Gambling Addiction & Recovery Support Group
Compulsive gambling is an urge or addiction to gamble despite harmful negative consequences or a desire to stop. A preferred term among many professionals is problem gambling, as few people described by the term experience true compulsions in the clinical sense of the word. Problem gambling often is defined by whether harm is experienced by the gambler or others rather...
Now 35 days GF...
I had reason to flick through my old credit card invoices, and seeing the balances of negative $10,000 brought back some memories:
- it immediately brought back my feelings in those days of "oh god, when will I ever get rid of this debt and be free??"...I actually can't believe I've managed to get rid of that debt now and have built up a small asset portfolio of shares
- my mum got a chance to look at a statement once, and not being financially literate, instead of seeing the "available credit of $1000" (I had a $12k limit, and was about $11k in debt), she thought I owed $1000 on my credit card. She asked "what the hell have you spent your money on to owe $1000?" I didn't say anything...I mean, f*ck, imagine if I corrected her by saying "ummm...I actually owe $11,000, not $1000..."
- it was also a strong reminder of how I should never ever get back to that stage of my life. Let the past be the past, learn from it, and move on. That was one hard and harsh life lesson.
I hope everyone has a GF day today.
I had reason to flick through my old credit card invoices, and seeing the balances of negative $10,000 brought back some memories:
- it immediately brought back my feelings in those days of "oh god, when will I ever get rid of this debt and be free??"...I actually can't believe I've managed to get rid of that debt now and have built up a small asset portfolio of shares
- my mum got a chance to look at a statement once, and not being financially literate, instead of seeing the "available credit of $1000" (I had a $12k limit, and was about $11k in debt), she thought I owed $1000 on my credit card. She asked "what the hell have you spent your money on to owe $1000?" I didn't say anything...I mean, f*ck, imagine if I corrected her by saying "ummm...I actually owe $11,000, not $1000..."
- it was also a strong reminder of how I should never ever get back to that stage of my life. Let the past be the past, learn from it, and move on. That was one hard and harsh life lesson.
I hope everyone has a GF day today.
Good reflections, Toey. I remember awhile back someone posted the slogan " Forgive and Forget", and I also remember thinking at that time...how can I ever forget the total disregard I had for money while active in my addiction. Then I thought, perhaps I'll change it to Forgive & Remember. It was at that point that I decided it is very important never forget all the behaviors and deeds that brought my soul to near collapse.
i'm a visual person, so for me, putting the memories of "the old me" in a large, glass container serves as a constant reminder of where I choose not to go again, hopefully for a very, very long time. Whenever I'm feeling low, I simply glance at that container, and say "Ahhhh....but life really is much better today, Tagg...cuz you haven't had to open that container in quite some time". Better still, you have been investing in yourself, and not shopping for a bigger container to hold more memories of grief and despair!
Yvegas, I am working diligently on strengthening my relationship with Him....what a wonderful delightful traveling companion He is...His navigational skills are nothing short of miraculous!.
Be well, my friends, and keep investing in your beliefs and yourself. May your trails continue to flourish with peace and serenity.
Love you all, and God Bless.
Tagg