[paul315]

Originally posted by cat438   in the topic  "Day Two is Still a Day Away  by paul315".  aka Larry 
 
 … You have helped me more than you know … 
One day at a time my sweet lord…
 
Good morning Cat,
Thanks for the kind words to my topic and the support that you too offer me and others. We are a community of people in need of help and each of us receive and give that help that we can.  It is good to hear form you. It is good to be able to say the my commitment for June in your topic "JUNE – ODAAT!!!"  is holding true for me, and more importantly, that my daily pledge, that I now only occasionally post to the topic Our Daily Pledge,  is continually being fulfilled thanks to the help that I  receive here from all and from those in my GA meetings, "we are not alone".
Reaching out here is something that I did at a time of great need, not even knowing what I was in need of. But here I found reference to a poem, Another Chance,  that defined what it was that I needed, a poem that I later found was also used in a Gamblers Anonymous pamphlet,  "Towards 90 Days" see http://www.gachicago.org/Literature/Towards-90-Days.html.  I again copy that poem below in hopes that it will inspire others to reach out and keep moving forward One Day At A Time.
I am doing good with my staying gambling free, yet some of my past still haunts me and dealing with that puts a strain on my resolve at *****. But as Carole used to post,"it is what it is" and I find that this problem is somewhat separate from my gambling one. I am finding that I can not blame my gambling on everything that I did wrong, I need to take responsibility for the actions other than those caused while being under the influence of this addiction. And it is harder to deal with my life before I crossed over the line than it is to deal with the addictive part. But I am progressing in that area as well.
God’s speed. Stay strong.
Another Chance
Fellow Gambler, take my hand;
I’m your friend, I understand.
I’ve known your guilt, your shame, remorse;
I’ve borne the burden of your cross.
I found a friend who offered ease;
He suffered, too, with this disease.
Although he had no magic cure,
He showed how we could endure.
We walked together side by side;
We spoke of things we had to hide.
We told of sleepless nights and debts,
Of broken homes and lies and threats.
and so my weary gambler friend,
Please take this hand that I extend.
Take one more chance on something new,
Another gambler helping 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 hope to continue to remain gambling free.

[paul315]

Originally posted by cat438

…  we just have to focus on today … 
One day at a time my sweet lord…

June 1st —
Today I pledge to not gamble. It takes days to add up to a week, and weeks to add up to a month; and this holds true for June.
God’s speed. 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 hope to continue to remain gambling free.

[paul315]

Originally posted by running girl

I DID IT!!!  100 per cent gambling free in May …
  Onward to June !!!  RG

Good morning,
Well done RG, I am happy to say that I can join you in proclaiming this achievement. But, it was only because I practiced one of the cliches of recovery; The 7Ts of staying gambling free – "Take Time To Think The Thing Through". If I had not taken this time and excepted the findings as the truth, I would not be able to join you and the others that help true to their resolve.  Again, Well Done.
And also well done to any others that were gambling free for any amount of tine in May. It is a One Day At A Time process and each gambling free day only builds our strength and eliminates any destruction that would have taken hold if we had gambled. Even the days that some found to be a set back, can help in progressing on this journey — if you recognize the mistake and move forward.
And also a bid WELL DONE to Cat on her achievement, and a Thank You to her for her starting this topic; hopefully I will see another topic addressing June that I can be a part of; but, if not, I am still grateful that I am starting June gambling free after a gambling free May, and starting my day with a pledge to not gamble for anything.
God’s speed. Stay strong. Keep aware, and keep practicing the 7Ts anytime that a gambling thought arises by playing the tape through to the end — the end is always the same.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 hope to continue to remain gambling free.

[paul315]

Originally posted by paul315
 … we still have to make the right choices each day … 

May 27, 2013 —  Memorial Day, Decoration Day, Remembrance Day.
Good afternoon,
This morning I again woke up asking for strength and wisdom to make the right choice; started my day by making a daily pledge to not gamble.
But today I will also share my thought on another occasion and break away from the disrespectful "Memorial Day Sale" advertising, and will also admonish the gambling industry in their Memorial Day Promotions" that have evolved into nothing more than a sacrilege to those the gave all for their respective countries.  Except for a few politically required ceremonies, and the ones that actually think of today as one for honoring the fallen, Memorial Day seems to have become nothing more than a sales gimmick for cooperate America.
Nevertheless, today I am taking the time to remember the one acquaintance, strange that that seams to me as it being only one, that I had as a teenager that was killed in action during the Vietnam War. He was not a close friend at the time, but he was someone that left a void in a group of young boys that hung around together at a local drive-in food place.  Each year I remember his youthfulness and being, and each year I consider him more of a friend than just an acquaintance, a friend that gave his life for the ones that still convened around their cars and enjoyed life and the freedom that was secured by his death, RIP Lance Corporal Blaze Magyar.
And in keeping with the reason for this site and program, and hopefully not diminishing the reason for today in any way, I will also take the liberty to mention some others connected with my recovery that have died. Two were members of my group; their involvement gave me guidance and a belief that I could live gambling free. The other one that I think of today that was an influence of my recovery is my brother who died after living a long time of being gambling free himself. A short time before his death he forced me to take it upon myself to separate myself from the powers of my addiction. His tuff love opened that path to the journey that I am on today. If he had given in to my pleas and enabled me to continue on the path of destruction I would not be able to say "I did not gamble yesterday, and I hope and pray to not gamble today". 
Thanks for the time for me to vent out some feelings and thoughts. Thanks for all of you support and friendship.
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 hope to continue to remain gambling free.

[paul315]

Originally posted by P

Hi Larry … Hope things are going well for you …, by the sounds of it they are and that is fantastic. Ive always admired your recovery. I notice you mention a lot about your slip but really it was 3 days out of four years.. Usual relapses for me would last a little longer than that!! Your recovery has remained strong no matter what day it is. You’ve done really really well and i think the amount of time starts getting ingrained when you are in GA but it doesn’t really matter about the time but what you put into those gamble free days and how you are living in that time. I know the GA program has helped me a huge amount. I get what they mean by when you work it you see the results. You obviously are doing that too. Will miss seeing your daily posts but you gotta do what you gotta do. Always be aware when you start feeling like stepping away a bit. Sure you are well aware though, you are living recovery Larry P
Good morning,
Thanks for the kind words P,  and the words of advice on being aware; keeping aware and acting on that awareness is an important part of recovery. Meetings and working at recovery helps in keeping us aware and in causing changes to take place; but, we still need to act on what we learn and allow the changes to take hold, we still have to make the right choices each day. 
I am doing good, good as far as not gambling that is. But the past few weeks have been ruff as to my health. First I fell and hurt myself, and then after those injuries started to heal I was hit by an attack of allergies and sinus infection. I have never had to deal with, or suffer from, this common ailment before in all the years of my life, but I know now just how bad it can be and can sympathise  more with those the suffer yearly.  It kicked my a**, I am just thankful that the injuries to my rib cage were healing so that all the sneezing and coughing did not cause addition pain to that area as well.  Not only did the sinus problem cause me pain, but the medicine to help it caused me to be a complete zombie.  Now I am doing better, the pressure and pain has subsided, and the congestion and labored breathing is slowing leaving also.  Looking back it is hard to believe that when in action I would have forced myself to be at the casino no matter what, when now that I am living a more normal life I was unable to do normal things, like going to work or to leave the house for a few days.  I guess part of living normally is to recognize your limitations and not force the issues.
Hope things are going well for all of you. More later.
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 hope to continue to remain gambling free.

[paul315]

Originally posted by paul315
… Thanks to all of you, thanks to my God, and thanks to organizations like GT and GA, I can say; my name is Larry and I am a Recovering Compulsive Gambler …

Good morning,
Below is a post that I intended to post in the "Our Daily Pledge " topic, but thought it was more appropriate for my journal than in a pledge. But, before going into that matter, I am happy to still be able to say that "my name is Larry and I am a Recovering Compulsive Gambler, with a clean date of October 17, 2013, and not a CG still in action, plus to update this topic with my thoughts and progress.
I don’t post to this page often but it still hold an accounting of many of the milestones of my journey, and many thoughts that I am able to go back and read when I need a reminded of why I am in recovery and why I log into this community of fellow gamblers. I am doing good and feel that I am progressing from what RG related to in her post before this one: "the first six month achievement has a celebratory tone … one of relief and certainty.  This time around, I sense uncertainty and sadness". I am once again felling that I am living gambling free, not just not gambling.  This realization came about after a time a few weeks ago where I had rented a car for the weekend to attend a musical event where my granddaughter go to sing her fist solo part. Going to the program was not the determining factor, in fact the realization came a few days after the week-end, a week-end of not gambling more than feeling of living gambling free.
Normally when I rent a car for such occasions I also use it to go out on the town. As mentioned in an earlier post last time I did this I found myself cruising a casino parking lot, I didn’t go in, but that thought and a fear of repeating it, and perhaps giving in this time, keep me from the more normal activities of life., I could not go out that week-in for fear of gambling[ this was not a good feeling.  This fear also hampered plans for an Easter Brunch the following week, but instead of just not going to one that was adjusted to a casino, I was able to go to one that was out of reach of the temptation; the meal was good, but that fact that fear forced me to do something more logistically complicated than necessary was not good.
Thinking this over, and reviewing the needs in a couple of the GA Steps,the following days I now feel that fear is behind me, that warning feeling is again an awareness.  Fear did little to stop me before I started recovery, and could not depend on it that much to keep me from gambling.  So today I once again feel a certainty that I can not gamble. And today I realize that I needed to post to my journal more than to post a pledge that I make every day whether it is posted or not; and that brings me to the following that is here instead of in my other topic.
Now for the part relating to my pledge topic.
 
"Posting of a daily pledge seems to have become more of a chore than to something that was natural to me. I am tired, not tired of recovery or working on changes that make recovery possible, but tired of feeling guilty when I miss posting on some days. To eliminate this guilt I feel that letting it be known that I may not post each day is the best way for me to deal with yet another problem tied to this addiction; an inherited responsibility to help others. The desire to help is not a problem in itself, in fact it is part of the positive actions that allows us to progress in recovery. But for me it has become a problem in that when I fail to post I feel guilty, and guilt is not a good thing.
With this said, I will not be posting to "Our Daily Pledge" on a daily bases, but will post when the opportunity presents itself in the right manor; not one of obligations but one more within an act of sharing. I will continue to make my own daily pledge to not gamble for I feel that a renewed commitment is needed each day for this ODAAT process, and I have no thoughts of signing off or not participating in the services of GT. This is not to say that I will not post daily at times, or that I might follow another scheduled posting, it is just a notice that I may not post here each day and that the reason for me is a positive one, not one of a overly concern to others.
In one of my first post to the conceptual topic of this venture ,"The" Daily Pledge by justin South Africa , I spoke of a strength I found in making a pledge: "I will make this pledge again also, and why not, after lying to one’s self over a period of time a pledge is easy to make. Now I can go through the day living another lie. Or, just maybe, my pledge will turn out to be the truth again today. At least I am giving myself a choice and not just excepting that I have to gamble". Throughout the years I have found this to be true each day; I could choose to gamble or not to gamble, and I could strengthen this decision with a pledge. Thankfully, I have been able to fulfill this pledge all but a few of my days in recovery; and I am even more thankful that on the third day after my crash I was able to start another consecutive time frame of day not gambling, now over 200 days, to add to my combined years of being gambling free.
In my first post on the new topic, "Our" Daily Pledge, as an extension to Justin’s, and in naming it as a connection for me to the prayer of "Give us this day …", I also recognized the strength that I continued to find in making a pledge: "In making a daily pledge not to gamble I find it to be a tool, or even a nourishment much like the bread above. My pledge feeds and strengthens me, allows me to make amends for my wrongs, and keeps me from the temptations of gambling; it helps deliver me from the powers of my addiction".
So again my pledge will still be made if not posted, and I will know that it, along with the actions taken to fulfill it, will help me in my daily progress. I also still understand the need to reach out, and recognize the comfort and help that be found when we and others reach out to take the hand of another as expressed in the poem found in the GA pamphlet, "Towards 90 Days" (see http://www.gachicago.org/Literature/Towards-90-Days.html), and will still be reaching out for help, and to provide support — "We are not alone". 
 

Fellow gambler, take my hand;

I’m your friend, I understand.

I’ve known your guilt, your shame, remorse;

I’ve borne the burden of your cross.

I found a friend who offered ease;

He suffered, too, with this disease.

Although he had no magic cure,

He showed how we could endure.

We walked together side by side;

We spoke of things we had to hide.

We told of sleepless nights and debts,

Of broken homes and lies and threats.

And so my weary gambler friend,

Please take this hand that I extend.

Take one more chance on something new,

Another gambler helping you.
                                  Author unknown
One Day At A Time – They Add Up  
God’s speed. Stay Strong. Keep taking action.
 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 hope to continue to remain gambling free.

[paul315]

Originally posted by desdemona

I’m back posting again …

Good morning Desdemona aka Carole,
It is good to see you back posting. Good, although not entirely  good for you in all ways, to see you speaking of problems other than those of gambling. Living a more normal life has its ups and downs; but they are not near as devastating as the dispair we add on our own by making wrong choices involving gambling.  And as with the character your new name represents, all may not be marry but you fight off the bad by continuing to strive for and hold onto the good.
God’s speed. 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 hope to continue to remain gambling free.

[paul315]

Originally posted by nintendo 64… the 3/ 5 or 10 top most helpful ways to distract you or help you recover … 
Good evening Nintendo, welcome to GT, a place where you can find answers and help to many questions; maybe not the same question that you are asking here, but answers to help you make changes in your life so that you can just accept living in a different and more normal way without looking for replacements.
My name is Larry and I am a compulsive gambler, my last bet was October 17, 2012, a dreadful binge that came about finding myself unguarded after over three years of being gambling free – three years of being able to "distract" myself form the urges and temptations of gambling. I have found that when we make changes in our lives and hold true to the desires to stop gambling, that the things that gambling took form us begin to return, we do not have to necessarily look for new thing to do, we gradually return doing what we did before crossing over the line.  Looking back that life may have seemed to be mundane, too challenging, or uneventful. Nevertheless it was a more normal way of living, and one where we had a better control and knowledge of our choices.
Until the positive things that occupied our time in the past can once again take hold, or if they were only negative actions that do need to be replaced and we need to find new things, we need to force ourselves to do a variety of more positive things; one of the cliches of recovery is to "**** it until we make it". Those activities can range form simple to intense challenges to our self.  But other than searching for distractions, we can also just enjoy the life around us," take time to smell the roses" so to speak, renew the ***** we spent with friends and loved ones, or just do nothing.  
Doing nothing is the hardest thing to do, but one of the most beneficial steps we can take, some call this time meditation, Zen, or just examining our lives in quite ways; we can just "be still and know". Another important thing that will help is to work on recovery, making amends for our wrong doings, setting up barrios to help when urges or temptations *****, and even to begin to help others, but without ignoring our own *****.  There is also attending meetings, look for a live support group in your area such as Gamblers Anonymous, and spend time with others, in addition to participating in the services provide here.  Do all you can to combat this disease while you are also not gambling for anything.
Sorry to be vague about actual things to do, but you do need to find what fits into your live yourself; yet and above all, you also have to be open and willing to do things that you find in reading the post here, or the things that just come to mind. Being Honest, Open minded, and Willing is HOW recovery will work for you.
God’s speed, use your Higher Power to guide and strengthen 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 hope to continue to remain gambling free.

[paul315]

Originally posted by bettie

Hi Guys,
Always good to see some posts.
Larry I saw Phantom back in 1992 in Chicago. What a show!
P I am glad to see you posting-always a good sign!
Rg just tickled that you are back.
Deb if we lived closer you would tire of me!
Cat look forward to seeing you again my friend.
Vera, so glad to see you taking positive steps and taking care of YOU!
I think it’s going to take months and months to sort through all the Doctor bills. I need to protest some of the bills as the insurance should have paid some of them as in network. Really need to be an insurance expert to know whats right and wrong. My physical therapy has been cut to 2x a week-due to insurance issues.
I am not looking forward to going back to work but I am physically ready. I have good movement and little pain. I am sure that will change as I get back into the swing of working 40 hours. My assistant manager has been fired so it will be interesting.
I have done nothing about finding a therapist ( mental health ). I know I need it, just afraid to do it. I cry at 12 step meetings. They might have to carry me out of an individual session!
I think i need to start changing my thoughts from physical recovery to gambling recovery. There have been more than a few times that I might have gambled when I was off work-if I had the money.
 … That’s a scary thought!
bettie

Good morning Bettie,
Unfortunately insurance and cost are more of a determining factor to our needs than they should, or need, to be. Once the profit loss flag pops up we are dismissed. Nevertheless, keep doing what you can on your own, use the same techniques that your use in therapy at home; no coach to push you but the work is still needed.
As for your scary thoughts, they are far better than regretting wrongful actions.
God’s speed. 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 hope to continue to remain gambling free.

[paul315]

Originally posted by sookie… I have not been gambling for 9 months now …
Good morning Sookie,
Well done. sorry to hear about the break up, but that is now part of the past that you need to let go (if only I could follow my own advice).  Keep working at moving forward and adding to your clean time.
Again well done on reaching the 9 Month milestone.
God’s speed. 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 hope to continue to remain gambling free.

[paul315]

Originally posted by uncontrolled
 … a gift that we do have…CHOICE …

Good morning Ed,
It is good to see that you are enjoying the benefits of being gambling free, that life is getting better. The awareness of the changes in your life is supported by today’s Thought for the Day (see below). I know that for me it is the same, being able to live and think in more normal ways is one of the blessings that our addiction took from us.
We also need to know that we do have a choice, that this is our gift to ourselves. However, as with most gifts they have to be opened, accepted and put to use. While engulfed in this addiction we had little choice, but once we come to realize that our lives are unmanageable and that gambling causes growing and continuing problems — that we need help, we have reached an age of accountability where the choices we have are ours to make.   Like you and many others, "Today I choose not to gamble".
God’s speed. Stay strong. Keep aware.
 

Today’s thought from Hazelden is:

Often happiness calls but we are too busy to answer.
–Ellen H.

In the pursuit of happiness many people are too busy to find that which they seek. Frequently the happiness we so passionately desire is found in little events that are but whispered. If we don’t pay attention, we miss them.

There can be happiness in the way light falls through the trees. There can be happiness in the way our children call for us by name or in the familiar sight of our home as we round the corner two blocks away. Happiness weaves its way through precious memories and keepsakes that have no monetary value but are priceless to us. Many take enormous delight in the presence of a beloved pet, just the way it looks at us or the unconditional love it pours out upon us. For some, there is genuine delight in the taste of a specially loved food.

We are surrounded by that which can be meaningful and full of delight. The question is, will we be still and quiet long enough to enjoy it?

 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 hope to continue to remain gambling free.

[paul315]

Первоначально отправлено неконтролируемым
… подарок, который у нас есть … ВЫБОР …

Доброе утро, Эд,
Приятно видеть, что вы наслаждаетесь преимуществами бесплатной азартной игры, что жизнь налаживается. Осведомленность об изменениях в вашей жизни поддерживается сегодняшней мыслью дня (см. Ниже). Я знаю, что для меня это то же самое, возможность жить и думать более нормальным образом – одно из благословений, которые наша зависимость отняла у нас.
Нам также нужно знать, что у нас есть выбор, что это наш подарок самим себе. Однако, как и большинство подарков, их нужно открыть, принять и использовать. Хотя мы были поглощены этой зависимостью, у нас не было выбора, но как только мы пришли к пониманию, что наша жизнь неуправляема и что азартные игры вызывают растущие и продолжающиеся проблемы – что нам нужна помощь, мы достигли возраста ответственности, когда выбор, который у нас есть, остается за нами. сделать. Как и вы, и многие другие: «Сегодня я предпочитаю не играть».
Божья скорость. Оставайся сильным. Имейте в виду.

Сегодняшняя мысль Хазелдена такова:

Часто взывает счастье, но мы слишком заняты, чтобы ответить.
– Эллен Х.

В погоне за счастьем многие люди слишком заняты, чтобы найти то, что ищут. Часто счастье, которого мы так страстно желаем, можно найти в небольших событиях, о которых мы говорим только шепотом. Если мы не обращаем внимания, мы скучаем по ним.

Счастье может быть в том, как свет падает сквозь деревья. Счастье может быть в том, как наши дети зовут нас по имени, или в том, как мы видим наш дом, когда мы завернем за угол в двух кварталах от нас. Счастье проходит через драгоценные воспоминания и сувениры, которые не имеют денежной ценности, но бесценны для нас. Многие получают огромное удовольствие от присутствия любимого питомца, от того, как оно смотрит на нас, или от безусловной любви, которую оно изливает на нас. Некоторые испытывают истинное наслаждение от вкуса особенно любимой еды.

Нас окружает то, что может быть значимым и полным восторга. Вопрос в том, будем ли мы оставаться спокойными достаточно долго, чтобы наслаждаться этим?

Ларри: Спасибо моей Высшей Мощи, Моим 3G – Богу, GA и GT, «День второй – еще один день позади», и с помощью всех я надеюсь и дальше оставаться в азартных играх бесплатно.

[paul315]

Originally posted by vikkydonlad… i hope we will have a good time in the future.
Good morning Vikky, my name is Larry and I am a compulsive gambler, my last bet was October 17, 2012, a bet made after over three years of being gambling free when I found myself in the right set of circumstance and unguarded. Welcome to GT, a place where you can learn to be gambling free and live a more normal way of life so you can have good ***** in the future without being tied to gambling.
Read the post of others and follow the advice and suggestions that relate to your *****. Ban yourself from the gambling venues that you frequent, including any online sites or blogs or forums that promote gambling. You can also install blocking programs that will prevent you form using online sites if that is one of the ways that you gamble — one of the ways that you mistakenly seen as a good time in the past.
Look for a live help group in your area such as Gamblers Anonymous where you can share your problems and progress with others in person in addiction to participating in the services here; do all you can to combat this addiction. You have to go after recovery, it doe not come to you.
God’s speed, use your Higher Power to strengthen and guide 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 hope to continue to remain gambling free.– 5/8/2013 6:42:03 PM: post edited by paul315.

[paul315]

Originally posted by bettie
.. Well time does fly when you are having fun! …

Good morning Bettie,
Happy that you and Deb had a good visit, even if the time flew by; however, waking up knowing that the fun was real is far better that waking up and regretting the so called fun of gambling. 
In a way we all started out wishing we were dead, even some of us thinking about helping that wish come true, yet we also woke up and accepted that we need help form others like you have found in the ones that you have been able to meet in person. Our community is a caring one, and one that allows up to have fun and enjoy life in a more normal way.
In reading your post to Vera you reminded me of how far each of us has progressed, and also of the "if only" thoughts that can haunt us. "If only it was so, these are the loneliest words I know" *, but they are also the words that will cause us to let go once we realize that life is about what we do more than about what we failed to do.
God’s speed.
* From Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Whistle Down the Wind; hear here on an unusual overlay to scenes from Phantom of the Opera     http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iq5Y_t34M6g
 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 hope to continue to remain gambling free.

[paul315]

Originally posted by Vera
… If I had used the tools I was given then, I would now be debt free, gamble free and in a far better state of health than I am today …
                  and,  by bettie
… Had I stayed the course I was on five years ago I might be dead by now …
 

Good morning,
As one can see in the different realizations above, our thinking and attitudes are an important part of recovery. On one hand "if only" shows our shortcoming, while on the other hand the "if not for" represents our progress. Both trains of thought are in my mind, but the "if not for" is the one that recovery takes over and moves us forward, for as Bettie points out quite a few of us would possibly be dead and not able to progress.
God’s speed. Stay strong. Keep moving forward and knowing that it is progress not perfection. This thought is far better than waking up wishing that we were dead.  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 hope to continue to remain gambling free.

[Author]

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