[cat438]

I thought I would change this to be more about today than the month!!! I know that I did not join the monthly pact as I could not seem to get through it at one time. I know that my thinking has changed since then and I don’t focus on the end of the Month any more, I focus on the day. May has 31 days and every day that we don’t gamble is a good day!!!!
When you post on this don’t think about the month or never gambling again, just commit to ODAAT.
We are all compulsive gamblers or gambling addicts or whatever we want to call it. We know how the other person is feeling when they are going through struggles to stay away, what the gambling hangover is like, the self loathing, the lieing, losing money we can’t afford to lose, waiting for pay day, trying to lie to ourselves saying that we will do controlled gambling (I don’t know how many times I tried that). We will just go one more time and it goes on and on. We are all in this together, although we may feel alone, we are not we understand how it feels. The inspiration that I used to get from others who had some gamble free time gave me hope that it could be done. We are compulsive gamblers we can never gamble responsibly. The yearning that I had to be a responsible gambler. I felt jealous of all the people who can gamble responsibly, but the truth of the matter is I would not have felt like that if I was not a compulsive gambler.
God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference. I don’t know how many times I have said this in my head, and also Let Go Let God. We have to grasp and hold tightly to anything that will keep us away from gambling.
I pray that just for today everyone will have a gamble free day!!!!

[vera]

TODAY, May ist, 2014, I will not gamble!
(thanks Cat)

[Anonymous]

I was never a monthly pact person, always weary of setting myself up for a fall.

But I know I can commit to one day, and stick to that commitment, although sadly I havn’t always done so.

This day is nearly over I know I wont be gambling for the remainder of it. Just for today I will not gamble.

[icandothis]

Great post, Cat. First day of May…gamble free!

[Anonymous]

Its off to work I go.

Looks like a long day ahead last delivery is due off at 18.30, I’m starting at 05.15. Theres a two hour drive back too. First day of six.

One good thing about today..no gambling, well not by me.

[cat438]

Long day for you Geordie, but if it keeps you away from gambling then it is positive. I can imagine that you are exhausted by the time you get home, and that is when it would be nice to have your own space to relax and not have room mates there.
Vera, still praying for you and a gamble free day
I do not plan on gambling today!!!

[vera]

Prayers answered Cat!
G-free Day so far!
G free May!

[icandothis]

Second day of May…Gamble Free!

[Anonymous]

Lived honest and true today, because I didnt gamble!

[Anonymous]

Just for today! 🙂

[cat438]

I do not plan on gambling today. I remember when I would not post until the end of the day that I did not gamble. Even today if I post in the morning I always say that I do not plan on gambling. I know that we can write to not gamble for the day, but if we don’t really commit to it from the inside we wont do it. I don’t know what I mean by the inside, but it has to come from within, is it our head or our heart that has to commit.
As compulsive gamblers I believe we want instant gratification. It is like playing a machine, watching a horse race we get the high as we are watching for the BIG WIN. We know that this is the spin that is going to change our life, or the horse is a sure thing, or it could be a good hand at cards. We all have our own poison and we convince ourselves that we are just about to get the big one. If our “sane brain” is working we know that it is random and there are no guarantees with machines, but if the gambling brain is our thinking brain we don’t think that way.
I believe for me that is why I had a challenge about focusing on just today ODAAT. Once I decided that I was not gambling again and again on the many Day 1’s I needed to have gamble free time and I wanted it NOW. In my mind it is like going on a diet to lose weight, we made the commitment and we want to see instant results. I really have to work at working on today as it is the only way that we can do it, well at least for me.
I was out at a function a couple of evenings ago and there were vlt’s there and you know I looked at them, but did not really think about them, they were just there. I was in the same place with those machines in November, 2012 when I had three weeks gamble free and they were on my mind constantly. I had to struggle not to play them at that time, and yet this time I did see them, but they did not take up all my head space. I know if I had put one dollar in that I would not be sitting here posting this morning, but I would be waiting for the Casino to open, and plotting how I was going to get money and sneak around and gamble. Life is complicated enough without adding that to it.
I do not plan on gambling today. I pray that we all have a gamble free day!!!

[vera]

“We can ACT ourselves into thinking right easier than we can THINK ourselves into acting right!” was Ken L’s “Gift” on May 2nd.
Food for thought!
Today my actions ruled my thoughts…
I did not gamble!

[icandothis]

A good day in May…gamble free!

[Anonymous]

The day is just dawning here. 05.30 Sunday morning. Not such a long day today, should be back by 7pm. One thing’s for sure, I wont be gambling today..

[icandothis]

The sun is shining, the birds are singing, and there is no reason I can think of not to enjoy this fourth day in May without gambling.

[cat438]

I do not plan on gambling today, and the sun is shining and it seems more like a lovely spring day!!! I am going to get my laundry done, and I might even go through one of those boxes that I need to go through in my basement today. Now I would feel as if I had achieved something if I did just one box!!! Praying that we all have a gamble free day today!!!

[cat438]

It is a lovely morning with the sun shining although not to warm yet, but so much better than snow. I am thankful for this day and I do not plan on gambling today!!!!

[Anonymous]

Havnt had time to post the last couple of mornings but pleased that I havnt had any temptation to gamble either.

Today was gamble free, I hope it has been for everyone else too.

[cat438]

The sun is not shining this morning and I notice that I don’t feel as positive this morning. I really think the sun makes a difference to how I feel. I did hear the birds chirping though. I think I need to work on changing my thought pattern and continue to count my blessings whether the sun is shining or not. I pray that everyone has a gamble free day!!! It is one day at a time.

[lizbeth4]

I will not gamble today. I haven’t been having urges lately. My days are full with going to the gym and doing things in the house and yard. Keeping busy has always kept me from gambling. Life is so much better being gamble free. It is freeing!

[cat438]

The sun is not shining today again, but my inner self feels better today. I don’t feel so cloudy today. I do not plan on gambling today!!!

[Anonymous]

No sunshine here, typical very hot carrying washers and fridges up countless flights of stairs, then day off its peeing down.

Havnt been able to keep up with daily post but thankfully have kept my wits about me. Rent up to date boss paid £150 other things paid.

This morning I have done a “big” tidy up. My landord and girlfriend are away til Sunday so this is the first real day Ive had the flat to myself for months. Washers on, and I have a joint of beef in the slow cooker.

I have to go to the doctors to pick up my prescription then back to do some cooking to fill my freezer, depending on the time might pop in to GH to say hello.

ODAAT another day further away from my last bet. 🙂

[cat438]

Great to see your post today Geordie. I am glad that you have the place to yourself for a few days. I can smell that roast cooking from here LOL It really is one day at a time. It took me a long time to really understand the one day at a time concept, but it is the only way to go. I am also using it in other areas of my life and it really does help. Have a great day and enjoy your roast. Be happy that you have paid everything that you need to and the money is out of your way.
I do not plan on gambling today!!!

[cat438]

One day further away from my last bet. I think it was Paul that made me think that even if we have gamble free time we are all the same when it comes to placing our next bet. I think for me that the longer I am in recovery the more it all makes sense to me. I know that when I first came here and someone had 3 months gamble free and they gambled again I would wonder why would they do that. Fast forward and that person with 3 months gamble free placing the bet was me. I then understood that gamble free time does not cure you. I think that there is this fear of never being able to play machines again that I could not get my head round. I slipped many times and I hated the fighting to stay away, the gambling hangover. but you keep going and trying. I don’t think of never playing slots again now, all I do is plan not to gamble today. I count my blessings every day that I stay away from playing slots/vlts and thank God for this. The sun is shining today and I will look on that as it being a good day. Wishing everyone a sunny gamble free day!!! I do not plan on gambling today!!!!

[cat438]

It’s Mother’s Day in North America today, however, I know that Mother’s Day in the UK is in March. Interesting as Father’s Day is the same in UK and North America, but not Mother’s Day. I am sure there are specials in the Casino today to celebrate Mother’s Day. I also know that I do not plan in walking in that Casino and playing machines today!!! Wishing everyone a gamble free day.

[cat438]

I did a silly thing yesterday, I played free games on the computer not with money. I don’t know if that counts as gambling or not. It was interesting as the pop-ups that kept coming for free money etc. It made me realize that it is better not to play those slot time games. I believe all it did was make me want the real machine. I do not plan on gambling today. Wishing everyone a wonderful gamble free day!!!

[vera]

Today ,May 12th, I did not gamble!

[icandothis]

May 12. I did not gamble. I will not allow thoughts of gambling tomorrow to enter into today. Then, tomorrow I will make a pledge to not gamble.

[peacegirl]

I really like that you say that it’s no matter how long we are gamble free in between times, we are just one bet away! I myself have just fallen after over 2 months of no gambling and banning from the main one, and thinking in my own mind I would never do it again. Then I fell last weekend, went on a huge 2 day binge, and couldn’t believe myself. Even while doing it I couldn’t believe it. Now I realize there is no amount of time that takes it completely away. ODAAT…

[icandothis]

I will not gamble today. I would like to share this story.
LIFE’S ECHO
A man and his son were walking in the forest. Suddenly, the boy tripped, and having hurt himself, he cried out, “Oww!” From a distant mountain, the cry returned, “Oww!”
Surprised, the child called, “Who are you?” the response came from far away, “Who are you?”
The boy was frustrated by this answer, and called, “You are a coward!” The mountain’s reply: “You are a coward!”
The child turned to his father, hurt and bewildered, “Son,” the father said “Pay attention,” Turning toward the mountain, the man called loudly, “You are loved!” The voice returned clearly, “You are loved!”
You are strong and capable!” the father called. Back came the voice: “You are strong and capable!”
The boy looked questioningly at his father, who explained the far-off voice.
It’s called an echo,” the father said. But it is truly a reflection of life. Life gives you back what you give to it. It is a mirror of yourself. If you want love-give love. If you want kindness, be kind. If you want to be respected, treat others with respect.
“The echo applies to every aspect of our lives.”
Life does give back what it receives from us. It is no coincidence, but an echo of our own choices!

[cat438]

Thanks for sharing that Ican. I love to read all the different motivational posts. When you think about how we can feel down in the dumps, sad or whatever we want to call it, and we can go out and someone says something to you and makes you laugh and smile it can change your whole attitude. We can look and find the good in situations, people or whatever or we can find the negative. It is so much easier when we feel down to be negative and look at the glass half empty, but when we smile and feel positive we are happy with what we have in life.
I know for me that the most precious gift I have been given in this life is my children and grandchildren, better add hubby to that LOL It is not the material things that really matter as when we leave this life our fancy car, jewellery wont remember us, but our children, grandchildren will. I will enjoy this day and be positive and thankful. I do not plan on gambling. Wishing everyone a fun gamble free day!!!

[Author]

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