Originally posted by vera
Hi Larry!
If my calculation is correct, today would be your 29th month anniversary …
Thanks Vera for the post, and various suggestions and reminder.
You are right today is Month 29 for me living gambling free. And I do mention my last day gambled, August 13, 2009, in each of the welcoming post that I make to new members as part of my introduction; an introduction that I borrowed from my Gamblers Anonymous meetings.
August 12, 2009 was the last day of my oh-so-many "attempts" to stop gambling, and the day I joined GT. On that day I felt so relieved that I found a site that I could use as an example of my seeking help to strengthen a criminal defence for writing an overabundant amount of hot checks; I was so happy with another chance to lie and deceive that I went out experienced my worst "relapse" and gambled all night long, digging myself in ever deeper, and heading out the door with the only thought of a way in ending my gambling was to end my life.
That morning, August 13, 2009, was a day the I did not have idea of true recovery, or of adversities or thoughts of any milestones ahead of me; it was only the day that I changed direction, a day that I had finally had Enough, and a day that I decided living was better than stepping into the path of an oncoming train — and a fear of surviving the planned "accident". And living meant no more gambling, living only meant doing everything and anything to not gamble again whereby placing myself back into an abyss of torment and unhappiness. Thankfully, I looged back onto GT, was introdiuced to GA, and so far, I have been able to do what is necessary for me to live; I have not gambled for anything (that is, have not gambled because of temptations, urges, problems or adversities, and not even in celebration of happy events), nor have I gambled for nothing (that is just for the hell of it).
The quote I used from Colin’s bio in my recent post to his past Anniversary topic fits into my life, and would be a good inspiration for each struggling with the addiction of compulsive gambling to add to their way of thinking; "I haven’t had a bet in a while but whats far more important than when my last bet was, is when my next bet is going to be. Hopefully the answer will remain as "not today". (not even on a Friday the 13th)
And yes you can make coffee by placing the grounds in a pot of boiling water; it is the way I started drinking it way back when I was a Boy Scout camping out on the colder days — strong, black, and no sugar. However, I have advanced from those "cattle drive" type days of boiling beans that you see in old westerns, and from the skimping during the end of my gambling days; I now enjoy coffee brewed in a more flavorful manor — but still am not a "Starbuck’s" or gourmet connoisseur.
This is the first year that the cold hand condition has advance to prolonged pain and discomfort; before now the fingers only got stinging cold after a time in freezing temperatures and returned to normal after warming. It this does keep up I know that it will require some type of medical attention, and alternative medicine might be the thing to do. Thanks.
And as for Friday the 13th, it was a good movie, scary and all (and Saturday the 14th was a funny parody), and the 13th is a day and number that strikes fear in many; but for me, Thursday the 12th is the scary one, it is when we start to think about the 13th.
God’s speed.LarryThanks to my Higher Power, My 3G’s – God, GA, and GT, "Day Two Is Another Day Behind" and with the help from all , I will continue to remain gambling free.