. It's a matter of comparatives.Â
***
Here's how we're doing! Keep going, just for today, everyone.
Spendspendspend .     Hon. member (100 days +)
Boo                    20th Jan 2020
Fighter1Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Hon. Member !
bertieboo              10th Mar 2020
Fir tree               28th Mar 2020
Changing habit        28th Jan 2020
Danpo                7th Mar 2020
Murlo                11th Feb 2020
Determined to Stop    1st March 2020
Stephen              10th Feb 2020
Adam123Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Reached target ? new target requested --> 5th March. Granted!
Franco1875Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 19th Mar 2020
Spendlikewater84Â Â Â Â Â Hon. Member!
Ineffable              21st Feb 2020
EsoxLucius            28th Feb 2020
Mixer                 13th March 2020
***
"Just for today, I choose not to g*****. It's just for one day after all. I can deal with any thoughts about it because I know the feeling, the urge, will pass. (I will also take down my Christmas decorations!!!)"
***
Enjoy your day!
Mixer
Hay, this sounds like the right place for me to start (again)...
I am 2 days gamble free after lapsing again.
I can't even say why I felt overwelming urge to transfer money to gamble with, just a total lapse of self control that I thought I had under control!!!
But it feels good to check in daily and hopefully give me strength talking to people who know the pure power that gambling has over me...
Thank you
LMG
Â
Good evening everyone, not had the best of days at work as I was delivering to all the farm houses on the country lanes? but nevertheless it's done now and I've earned some cash for the pot.?
Â
Just for today, I will be happy. This assumes to be true what Abraham Lincoln said, that: most folks are as happy as they make up their minds to be."
Another just for today from my little orange bible from ga.
Mixer you are bang on with the handling over of finances, my partner now has all the access to our funds and I just have what I need and give receipts to her for proof, this works for us and I have no problem whatsoever with it as it stops me from g*******. I would advise people to try and do this.
JUST FOR TODAY, I CHOOSE NOT TO G*****, BECAUSE I HAVE THE CHOICE AND WHAT A GREAT FEELING IT IS.
Hope everyone is ok and keeping things on track, just remember take one day at a time, don't look to far in to the future as this can cause problems.
Â
Peace out and keep it real.
Â
Danpo - It's really good to hear that you've taken the step of passing over financial control which I feel is a sign of strength from you because you can see the bigger picture. Top drawer, my friend.
I've never been to GA - maybe I should go! - but always love hearing some of the quotes, sayings etc. which always hit home. So keep 'em coming Danpo, there is always so much to learn on this journey,
I believe your commitment to consistent posting is really helping you and it motivates me too. You can betcha that our '100 club' members read these too and gives that extra layer of support to them too. Whilst we are fighting individual battles we are all very much together, too. No doubt about it!
***
Friends, Danpo has tomorrow's daily vow all lined up - it's a good one!
JUST FOR TODAY, I CHOOSE NOT TO G*****, BECAUSE I HAVE THE CHOICE AND WHAT A GREAT FEELING IT IS.
Let's keeping our strategy simple, manageable, and real.
With a steady hand on the tiller, one day at a time.
Mixer
Â
*** Welcome ***
It's great to have you aboard, LewisMG; you'll be added to our rollcall tomorrow. We all need all the help we can get to help tame this beast - so we'll try and be part of your anti-g***ling strategy.
To start, tomorrow (because I'm sure today is 'in the bag') just vow to yourself
JUST FOR TODAY, I CHOOSE NOT TO G*****, BECAUSE I HAVE THE CHOICE AND WHAT A GREAT FEELING IT IS.
Even if it doesn't seem like a great feeling, it is, actually, because you're making a choice. Â
You're in control!Â
Mixer
Welcome to the '100 Day Club Lewis.' Early days in your recovery but them gamble free days soon add up and before you know it you will be a long way from your last bet.
However, we never know with absolute certainty how far we are away from another bet which is why it is imperative that we give ourselves all the help we can.
Plenty of good advice to be found on the diaries and a great sense of camaraderie.
Â
Thank you Mixer & Danpo for your excellent contributions.
Â
Stephen xÂ
Â
Hey everyone
Hope you all had a good Xmas. Feeling a little down this morning thinking of the amount of debt I am and how long it will take to clear. I am fortunate (if it can be described like that) that all my debt is on 0% cards which I can move round but feels soul destroying to pay a huge amount each month for literally nothing. Money I could be using to build savings up. Â
But I need to own the debt, I made it, and I will clear it.Â
I hope you all have a great dayÂ
Today, just for today, I will not g****e, I will not beat myself up for things I can not change. I will look to the future and to the little green shoots I can see appearing.Â
Â
We will all do it, that I am certain of.Â
Have a great dayÂ
Welcome fo the 100 day club Lewis, it's always nice to have a new comer join the road to recovery.
Thought I would be back to work today but as been as the weather's predicted rain, I've got the day off nevertheless I still have amazon to work for ?.Â
Mixer maybe you should try ga, why haven't you ? Any specific reason ? It's actually very stimulating to listen to people's shares each week, even though I've only been 3 times, I've decided to go once a week every week. I have come to terms with the fact that ga might just be a part of my life for good. At the end of the day what better place to be then with other people that understand the thoughts and feelings us compulsive g******* have. It's not like g*****ng is all we talk about, basically just go round the room and people share how their week has been,its good to see people who have been 10 plus years g***** free because it ensures you there is a light at the end of the tunnel but the battle will always be ongoing. Anyway i would suggest everyone to at least try it once, I was so scared about going as I suffer from anxiety quite bad, I'm also a shy person, yet when I got there they made me feel so welcome it was unreal.
Here's another just for today for my fellow friends,
Just for today I will adjust myself to what is and not try to adjust everything to my own desires. I will take each day as it comes and fit myself to it.
Also a little vow from me I hope you can all join with this one as it really does help.
Just for today, I choose not to gamble because I have a choice and that's a great thing to have ?
P.S Bertieboo please try not to beat yourself up about the financial situation, you can only keep looking forward, things will eventually even out as long as you stay on the right track, which I'm sure you will. Head up mate. Danpo.
*** Good evening! ***
I hope you are well 🙂
I read an interesting article the other day, a part of which I'd like to share with you. It was a quote from Helen Sharman, the first UK astronaut.
She said:
"Being in space taught me that it’s people, not material goods, which truly matter. Up there we had all we needed to survive: the right temperature, food and drink, safety. I gave no thought to the physical items I owned on earth Earth. When we flew over specific parts of the globe, it was always our loved ones we thought of down below us."
I like to think that when we clear our minds of the rubbish that g***ling filled them with, we're floating in space and realising what really matters in life. We don't need to throw away or money on materialistic wastefulness (and g***ing is materialistic, apart from the fact we get nothing tangible back).
Just for today, and preparing for tomorrow, we know what to do.
***
Danpo - another fine post, and I might well try GA! I am currently on a Skype group where a dozen or so like-minded recovering g***blers meet and I'm finding that incredibly rewarding. There are many groups like this around. Do let me know if you're interested! The way I look at my recovery is this - the more things you try the better because I'm convinced something will 'stick' in the end.
Bertieboo - It's not easy coming at this from a position of having to sort out debt. It might seem a long way off getting clear. But, with the clearer head you have, always look to reduce or minimise any interest you are paying. Look at it as a reward for of your clarity of mind. And with any 'spare' you do have, treasure it and spend it wisely. Sometimes, and I know it's easy to say, less is more. One day, when you're debt free again, you'll be so delighted with the opportunities it brings you'll feel truly blessed. Keep strong, my friend.
Stephen - thank you for your ever-thoughtful post. We are always thinking forwards .. the past is, by its very nature, behind us. A beady, steady eye as we quietly, and with strength, navigate these uncharted waters ahead.Â
***
We've welcomed LewisMG (Lewis - I've set you up for a 100-day target, 3 days in so far. Don't worry that it's that far ahead - we only do things one day at a time here!)
Â
LewisMGÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 12th April 2020
Spendspendspend      Hon. member (100 days +)
Boo                    20th Jan 2020
Fighter1Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Hon. Member !
bertieboo              10th Mar 2020
Fir tree               28th Mar 2020
Changing habit        28th Jan 2020
Danpo                7th Mar 2020
Murlo                11th Feb 2020
Determined to Stop    1st March 2020
Stephen              10th Feb 2020
Adam123Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Reached target ? new target requested --> 5th March. Granted!
Franco1875Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 19th Mar 2020
Spendlikewater84Â Â Â Â Â Hon. Member!
Ineffable              21st Feb 2020
EsoxLucius            28th Feb 2020
Mixer                 13th March 2020
***
Have a great evening, everyone. And why not try the ^>v game!Â
https://www.gamcare.org.uk/forum/new-members-intros-forum/the-v-game/paged/3/#post-1947961
Mixer
Hay all today is my 3rd day gamble free.
We cremated my wife nan today who was a very special woman in our lives, and would have been an ideal time to slip-up, but am happy to add another good day to journey! thank you again for letting me stand with everyone and not feel like I'm fighting this battle alone.
LMG
Dear @lewismg,
I'm so sorry for your loss, today must have been an incredibly painful and difficult time for you, your wife and all of your Family and Friends.
You're right, today could have caused a relapse, many people turn to problem gambling as a way of escapism and to deal with the emotions that they are experiencing. It's fantastic that you have remained gamble free, especially on such a difficult day so well done.Â
If you need any support, advice or help then please call our helpline on 0808 8020 133 or access our Netline via our GamCare website. We're open day and night so you're always able to get through to us.
Sending all the best to you and your Family at this very difficult time.
Kindest Regards
Joanne
Forum Admin
Â
Hello people, gang, here we are , no ones stumbled as yet and that is indeed an incredible accomplishment, long may it continue into February. Went to gym tonight then watched footy. Busy day at work very tiring but as my dad always says its good to be busy if ur twiddling ur thumbs then there's a need to watch ur back. Roll on the weekend as I'm going to Guildford to have some drinks for a mates birthday.....
*** Greetings! ***
Â
A couple of bits of news/info to share.
Â
Firstly, the 2020 Challenge is in full swing. The objective is to remain g****ing free for 2020, one day at a time. If you'd like to join - it's highly recommended - then why not say 'hello' in this link here:
And secondly, here's a recommended post for you. Mark looks at things from an interesting angle. You'll likely find you resonate and think "yeah, that's how I feel/felt too!". It's a good read.
https://www.gamcare.org.uk/forum/recovery-diaries/you-have-to-give-it-away-to-keep-it/
***
LewisMG, as you'll have read from the lovely post from Joanne (Gamcare Forum Admin) above, you are certainly not alone. It's never easy when we lose someone we love. We're all with you, my friend.
***
Adam - you're set up for a terrific weekend ahead and you'll have earned it. Your Dad is right, it's good to keep busy, body, mind and soul. And it's always good to read your updates.
Â
Mixer
*** Good afternoon! ***
Â
Here's hoping you're having a good day everyone. One day at a time, that's all that matters, that's all it takes. We are in recovery - choosing to live a different, more fulfilling life. Recovery is a great place because we are slowly healing, becoming who we ought to be. Everything being equal, it's what we want to be and what we need to be.
I was alerted to a thread on the Reddit website that asked the question to staff in c*s*nos - "What's the worst you've seen?"
Wow, Seriously, reading the answers really hit home. Shocking stuff. Upsetting stuff. If you need any extra resolve today, you're welcome to Google it. It will leave an impression and really drive home the horrors of this addiction. If you decide to take a look; you have been warned! But I'm certain it will turn you off this addiction even more. But prepare to possibly be upset.
Onto more positive things! Here's how we are doing and we're doing good!
Let's keep to our daily vow...
"Just for today, I choose not to g**ble.  It might unintentionally 'pop' into my mind but I'll just 'pop' it out again. I have no worries about that. Just for today."
Let's keep strong everyone.
Â
Mixer
Â
LewisMGÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 12th April 2020
Spendspendspend      Hon. member (100 days +)
Boo                    20th Jan 2020
Fighter1Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Hon. Member !
bertieboo              10th Mar 2020
Fir tree               28th Mar 2020
Changing habit        28th Jan 2020
Danpo                7th Mar 2020
Murlo                11th Feb 2020
Determined to Stop    1st March 2020
Stephen              10th Feb 2020
Adam123Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Reached target ? new target requested --> 5th March. Granted!
Franco1875Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 19th Mar 2020
Spendlikewater84Â Â Â Â Â Hon. Member!
Ineffable              21st Feb 2020
EsoxLucius            28th Feb 2020
Mixer                 13th March 2020
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