Try again. No other option but to just keep trying.

Hey mate.

Just been catching up on your diary. I'm sorry to hear about what happened a fortnight ago. Some difficult questions to ask yourself and answer moving forward... Most of which CW has asked for you :o)

Can't fault her commitment to confronting the harsh realities of this horrid affliction though. Reading her posts even got me asking questions of myself... Serious, uncomfortable questions that need answering and not shelving.

Confront and find those answers, then get going again mate. Try not to be too despondent (I know it's hard not to be) but this slip will strengthen you moving forward and be a harsh reminder that gambling is often lurking round every corner... Keep guard up at all times. Good luck.

Thank you sjw & signalman. I appreciate your visiting my diary and posting comments.

It has been a good Sunday. Met some friends at the gym and enjoyed a relax in the steam room.

Day 15 now and I am just reflecting on something the Buddha was quoted as saying:

"It is better to conquer yourself than to win a thousand battles.

Then the victory is yours.

It cannot be taken from you."

Stephens log. Day 16 on the gamble free highway.

I do like giving myself topics to focus on now and then. Today I have picked out a couple of quotations and will contemplate on whether or not they apply to my recovery.

"THE ROAD TO HELL IS PAVED WITH GOOD INTENTIONS."

&

"ACTIONS SPEAK LOUDER THEN WORDS."

I like those quotes!

Thank you Tara. Those quotations have applied to me on many occasion but I now have more understanding and feel better equipped to address my inadequacies.

Standing tall, proud and full of hope, I am now on day 17 of this gamble free adventure into the unknown.

Where it will lead and what will become of me is a mystery that will slowly unfold, as I continue on my noble quest.

Day 17 and looking forward with hope.
Excellent stuff!!

Never look back.

Elizabeth

Many thanks for the kind words posted on my diary.

Caughtup you are absolute star and a wonderful inspiration. A hard working mother and wife who recognised the absurdity of giving her hard earned money away to bookmakers. That was 166 days ago and you are still focussed, determined and committed to living a gamble free life. I salute you my friend and fellow traveller.

Elizabeth hope you enjoyed the Scotland victory yesterday. I read in the news that they were quite impressive.

Early days in your recovery but you have been here before and know what is involved. You are a jolly lady who knows how to enjoy life so don't let the gambling drag you down ever again.

A Scottish guitarist called David Russel once said .... "The hardest thing in life is to know which bridge to cross and which to burn."

Many thanks for the kind words posted on my diary.

Caughtup you are absolute star and a wonderful inspiration. A hard working mother and wife who recognised the absurdity of giving her hard earned money away to bookmakers. That was 166 days ago and you are still focussed, determined and committed to living a gamble free life. I salute you my friend and fellow traveller.

Elizabeth hope you enjoyed the Scotland victory yesterday. I read in the news that they were quite impressive.

Early days in your recovery but you have been here before and know what is involved. You are a jolly lady who knows how to enjoy life so don't let the gambling drag you down ever again.

A Scottish guitarist called David Russel once said .... "The hardest thing in life is to know which bridge to cross and which to burn."

39 years ago today "The Wall" was released by Pink Floyd and sold 6 million copies in 2 weeks. An iconic piece of music that has struck a chord (forgive the pun) with countless people around the world. It was even performed in Berlin to celebrate the fall of the Berlin Wall.

What about the wall we constantly build around ourselves! If it protects then all well and good but if it imprisons us then it needs to be demolished and rebuilt to better serve our needs.

Gambling addiction, alcoholism, bitterness, envy, fear, greed, hatred, lust, resentment & revenge are just a few of the bricks in the walls that imprison people.

Do we have the courage to knock down the wall?

Do we have the desire and the will to be free again?

Have we given up on ourselves or are we going to stand up and fight for what's right?

Each and every one of us is capable of stopping gambling and that is probably one of the first bricks we should be taking out of the wall....stephen

Thanks so much for your kind comments SS on my diary. Quite interesting. I find your posts "off the wall", in a good way of course! Keep going and good luck. I've decided not to keep my diary, just to read and post. Thanks for the time you've spent writing on my diary, always appreciated. All the very best. Bye for now.

Heading off to freedom at a leisurely pace

Calm, relaxed and carefree with a smile upon my face

Today is rather dull and maybe it will rain

But I am gamble free and aboard the GamCare train

No bookies fobts or gambling for 22 long days

My life is looking brighter in oh so many ways...stephen

Every day GF a small piece of your future will return. Gather enough pieces to make a beautiful picture friend. Keep going.

Thank you for your support Signalman. I have replied on your diary.

Here on the gamcare road I slowly walk the walk

It's time for action now cos i'm sick of all the talk

Gambling thoughts may come and go but that is no surprise

Each morning i'll be gamble free when the sun begins to rise

Stephen 23 Days GF

Days they can seem rather dull whilst others may be jolly

But I will not commit to any monumental folly

Best not scorn the darkness but instead turn on a light

My mission to be gamble free throughout each day and night

Stephen 24 days GF

Best conform to expectations

Cheer up loved ones and relations

Common sense dictates to me

Just live a life that's gamble free

Stephen 25 days GF