Year2 the GF future is here

Hello Sharon my friend. Hope you are happy and well.

When looking for inspiration I need look no further than your diary. 492 days since you last gambled and you have shown so much courage. Experiencing feelings of remorse, sadness and guilt you recognised that it was the addiction talking and you stayed strong, stood your ground and focussed on one day at a time.

Thank you so much for posting on my diary. Your good advice, support and encouragement will stay with me over the coming months and years as I finally rid my life of gambling. This feels like an excellent opportunity to make a fresh start, I am totally committed to a gamble free life and ready to give it my best shot...stephen x

Sharon Super Star - still whizzing through them gamble free days. A truly great inspiration to myself and others.

Hope your happy and well as you close in on 500 days gamble free (Sunday is the big day).

Come Sunday I will be thinking of your fantastic achievement and how you have accomplished it. I know you have had to overcome negative thoughts and emotions but you have always stayed strong and showed what a wonderful lady you are. Whilst you struggled with your own recovery you always made the effort and found time to support your fellow travellers. I feel privileged and honoured to have shared the road with you but I do regret my weakness which has seen me relapse several times. Take care my friend...stephen x

-):-):-):-):-):-):-):-):-):-):-):-):-) SHARON 500 DAYS GAMBLE FREE :-):-):-):-):-):-):-):-):-):-):-):-):-):-

Congratulations my friend on your wonderful achievement.

16th March 2017 was the day you set off on your journey of recovery and since than you have shown immense courage, resilience and determination.

Many thanks for all the help and encouragement you have given me during my time on the diaries. You are indeed a remarkable lady with a heart of gold. You have shown compassion to your fellow travellers and have always been ready and willing to offer your support.

I raise my glass to you Sharon and wish you every happiness as you continue on your journey...stephen x x

Congratulations on 500 days gamble free, Sharon!

A wonderful effort and one that you must be very proud of...x

Day 500 Buckle up this may be a long post!

So here I am. When I think back to the day I found this forum I felt like I was in a dark hole, alone with no possibility of escaping. A combination of not being able to take anymore, some counselling, the solid support of this forum and starting to believe in myself has forwarded me to this day. I'm more confident and still have debts but am not scared of them anymore, particular phrases and situations are common themes with gambling so reading about other peoples experiences and feelings have been vital for me. So thank you to everyone, every encouraging word and the sheer honesty of this forum. Even if your having a bad day make it good by staying GF. Happy Sunday Sx

Whoop, whoop 500 days!! Shout it out loud and proud - fabulous!! x

Hi Sharon

A massive belated congratulations on your 500 days gamble free. Your warm and kind hearted posts on my diary were a big help in getting me to where I am today and I really hope you are giving yourself the pat on the back you fully deserve.

Matt

Day 511 Time is whizzing by and being GF is now the norm and the only way. Still have moments (and days) of regrets and worrying about t he debt mountain but have learnt it really is odaat. 'Rome wasn't built in a day' cheesy but true! I watched bbc last night, a programme about loans and debt, glad it highlighted how easy it is to fall into addiction but also that there is help. Happy Thursday S:)

Great progress Sharon. 512 days without gambling is such a wonderful achievement and can only be truly appreciated by those who have been affected by this awful addiction.

Debt is a big worry for many compulsive gamblers but as you so rightly point out in your last post, we must be patient. Being gamble free is our only way forward but it takes time to return to normality and one day at a time is the best way forward.

I really admire your positive attitude, courage and common sense approach to recovery. There are many stars in the sky but none shine as bright as our very own Sharon Superstar. Keep blazing that trail my friend. Stay strong and live peacefully by enjoying the contentment and happiness which you deserve.... Stephen x

Hello Sharon my friend. Just a post to wish you well.

520 days gamble free is absolutely wonderful and I admire your courage, determination and the support you have always given to others on the diaries.

Personally I have stopped counting days because in the past I have given in quite a few times but that doesn't stop me showing respect for others who have gone many days without a bet. You have always shown yourself to have self discipline, a great attitude and your approach to recovery as been exemplary...stephen x

Thanks so much Stephen you are too kind! I know where you're coming from, sometimes I feel awkward when posting but if anything I say helps anyone it'S all good. I haven't checked in much this week as am super busy at work but sometimes pinch myself because I am genuinely a million times happier than when I gambled and I thought I couldn't escaped the cycle of misery. Take care S x

Hi Sharon

Just a little message to say I am really pleased that you are so much happier and still gamble free. You deserve all the positive feelings.

Take care

Matt

Thanks so much Matt, always there with inspiring words and a diary that shows the courage and commitment to escape gambling. Let us live the GF and be free Sx

Hi Sharon41

I read that you've passed 500 days of being gamble free. This is a fantastic achievement and I see that forum members are inspired by your diary and your posts on their threads, too. Keep strong and moving forward, be proud!

Warm regards

Leigh

Forum Admin

Hello Sharon and thank you for posting on my diary. It is an interesting point you raised regarding choices and decision making. Where we go and what we do are dependant on the choices we make and the courses of action we take. It is mostly about using common sense, wisdom and integrity in our decision making but sometimes we are at the mercy of unwanted thoughts, urges and all round negative emotions.

It reminds me Spock in Star Trek who only used logic and was baffled by emotional outbursts coming from humans. We are influenced greatly by our unconscious mind which doesn't always see things clearly and may encourage us to behave in an unacceptable manner. The important thing to remember though is that our conscious mind has the final say.

I imagine that over the last 531 days the unconscious mind of Sharon has encouraged her to gamble on many occasions as it had become a deeply entrenched habit. However, the conscious mind of Sharon was fully aware of the destructiveness of gambling and she had sufficient courage, wisdom and inner strength to take back control of her life and say NO to gambling.

Sorry Sharon if I rambled on a bit there, it's an age thing. Take care my friend...stephen