Forum Replies Created
-
AuthorPosts
-
paul315Participant
Originally posted by paul315
… This week-end I made a short trip …I told about this trip at my GA meeting last night and was reminded that GA prescribed ways to have prevented my dilemma. GA tells us: "Don’t test or tempt yourself. Don’t associate with acquaintances who gamble. Don’t go in or near gambling establishments". However, GA also tells me that through recovery we can "lead normal happy lives". Prior to this past trip, to be more precise, thirteen plus months prior to this last trip – the time before my recovery program, my addiction to compulsive gambling had complete control over my life and any possible enjoyment that I sought; it robed me of a normal happy life. I could not go to a concert back than, I had to be gambling; I could not participate in any social outing or family gathering, I had to be gambling; I could not work all of my scheduled hours, I had to be gambling. Gambling controlled my very being. This was wrong; having anything prevent someone from the pursuit of wholesome happiness is wrong. Now that I am in recovery I cannot let the recovery process prevent this God given right either; my recovery is not only a way to combat my addiction, it also allows me to live a better life.I have posted my thoughts on the first quote above on different occasions, but will repeat parts here. I do not tempt or test myself, I know that I would fail any self applied test – I would build in loop holes for me to fail; I would not go to any gambling establishment just to see if I could. I also feel that I can venture out into a world full of the temptations placed by the gambling industry and not succumb to them; I can go to the store without buying lottery tickets, I can go to work and not join the sports pools, I can benefit from my retirement that is funded with investments without gambling in day trades or commodities, I can pass by or even enter a casino sponsored or ran facility, with proper cause, and not gamble, I can even visit and associate with some of my friends and family that do gamble and not join in on their activities. Thanks to my recovery and the help and support from my fellow gamblers here and in the GA rooms, I can live a normal life and pursue happiness.Thanks to my recovery I can fall back on what I have learned through this process whenever unforeseen events block my way or create urges if I follow other advice in the GA principles; I can "try to practice to the best of our (my) ability, certain principles in our (my) daily affairs" and I can "NOT GAMBLE FOR ANYTHING" – I can do no more and still live a normal life, I can do no less knowing that anything less would be harmful.This is where I am, and I am aware of how I got here. I also realize that each of us is unique and must follow our own ways and programs; my thoughts and actions are not advice on what others should do, my post is me sharing my story, and a reminder for me to keep aware and stay strong.And added thought to this that I just received is:
Today’s thought from Hazelden:
Practice being spontaneous. Practice having fun.
The joy of recovery is that we finally get to experiment. We get to learn new behaviors, and we don’t have to do them perfectly. We only need to find a way that works for us. We even have fun experimenting, learning what we like, and how to do what we like.
Many of us have gotten into a rut with rigidity, martyrdom, and deprivation. We may hold ourselves in check so tightly that we wouldn’t allow ourselves to try something fun anyway.
We can let ourselves go a little now and then. We can loosen up a bit. We don’t have to be so stiff and rigid, so frightened about being who we are. Take some risks. Then, take another risk. Pick out a movie and then call a friend and invite him or her to go along. If that person says no, try someone else, or try again another time.
Decide to try something, and then go through with it. Go once. Go twice. Practice having fun until fun becomes fun.
Today, I will do something just for fun. I will practice having fun until I actually enjoy it.
You are reading from the book: The Language of Letting Go by Melody Beattie
— 9/28/2010 3:29:55 PM: post edited by paul315.
paul315ParticipantOriginally posted by kathryn in her topic, BELIEVE (new thread)
I wasnt going to write this post, but i feel it is important …
I wasn’t going to write this post, but I feel it is important, Kathryn started a post with these words to tell of an uncomfortable situation she experienced; I as using the same beginning to tell of a similar one.
This week-end I made a short trip to see Merle Haggard, and American Country singer – an Icon, in Tunica Mississippi. Tunica is basically a casino resort area and the concert was being held in one of the casinos auditorium. I rented a car, bought a concert ticket, and made reservations at the hotel in the same casino. The room and dinner were a free offer for my birthday; part of the player benefits I had earned (accumulated through my vast losses) from my past years of gambling at this chain of casinos.
I planed my trip so I would get there around 5 o’clock, have time to freshen up, have dinner, and then go to the concert, back to my room and home he nest morning; an evening all planed out. Then one of lives unexpected changes happened, Merle cancelled the concert due to illness. I was left with an evening empty of plans. There was still dinner, but when I went down to the buffet there was a long line the winded around the slot machine area. Here is where the discomfort started. I was use to going to the bus stop at a casino here, and even to a buffet in casino hotels; but these places are separate from the gambling areas. Here I was to have to wait in line near the slot machines; I could not do it, I had to leave and return to my room. It was the first time in months that a real urge to gamble took over.
I guess you can say I ran to my room to hide; or I was "sent to my room without supper" like a bad boy. Thankfully I had my laptop with me and logged on to a GA site and read over some of their pamphlets and guidelines. Then I logged on to the open chat here at GT and chatted the evening away with Betty. Thanks again Betty.
Because something unforeseen happened I was left with my barriers confermized; I had extra cash on hand, I had a night out without definite plans, and I was away from home out of my comfort zone. I realized that I still have a long way to go in my recovery, that caution has to be a constant companion.
So what was to be an enjoyable time turned out to be a stressful one; but also turned out to be a beneficial virtual type GA meeting, one with a extra long commute. I will be happy to attend the real one a couple blocks away tomorrow night.
God’s speed to all. 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.paul315ParticipantOriginally posted by bettie
Hi Guys,
Special note to Larry. Thanks for the long chat . Hopefull I helped u as much as u helped me tonight. …
Thank you, cyber-buddy!
bettieGood morning Betty,
I am here, so you helped. Thank you.
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.paul315ParticipantOriginally posted by kathryn
… the only access out was through the gaming room …
To live, that would be a great adventure – Peter Pan
Good morning Kathryn,
It was good to log on this morning ans see a post from you at the top of the page; although seeing your opening remarks at the top of your post set me back a little. It is so easy to jump to conclusions when we are paranoid about our own recovery, not only when we feel that we are tempting ourselves with dangerous actions. Your actions may have been dangerous but your reactions were courageous; you walked through the valley without harm – fear maybe, but no harm. Instead of harming yourself you built stronger defences; instead of keeping this secret, you shared with us, building stronger character. Even though the Biblical passage mentions walking through the shadows of death without fear; your fear is understandable, you were not in the shadow, you were on the cusp of a death to your sobriety.
Letting us know of the care we must take when we are out in the world, in the mist of the daemons, not only is a benefit to all here, it also reinforces your awareness of your recovery program and how you must continue to work it’s principles on a daily bases. We all react differently in facing the world and being in situations that would harm us; some may have succumbed to the temptation, some would have not even felt the fear and just past through as passing through any environment that they had no interest in. But the fact remains that no matter how we react to such situations; the only exit from our compulsive addiction is to pass through our own gambling rooms – we have to pass through, keep aware, and keep going.
You did good. God’s speed. Stay strong. Keep aware.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.paul315ParticipantOriginally posted by bettie
… So many details, so distressing. …
Dear Betty,
I really do feel for you; it is hard to see someone in pain, someone who is part of my life, even if only through a cyber network of friendship.
Stay strong. 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.paul315ParticipantOriginally posted by bettie
How can I tell my family what I let happen? …Betty, what did YOU let happen?
You are going through a transition period from addiction to recovery. Your energies need to be focused of that.
You suspect that your daughter is messed up in some way that is affecting her actions; and that she is not only supporting her habits, but those of her boy friend as well.
I may be wrong, but the only thing that I see happening is that you are being put in a guilt trip by either others r yourself and are going against all the warnings about handing out money to someone who is using theirs wrongly; you are enabling your daughter to continue in the ways you fear. She and her boyfriend are taking advantage; you are walking on a slippery slope. What happens when the rent is due and they come up with "the" story of why they do not have any money. Let the boyfriend keep the dogs while she is staying with you and HE finds them a suitable place to stay.
Sorry to sound so negative, but it is really meant to to try and give positive support. Look into what the members of F&F have found to be true in similar situations.
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.– 9/11/2010 9:52:05 PM: post edited by paul315.
paul315ParticipantOriginally posted by Kathryn
… I have my nephews 18th birthday party tomorrow …
Sounds like a good party. By the way, make two cakes; a smaller one for him, and a larger one with room for more candles for you – Happy Birthday eve.
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.– 9/10/2010 3:03:56 PM: post edited by paul315.
paul315ParticipantSeptember 7,
I don’t post to this thread often, mostly to document special events pertaining to my recovery, but will use it today to tell of a different event. Today is my birthday and I am grateful that I can start the day by logging on to this site. I have no special plans for today other than enjoying my gambling free time as I have since my last birthday. I will go about this in a celebratory manor since I am a die-hard at recognizing such events and holidays on the-day-of, and not the week-end-of or other more convenient day.
However, I do recognize that the ones I would like to celebrate with have conflicting obligations (except for the somewhat captive audience here; thanks to this 24 hour service, I can barge into your lives at any time) so their planed celebration.for me will wait until the week-end. Saturday we are going to see the UK’s ABBA Tribute Band, Arrival, perform with our St. Louis Symphony Orchestra. It has been years since I enjoyed "Take a Chance on Me" or "I Have a Dream" (and somehow "The Winner Takes It All", now has a new meaning to me), but the "Momma Mia" movie got my daughter and granddaughter into this music and she remembers my playing it years ago; so I will go back in time and celebrate and say "Thank You for the Music".
And while only a year ago, my addiction, the god I put before my own, was the winner that took it all; today I am the true winner — eventhough the losses were dear.
"The Winner Takes It All":
…"The gods may throw a dice
Their minds as cold as ice
And someone way down here
Loses someone dear
The winner takes it all
The loser has to fall
It’s simple and it’s plain
Why should I complain." …
God’s speed to those here that I am sharing today’s celebration with.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.paul315ParticipantOriginally posted by gracephnx
… I am anticipating reality dawning any day. …
Good morning Grace, it is good to see that you have made it another day and have accepted the reality in not gambling for anything is the only way to face another day for a CG. Reality has been dawning on you for your past gambling free days; face the dawn of each day and thrive on your accomplishment at every dust; soon you will be able to experience the other true realities of your recovery.
God’s speed. Stay strong.Larry"Day Two Is Another Day Behind" – With the help of a Higher Power, My 3G’s – God, GA, and GT, I will continue to be gambling free.paul315ParticipantEredetileg közzétette: mai
Nyilvánvalóan ezt nem tudom megtenni! Legalábbis nem olyan könnyen, mint gondoltam. …
Jó reggelt Mai,
Látom, pozitív bejegyzéssel zárta bejegyzését; Én is pozitív megjegyzést látok e bejegyzés nyitó részében; "Nem tudom megtenni! Legalábbis nem olyan könnyen, mint gondoltam" És igen, ez nem olyan egyszerű; a "Ne játssz semmiért" könnyű kimondani, és valójában könnyű megtenni, amíg a késztetés nem veszi át az uralmat.
Jó, hogy felismeri és elfogadja azt a tényt, hogy ebben a korai szakaszban nem könnyű; remélhetőleg ezt a tudást magánál hordja a gyógyulás során, és nem esik bele az önelégültség csapdájába, azt gondolva, hogy már nem kell dolgoznia ezen. Ez lehet tanács a jövőre nézve, de a jövő ma kezdődik; használd fel mindazt, amit tanultál.
A Gamcare tanácsadói ülések közelgő kezdete segít megtalálni a módját annak, hogy erősebbek legyünk, és legyőzzük azokat a késztetéseket, amelyek a héten lebuktatták, használja az ott tanultakat is; ahogy mondod, hozd ki a legtöbbet, és dolgozz keményebben. Addig is, mielőtt elkezdené a gyógyulásnak ezt a részét, és még utána is térjen vissza ide, és használja a megtalált segítséget. Maradj erős. Legyen tudatában.
Isten sebessége.Larry "A második nap egy újabb nap mögött" – Egy magasabb hatalom, a 3G -k – Isten, GA és GT segítségével továbbra is szerencsejáték nélkül maradok.paul315ParticipantOpprinnelig postet av mai
Dette kan jeg tydeligvis ikke! I hvert fall ikke så lett som jeg hadde trodd. …
God morgen Mai,
Jeg ser at du lukket innlegget ditt på en positiv måte; Jeg ser også et positivt notat i åpningen av dette innlegget; "Jeg kan ikke gjøre dette! I hvert fall ikke så lett som jeg hadde trodd", viser disse få ordene til din historie om gambling igjen at du kan gjøre dette. Og ja, det er ikke så lett; "Ikke spill for noe" er lett å si, og i sannhet er det lett å gjøre til en trang tar overhånd.
Det er bra at du gjenkjenner og godtar det faktum at det ikke er lett på dette tidlige stadiet; forhåpentligvis vil du bære denne kunnskapen gjennom hele utvinningen og ikke gå i fellen for å bli selvtilfreds, og tenke at du ikke lenger trenger å jobbe med det. Dette kan være råd for fremtiden, men fremtiden begynner i dag; bruk alt du lærer.
Din kommende start på Gamcare -rådgivningssesjonene vil hjelpe deg med å finne måter å bli sterkere på og overvinne oppfordringene som brakte deg ned denne uken, bruk det du lærer der også; som du sier, få mest mulig ut av det og jobbe hardere. Og i mellomtiden, før du starter den delen av restitusjonen, og til og med etterpå, må du fortsette å komme tilbake hit og bruke hjelpen du finner. Hold deg sterk. Vær oppmerksom.
Guds hastighet. Larry "Dag to er en annen dag bak" – Ved hjelp av en høyere kraft, mine 3G -er – Gud, GA og GT, vil jeg fortsette å være gambling gratis.paul315ParticipantПървоначално публикувано от mai
Очевидно не мога да направя това! Поне не толкова лесно, колкото си мислех. …
Добро утро Май,
Виждам, че сте затворили публикацията си с положителна нота; Виждам и положителна нотка в откриването на тази публикация; "Не мога да направя това! Поне не толкова лесно, колкото си мислех", тези няколко добавени думи към вашата история за хазарт отново показват, че можете да направите това. И да, не е толкова лесно; "Не залагайте за нищо" е лесно да се каже и в действителност е лесно да се направи, докато поривът не поеме.
Добре е да осъзнаете и приемете факта, че на този ранен етап не е лесно; надявам се, че ще носите тези знания със себе си през цялото си възстановяване и няма да попаднете в капана да станете самодоволни, мислейки, че вече не е нужно да работите върху това. Това може да е съвет за бъдещето, но бъдещето започва днес; използвайте всичко, което научите.
Предстоящото ви начало в сесиите за консултиране на Gamcare ще ви помогне да намерите начини да бъдете по -силни и да преодолеете поривите, които ви събориха тази седмица, използвайте и това, което научихте там; както казваш, възползвай се максимално и работи по -усилено. Междувременно, преди да започнете тази част от възстановяването си, и дори след това, продължете да се връщате тук и да използвате помощта, която ще намерите. Бъди силен. Бъдете наясно.
Божията скорост. Лари „Вторият ден е още един ден зад гърба“ – С помощта на Висша сила, Моите 3G – Бог, GA и GT, ще продължа да бъда свободен от хазарт.paul315ParticipantΑρχικά δημοσιεύτηκε από mai
Προφανώς δεν μπορώ να το κάνω αυτό! Τουλάχιστον όχι τόσο εύκολα όσο είχα σκεφτεί. …
Καλημέρα Μάι,
Βλέπω ότι έκλεισες την ανάρτησή σου θετικά. Βλέπω επίσης μια θετική σημείωση στο άνοιγμα αυτής της ανάρτησης. "Δεν μπορώ να το κάνω αυτό! Τουλάχιστον όχι τόσο εύκολα όσο είχα σκεφτεί", αυτές οι λίγες πρόσθετες λέξεις στην ιστορία των τυχερών παιχνιδιών σας δείχνουν ξανά ότι μπορείτε να το κάνετε αυτό. Και ναι, δεν είναι τόσο εύκολο. το "Μην παίζεις για τίποτα" είναι εύκολο να ειπωθεί και στην πραγματικότητα είναι εύκολο να γίνει μέχρι να αναλάβει μια παρόρμηση.
Είναι καλό που αναγνωρίζετε και αποδέχεστε το γεγονός ότι δεν είναι εύκολο σε αυτό το πρώιμο στάδιο. Ας ελπίσουμε ότι θα έχετε αυτή τη γνώση μαζί σας καθ 'όλη τη διάρκεια της ανάρρωσής σας και δεν θα πέσετε στην παγίδα του να εφησυχάσετε, νομίζοντας ότι δεν χρειάζεται πλέον να εργάζεστε σε αυτήν. Αυτό μπορεί να είναι συμβουλή για το μέλλον, αλλά, το μέλλον ξεκινά σήμερα. χρησιμοποιήστε όλα όσα μαθαίνετε.
Η επικείμενη έναρξή σας στις συμβουλευτικές συνεδρίες Gamcare θα σας βοηθήσει να βρείτε τρόπους για να είστε πιο δυνατοί και να ξεπεράσετε τις επιθυμίες που σας οδήγησαν σε αυτήν την εβδομάδα, χρησιμοποιήστε ό, τι μαθαίνετε και εκεί. όπως λες, αξιοποίησέ το στο έπακρο και δούλεψε περισσότερο. Και εν τω μεταξύ, πριν ξεκινήσετε αυτό το μέρος της ανάρρωσής σας, και ακόμη και μετά, συνεχίστε να επιστρέφετε εδώ και να χρησιμοποιείτε τη βοήθεια που θα βρείτε. Μείνε δυνατός. Ενημερωθείτε.
Η ταχύτητα του Θεού. Larry "Day Two Is Another Day Behind" – Με τη βοήθεια μιας Ανώτερης Δύναμης, των 3G μου – God, GA και GT, θα συνεχίσω να παίζω τζόγο δωρεάν.paul315Participantमूल रूप से माई द्वारा पोस्ट किया गया
स्पष्ट रूप से मैं यह नहीं कर सकता! कम से कम उतनी आसानी से नहीं जितना मैंने सोचा था। …
शुभ प्रभात माई,
मैं देख रहा हूं कि आपने अपनी पोस्ट को सकारात्मक रूप से बंद कर दिया है; मुझे इस पोस्ट के उद्घाटन में एक सकारात्मक टिप्पणी भी दिखाई दे रही है; "मैं यह नहीं कर सकता! कम से कम उतनी आसानी से नहीं जितना मैंने सोचा था", आपके जुए की कहानी में ये कुछ जोड़े गए शब्द फिर से दिखाते हैं कि आप यह कर सकते हैं। और हाँ, यह इतना आसान नहीं है; "किसी भी चीज़ के लिए जुआ न करें" कहना आसान है, और वास्तव में ऐसा करना तब तक आसान है जब तक कि कोई आग्रह हावी न हो जाए।
यह अच्छा है कि आप इस तथ्य को पहचानते हैं और स्वीकार करते हैं कि इस प्रारंभिक अवस्था में यह आसान नहीं है; उम्मीद है कि आप इस ज्ञान को अपने पूरे पुनर्प्राप्ति के दौरान अपने साथ रखेंगे और आत्मसंतुष्ट होने के जाल में नहीं पड़ेंगे, यह सोचकर कि अब आपको इस पर काम करने की आवश्यकता नहीं है। यह भविष्य के लिए सलाह हो सकती है, लेकिन, भविष्य की शुरुआत आज से होती है; जो कुछ भी आप सीखते हैं उसका उपयोग करें।
Gamcare परामर्श सत्रों में आपकी आगामी शुरुआत आपको मजबूत होने के तरीके खोजने में मदद करेगी और इस सप्ताह आपको नीचे लाए गए आग्रहों को दूर करने में मदद करेगी, जो आप वहां भी सीखते हैं उसका उपयोग करें; जैसा आप कहते हैं, इसका अधिकतम लाभ उठाएं और कड़ी मेहनत करें। और इस बीच, अपनी वसूली के उस हिस्से को शुरू करने से पहले, और उसके बाद भी, यहां वापस आते रहें और जो मदद आपको मिलेगी उसका उपयोग करते रहें। मजबूत रहो। जागरूक रहें।
भगवान की गति। लैरी "दिन दो एक और दिन पीछे है" – एक उच्च शक्ति की मदद से, माई 3 जी – गॉड, जीए, और जीटी, मैं जुआ मुक्त रहना जारी रखूंगा।paul315ParticipantPrvotno objavio mai
Očigledno je da ja to ne mogu učiniti! Barem ne tako lako kao što sam mislio. …
Dobro jutro Maj,
Vidim da ste pozitivno zaključili svoj post; Također vidim pozitivnu notu u otvaranju ovog posta; "Ne mogu to učiniti! Barem ne tako lako kao što sam mislio", ovih nekoliko dodanih riječi vašoj priči o kocki ponovno pokazuje da to možete učiniti. I da, to nije tako lako; "Ne kockajte se ni u što" lako je reći, a uistinu je lako učiniti sve dok poriv ne ovlada.
Dobro je da prepoznate i prihvatite činjenicu da u ovoj ranoj fazi nije lako; nadamo se da ćete to znanje nositi sa sobom tijekom oporavka i da nećete pasti u zamku da postanete samozadovoljni, misleći da više ne morate raditi na tome. Ovo može biti savjet za budućnost, ali budućnost počinje danas; iskoristite sve što naučite.
Vaš nadolazeći početak savjetovanja o Gamcareu pomoći će vam da pronađete načine da postanete jači i prevladate porive koji su vas srušili ovaj tjedan, upotrijebite i ono što ste tamo naučili; kao što kažeš, iskoristi to maksimalno i radi više. U međuvremenu, prije nego započnete taj dio svog oporavka, pa čak i nakon toga, nastavite se vraćati ovamo i koristiti pomoć koju ćete pronaći. Ostani jak. Budite svjesni.
Božja brzina. Larry "Drugi dan je još jedan dan iza" – Uz pomoć Više sile, mojih 3G -a – Boga, GA i GT, nastavit ću se bez kockanja. -
AuthorPosts