[paul315]

Originally posted by bettie
So nice to see my "old" friends checking in!…

Good afternoon Bettie, just another "old" friend checking in; I check in with every post you make, but this time I will do the posting so that you can see it. It is good to know first hand that there are those that you can vent to. We have enough she-said-he-said type feedback on our actions and life; if we we could only convert all the energy that some people spend on jumping to conclusions, running of at the month, and stooping low enough to spread the gossip, we would not have to worry about our own exercising or any needed weight control. We could enjoy Halloween candy without any guilt – other than having none left when the trick-or-treaters show up      (it’s a Jack-o-Lantern, not a smiley face).  
And you do have one positive thing that is a big favor to you in your health maintenance, you are not allergic to peanut butter  (now it is a smiley face).
We all set goals for ourselves that are a little higher and harder to reach than we can expect early on in any program or effort, it is called motivation.  Others may see it as unreasonable expectations, but when we sit high goals they are not unreasonable, our blind desire for ease and swiftness in reaching them is where unreasonableness come into play. An understanding that sometimes things take longer than planned adds a realistic touch to all we do.  As for the purpose of this service here at GT, you are doing much better than you expected you could at the beginning, I know that I have in my recovery, and I can see that success in you also. 
God’s speed. Strong strong.  My prayers are with you.
Larry

Thanks 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.– 10/26/2011 9:07:49 PM: post edited by paul315.

[paul315]

Originally posted by Kathryn
Then the truth will not be with held from you. 

Good morning Kathryn,,
I too sometimes find phrases in movies, and books and songs, that stick with me and help me see things in a different and better light. The ones that stick with me are less philosophical than the one you quote, but it is our examining and using what strikes a cord within us that helps, not necessary the intent or source, e.g. "To live, that would be a great adventure".  Your using this phrase coming from a child’s "imagination" strikes a cord with me each time I read your post; and today’s quote serves to define and add direction to our adventures called life.
Another line in  Eat, Pray, Love, by the character Liz Gilbert is "When you set out in the world to help yourself, sometimes you end up helping Tutti" (Tutti is another character in the movie, but in Italian it means all or everybody). You and many others here are doing just that. Keep helping yourself and sharing that experience with others, it is a help to us as well.
God’s speed. Keep aware. Stay strong.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.

[paul315]

Originally posted by bettie
… So much frustration …  Frustration really still is a trigger for me …

Good morning Bettie,
Frustration is much akin to other troubled states of mind such as anxiety, worry, unnecessary concern, or may be a result from these feelings, all of which represent an inability to control things that are really out of our control.  Your rational thinking and determination to get around the cancellation of an appointment by using a different service shows that you can overcome a lot of life’s setbacks; you do not have to let them eat at you.  Your frustrations may be a trigger, but in this case your thinking things out and taking the time to work out a problem triggered a solution, not a need to escape.
For the ones that you can not overcome or work around, work on recognizing them for what they are and letting them go by following the guidelines of the Serenity Prayer (subject of today’s Reflection for the Day) — it is called serenity for a reason, it gives us a steadiness of mind under stress and counters and replaces the negative feelings in our lives.
At our GA meeting last night the readings was on anxiety; look back at yesterday’s Reflection for the Day, and "Remember, Anxiety (or frustration) never solved anything".
God’s speed. Stay strong. Keep aware.
p.s. Hope you had an enjoyable day off for Columbus Day. Just think of the frustration that the reason of this Holiday caused the American Indian, yet they continue to strive to work around something that they can not change. (Not to lesson the seriousness of their plight, but I find a bit of ironic humor in one of the ways that they are overcoming, or perhaps revenging ??, what the "white man" did to them by running the Indian casinos; allowing for frustrations due to gambling to run amuck.)
Larry

Thanks 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.
 — 10/11/2011 4:09:07 PM: post edited by paul315.

[paul315]

Principles Before Personalities
 
Good evening,
The days since my last post to this topic have been enjoyable, I have been experiencing the priceless everyday normal enjoyments as only living gambling free can provide; as Vera recently posted, "The non gambling life is so less complicated and easier on everyone!", and as Geordie says, "recovery is priceless".  I can only hope that the rest of the CGs here can also recognize these things in their lives as well; that they can "take the time to smell the roses" — it is in being able to see the little things that lets us enjoy the major ones.  My recovery program allows me to see the little things, my working and practicing that program provides me the strength and awareness to live gambling free, and my living gambling free opens the door to a better way of life; it is a vicious wonderful circle to be caught up in.
Part of my recovery program is to work, or practice, the Steps in the GA program, both the Recovery and the Unity Steps; I once heard that the Steps of Recovery keeps us gambling free, while the Unity Steps keeps us from killing each other in the meetings. Differences and spontaneous reactions do seem to run strong when groups of people get together or correspond among themselves, even when they all have a common bond and share in the same problems. Another part of my recovery is reading the post here, and in working the GA Steps and reading some recent post here it directed my attention to a need for a closer look at some of the of guiding principles for recovery from addiction.  I sometimes get carried away with what others or doing or how my or their actions can effect me or the community of fellow gamblers that I put the program on a lower level; or myself ahead of the program, e.g. "personalities before principles", the opposite of the way things should be. 
One of the principles that I was studying today was Unity Step 12, ""Anonymity is the spiritual foundation of the Gamblers Anonymous program, ever reminding us to place principles before personalities". Anonymity as a spiritual foundation goes further than keeping ones identity unknown, it lets spiritual qualities, such as honesty, humility, generosity,compassion, etc., be seen above the "me", me, an individual who is powerless over gambling. 
Even if I am know by others in a meeting or room as who I am in the outside world, this greater spiritual Anonymity allows me to still be honest, to speak openly about my behavior, actions and feelings in a safe place so I don’t have to carry a burden of guilt and shame. This spiritual anonymity allows me to share with others what I’ve learned about the program, about recovery, and about myself. Anonymity allows me to be kind, to forgive myself and have compassion for others who suffer from this illness, many repeatedly and with progressive deterioration.

To keep anonymity as a spiritual foundation, I am reminded of another guideline,"principles before personalities"; I need to stay focused on the message, not the messenger, and to pay attention to what is being said, regardless of who’s saying it. Every member has a right to speak, and every member also has a right to be heard. If I measure the value of the words I hear by how much abstinence or slips one may have, that tells me I’m placing personalities first and am closing my mind to a message I may need to hear. In these situations, I’m failing not only my fellow members, but myself.
 
This is something that I would have normally posted in my "Ways and Means" topic in the Overcoming Problems Forum, but I was here, and just started writing things that I thought I needed to remind myself of.
 

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.

[paul315]

Good morning Bettie,
I am sorry to hear about your troubles yet the only thing that I can do is add my thoughts and prayers to those of others. As in our recovery, the guidance found in the GA Step 11 bares the truth in these prayers: "Seek through prayer and meditation to improve our conscious contact with God, as we understood Him, praying only for knowledge of His will for us and the power to carry that out". The conscious contact is what will bring comfort and strength for any situation.
I am not a smoker but know form friends and family that one of the better ways to stop is to either separate yourself from or modify or neutralize the triggers, e.g. if you smoke after eating or other activities, compel yourself to do something else at that time; if you smoke because something makes you mad at work, instead of running out for a smoke, address the problem, or better yet, let it go – change how you deal with anger when the source can’t be changed; when the nicotine fit kicks in, well that is the hardest part, but in addressing the triggers this can be handled as well. 
Sounds a lot like combating compulsive gambling, both call for acceptance of the truth that either action is not good for you and can only result in further devastation, not relief.
God’s speed, may you find the comfort and strength that will carry you through. 
 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.

[paul315]

9 / 11 — I will not forget "That Day" …
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________
9/15, a few days later:
First of all I have returned from my trip to New Orleans; it was for the most part quite enjoyable, the visit was good and did not challenge my resolve; but the flight down gave me too much cause and time to think about the past. As posted on the 11th, "That Day" … "it’s emotional effect transcended around the world and is still a part of my changed life". I flew out on 9/11, the 10 year anniversary of "That Day", and because of all the media coverage, and my memories, there was little else to think about during the flight. I can not blame those events for my compulsive gambling, but the extreme emotional stress that it caused, and this added to the psychological side effects of some medication and the state of depression that I was battling after having stopped taking it, made for the perfect storm in my life at the time.
Now, even with the benefit of what I have learned in recovery, escaping from the thoughts that still linger is a continuous battle. A positive note is that I am no longer trying to escape from treatment of depression or from the events and memories of "That Day" by spending all of my energies and time gambling. The gambling did do a good job of letting me bury my feelings and escape from help, but in doing this the gambling only took control of my whole life while letting the psychological problems just abide below the service. The depression is now  under control, however, the memories of "That Day", and the following loss of my family still is a pain that is hard to endure. Taking the plane ride of the 11th was of some help; I did not let the thought of another attack deter me and my plans; now, I only need to not let the memories distract me from living my daily life. I need to make certain that my ODAAT is today, not a different day in the past or future.
My trip also led to another interesting observation. When walking past the casino in New Orleans I had this tremendous urge to go in and enjoy myself; no, not to gamble, but to eat. I have been watching my diet the past couple of months and had been doing good until now. I found it strange that a place that I spend many hours and days feeding my addiction offered no temptation, but knowing that their buffet was there to feed my appetite did.  I did not give in to that temptation, but, the food in the places that I did visit offered just as much food, and better; so I gave in and simply "Laissez le bon temps rouler!" — and with a little regret, the calories as well.
 
Note: I refer to 9/11 as "That Day" because there is no need for any added exclamations. Most everyone from certain geographic locations and of certain generational age groups know where they were when JFK was assassinated or when other historic events took place. Other minds and generations absorbed in social living know where they were when Elvis or Michal Jackson, or other public iconic figures died. But, the descriptions or names always have to be added so that we will know what event people are talking about. However, around the world and for generations to come, 9/11 says it all.
Larry

Thanks 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.– 9/29/2011 1:08:15 AM: post edited by paul315.

[paul315]

Originally posted by carole8755

… Great to hear of good things happening in your life

Good morning Bettie,
I would like to add to the statement made by Carole, it is good to hear of the good things, You have come a long way in recognizing that you can also be on the receiving end of the good things of life.
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.

[paul315]

Good morning,
I will be away for a few days, I am going down to New Orleans for a belated celabration of my birthday (both of them, BB and RCG).  Hopefuly I will be able to connect at an Internet Cafe, but if not, see you all when I return. Just because I might be away from the support I receive here, I can be true to its teachings and live up to my daily pledge to not gamble.
Laissez le bon temps rouler!  (mais, pas les matrices) — Let the good times roll, but not the dice
 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.

[paul315]

Originally posted by Kathryn

Thanks RG, i had a lovely day today.
… its my belly button birthday…LOL.

Good morning Kathryn,
Happy Birthday, without the RCG birthdays BB birthdays would not be as enjoyable.  Have a good one!
Add GT to your new laptop favorites.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.

[paul315]

Originally posted by frozen, aka  Frozen Assets and Whack-o-Mole(y?)

 
God forbid someone around here laugh and move away from talking about depression, death, gloom and doom

I am using this post on my page today to reply to Frozen now that his pages are closed. Firstly and foremost, God’s speed to you my friend, may you "find an inner strength to move past the chaos and a fiery anger to defeat the demon".
In Frozen’s last post references were made about us wearing mask; perhaps to present ourselves as something different than what we care others to see for some reason, or maybe even for us to hide behind or to camouflage our feelings whether the feeling are of fear, disappointment, or even happiness or content. Nevertheless, we all ware mask of some sort. One of my favorite art posters for Mardi Gras by an artice, Michael Hunt, is of a lady removing her iconic Venetian mask only to reveal the same image behind the mask; ergo, a mask only represents what we choose to display for whatever reason, it does not hide who we are. Yet others choose to perceive the mask as only a way to cope with psychological issues rather than of it being merely for entertainment.
Humor is also a subject in these post, here again the views are varied and personal; other than a joke not being "politically correct" (which in itself is a bigger joke) I find it amusing that there is so much to do about nothing. But I can still see where the humor of others may be objectionable to some, or that it might be out-of-place in some areas, e.g. "a time and place for everything", or in Biblical terms, "for everything there is a season". However, I do not necessarily understand where that this would be such a protected or restricted place, although taste and sensitivity should be used.
There is a movie that I recall, The Name of the Rose, where the storyline was that murders of medieval Monks were being committed for the sole reason to hide references to laughter in ancient religious manuscripts. It seems that some leaders of the "Church" felt the humor would take away from the importance of their teaching, or even cause there followers to stop supporting them; or as expressed by Frozen "God forbid someone around here laugh and move away from talking about depression, death, gloom and doom", so they chose to eliminate the mention of laughter altogether, even at the expense of killing off their fellow Monks.
Well this is enough of my venting and back to my words for Frozen; stay strong my friend, keep working on your recovery.
BTW, "Did you hear the one about the (Edited by …)? lol
Larry

Thanks 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.– 9/5/2011 1:48:08 PM: post edited by paul315.

[paul315]

Good morning all, and thanks to those that post the kind words to me; and hugs "(((  )))", to all that are in need of someone reaching out or just acknowledgement of their presents; too many to mention, but some do stand out in special ways.
Yesterday I posted to my Ways and Means topic in the Overcoming Problems forum in praise of the GT forums that allowed me to gain and learn from the actions of others that share here, that provides me the opportunity to be open about my own feelings. Stating that this tool was a large part of my recovery. Rereading that post and in reading recent post from others today I thought that I should back up that claim by making a post to this topic.
 
I started out with thoughts of posting about the enjoyments of my gambling free life, there are many, but have now ventured off that track and will post about how I am able to tell of these events when I choose to, and how I can feel free to post what is on my mind any particular day; not only about my personal life or the ways and means of recovery, but about songs, books, poetry, and movies — and even a joke now and then, that happens to just make me smile, laugh, or think, little things that add to the enjoyment and adventures of living.
 
The how that allows me to post freely is anonymity as I try to explain below:
 
My name is Larry, aka paul315, however, in recovery I am simply "ME"; I am simply ME even to some that have got to know me outside my mask of anonymity. Behind this mask, and to those only seeing its face, I am an individual who is powerless over gambling and working on ways to combat its pull and to separate my life from its control. In being ME I can work on becoming the person that I am meant to be without having to use any restricting "diplomacy" to protect or appease others or slip into a codependency connected to them that takes away from what is best for me.
While having the support of friends and family and being open and honest with them about my problem is also vital, in voicing my innermost private thoughts anonymity is a needed aspect of a recovery program where we open ourselves up to a variety of others. Anonymity allows me to be honest, to speak openly about my behavior, actions and feelings in a safe place so I don’t have to carry a burden of guilt and shame. Anonymity allows me to be open and share with others what I’ve learned about the program, about recovery, and about myself. Anonymity allows me to be me so that I can be Larry in my home life.
Without anonymity there would be a void or obstacle that could cause unnecessary problems and slow down my recovery. I would hate to think that people I know would choose to invade my privacy to either hurt me or to make themselves out as someone that know the secrets of others; that I was no longer a friend, but the the object of nosiness, or the subject of vicious and harmful gossip. If I had to face such so called friends or even just spiteful onlookers, I do not know what course I would then take; hopefully I would find some way to reestablish anonymity or let time in being absent provide a shield to my privacy.
I do not feel a threat to my own anonymity but I can see where an invasion can happen, and if it would happen I must remember that humility and understanding will help carry me to then next stage of recovery.
God’s speed.  Stay strong.
Larry

Thanks 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.– 9/4/2011 2:57:58 PM: post edited by paul315.

[paul315]

Originally posted by bettie

… I said a few words after that …

Good morning Bettie,  I am enjoying the cooling off from some rain down here too, but I still have to go into work later, and I am sure that the heat will return.
As for your "few" words you spoke, even if this were accurate, the words you spoke was just as important and inspiration to those there as your post are to us here; and even thought I too was surprised at some moments at my anniversary, you have no reason to be surprised, see yourself as the others that count do.
Your friend,
Larry

Thanks 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.– 8/20/2011 5:41:52 PM: post edited by paul315.

[paul315]

Originally posted by bettie

Originally posted by bettie
         My name is Bettie-Greatful Recovering Compulsive Gambler, last day gambled 8-18-2010.
     

Good morning Bettie,
Well done. I am happy to be a brother-in-arms with you. You have achieved much in your time of recovery; and have provided must help to others as well.
I took the liberty to mention you as one that helped me in my recovery during my anniversary recognition, saying that not only were the "live" members of GA a source of help, but there were others that we have never met. I even used parts of the "Enough" post in my sharing, contributing my use of it to you as one of the things you were considering using in your pinning.
Again, well done.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.

[paul315]

Good afternoon all,
I have decided to make another entry to this, what started out to be my main topic for my post, but one I do not follow daily;  I spend a lot of time here, but in participating is other ways. Sometimes I feel that I may be taking too much time from others things in my life but in reading a post from Frozen I recognized that the time spent doing this, in his words, "reading, writing, thinking, self-lecture, forgiving, coaching, believing",  is time "well spent" and is "a good investment".  I also find that it is far less time, and more beneficial, that gambling in the past took up, and even far less time that I spent at work doing most of the same things during part of my career. Time spent occupying most of my days without remorse, other than the forthcoming remorse from the gambling; was no different than this time that I also spend away from other activities, and also without remorse. Today’s entry is for me to put behind me a past and minor dilemma, and to also recognize some good that I have doubted or failed to see in my sharing at meetings. 
In a couple of recent chat rooms I talked to others about some concerns dealing with another member in that he may have forgotten about his volunteering to bring a cake that is a tradition to honor the anniversary of our members.  During the very limited meeting before my anniversary he, and almost all of the others were unable to attend, there were only two of us there and no reminders of the cake were made.  My dilemma was whether or not I should call him, showing a lack of confidence in his commitment, to bring the cake myself showing the same negativity, or just to accept what would happen; there would be a cake or no cake.  I decided to "Let go and let what happen happen"; it was not up to me to make problems out of what could be no problem.  I am happy that I reached this decision and it made the days leading up to my anniversary more enjoyable, and the event in itself more enjoyable.
As it turns out, he did forget, but it was the actions of others reminding him at the last moment that caused him to bring the cake without any issue; I did not show my previous and discarded doubts, nor did he have to deal with any possible guilt.  And we all had cake.  There was even another member celebrating 2 Years in addition to me (our clean date is only a day apart), one that had not attended any of the meeting for most of the past year due to school, yet he took off this one night to proclaim his continued abstinence and to celebrate. Although the cake was for all, I felt that I was able to share my cake with him and be encouraged by his upholding his resolve to not gamble, even in his not being able to attend meetings; meeting are important, but being able to stick to our recovery and principles when circumstances do not permit attendance, or when temptations or urges pop up, is more important.
As for my posting to recognize good, and not withstanding the cautions found in yesterday’s; Thought for the day" (copied below), concerning tooting your own horn; for this is far from my intent, mine is to recognize that my efforts do not fall to the wayside and that I may not be the pest that I see.
In our GA meetings most of the sharing is about people’s lives and not concentrated on "recovery", per se. Even during our once-a-month Step Meetings that are to be dedicated to the corresponding numbered Step, the sharing is about their families.  I accept and appreciate this form of sharing, in fact I get as much, if not more, from this, and the stories those here tell about their lives and daily actions, that I do from the advice and suggestions offered, or the information I find in searching. I recognize that the life we live resulting form our recovery is what recovery is really about — for us to be able to live a better way of life, to experience all the adventures; and sharing in this better way is a part of recovery. And I do talk about the joys and happiness I find in living gambling free; I share in the good life as the outcome of my recovery as well.
However, for me, in both my post and my replies to others, I tent to stick to the principles of recovery and the ways and means to use them in my life so that I will continue being gambling free — to me it seems that I might be a pest at trying to guide others to think about or comment on ways to work a program of recovery. Even during the time that I have chaired meetings, I go out of the way to ask that others include these thoughts along with the talk about everyday life; it works at times with some, but for the most part I think that I come across as being bossy when some respond with only "I have nothing to say about that, but … blah blah blah" (this term is not to belittle what they do say, it is just to represent the words they do use). Little of my sharing at the meeting, or in my post here is about my life.  I do not hide my life, and I have and do talk about it on occasion, but most of my time is taken up by my looking for answers.  I have always felt that others might find that I am only taking the opportunity to promote my own thoughts, while I am merely trying to get my thoughts in some order so as to work on my recovery, that I am in reality using my form of posting and sharing as therapy for my shortcomings.
At my anniversary celebration, these thoughts and fears were somewhat put to rest, I was completely surprised to hear one after another member mention how they enjoyed and benefited from my "being a pest" – my words not theirs, and how encouraging it was for them to continue to look at their recovery, how they appreciated all the searching I did to work my recovery and that they benefited from my sharing in my efforts. Seeing that I did not have to put myself down, left a better taste than the cake.
Sorry about the ranting and long post, but this is my journey and in trying to know and find myself I hope to lose any misery that could possibly hold me back. Today I will make an effort to accept what I do, and not judge others on how I perceive their reactions.
God’s speed to all. Stay strong. Keep aware.
 

Today’s thought from Hazelden is:

 
Resolve to be thyself; and know, that he who finds himself, loses his misery.
–Matthew Arnold

We all have known the braggarts, the boastful ones who constantly toot their own horns. These people crave approval because they don’t yet approve of themselves. There are those who do the same thing but they’re not so noisy about it. The girl who says she’s ugly even though she’s pretty, or the guy who says he’s dumb even though he isn’t. These are not humble people. They are people who need to learn to approve of themselves.

We don’t have to be either of these people now. We can honestly look at ourselves and see our strengths and weaknesses for what they are. We don’t have to put ourselves down today. Best of all, we can now accept compliments graciously.

Today I will make an effort to accept myself.
You are reading from the book:
 
Our Best Days by Nancy Hull-Mast

 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.

[paul315]

Day 730
Hello, my name is Larry and I am a compulsive gambler, my last bet was August 13, 2009; two years ago today. There is no GA meeting in my area today so you might find a lot of post in different areas here; the way that I can celebrate this milestone is to be active at a "meeting" that is available 24/7/365.
I read many post from those reaching single digit or more days of being gambling free and how they are surprised and amazed at their ability to not gamble over this time frame. I can now think back and recall having the same thoughts and making the same statements at my different intervals; e.g. "I can’t believe that I have gone a week, a month, or any of the days that had accumulated. We seem to be surprised that we can do good, to do what is right by making the right choice.
 
Now that I have advanced some in my gambling free years, albeit only two at present, I am surprised that I could not have started sooner. This is not dismissing the power of addiction, it is recognizing the power of choice, the help of fellow gamblers, and the need of letting go; "Letting go and letting God", the leading part of my 3Gs, guide and strengthen me once I did accept and became willing to change.  Now that I am beginning each day with a resolve to not gamble for anything, I am not surprised to find that life is better.
 
I could not begin to name the individual ones that have helped me in my recovery, but I can recognize some groups, Gambling Therapy, Gamblers Anonymous, and my Friends and Family, all the ones that made my recovery a smoother course. I will also recognize another group, the collective new members just beginning, and the returning members after a slip, all the ones that join and share their stories; thanks to them and my being open to learning from others, I do not have to reenter the abyss I left. I do not have to satisfy any curiosities about the world of gambling or how I might now deal with it — with their coming here and posting of what has occurred during their gambling, I know that the only thing that has changed in my gambling world is me.
 
God’s speed and blessings to all. May you all find the strength and guidance in your own Higher Powers that will provide for peace and a better way of life.
Your Friend in RecoveryLarryThanks 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.

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