2Live, yes, reality sometimes does suck. I hate it when nothing seems like it will make you in a good mood, or put a smile on your face. These times do happen, and all you can do is put your head down and know This Too Shall Pass. When these times hit, I definitely turn to books and music and sometimes movies I really love. Times like this it is hard to get out of your own head. I will be thinking of you, and praying for you. Love ~atticus

To be appreciated for what you have Today And that is what priceless. If it would be for me to die tommorow, @least I'll die Gambling Free and feel good about myself.

PM Dawn had a song called "Reality used to be a friend of mine" I think the performer was talking about going crazy. what I get out of that line is sometimes we have tiffs with reality some people have life long tiffs. We can continue to fight with reality or we can accept reality for what it is. I see it as the sour with the sweet. But if we choose to ignore reality then we can lose our grip on it. For me that would be Addiction. Recovery is my way of getting back on realities good side

2live,

Know the feeling all too well! This journey has taught me many, many things - but probably, the most valuable lesson has been that each and every day is a gift from God. It's 24 hours in which I have been given a chance to take this blessing and pay it forward to another human being. To let them know they matter to me, that I genuinely care about their well being.

Today, I offer this to you, as a means of expressing thoughts of good tidings, love and peace:

"May the Lord bless and protect you;
may the Lord's face radiate with joy because of you;
may He be gracious to you, show you His favor,
and give you His peace"

-Numbers 6:24 - 26

With gratitude for the blessing of this day, I say with kindness...you matter!

Be well, my friend and stay the course-Tagg

Just remember that there are various forms of 'reality' - all depending on how you choose to view things.

If you want to view life negatively, then life will be negative. If you want to view things positively, then life will be positive :)

I think we should remember too that gambling, or any addiction, is a symptom of our problem(s). We can stop the bleeding by our actions not to gamble, but if we truly want to feel better and accomplish our goals I do think we need to at least recognize the real source of the problem and deal with it to some degree. The solution may be as simple as yes, I recognize I'm unhappy because ___ and right now it is easier for me to deal with that issue by doing ___. In other words, we all have underlying reasons for gambling. Just be recognizing what those reasons are, we can begin to move our lives in a more positive direction that show progress in leading a more fulfilling life.

Thanks for the support. There are some wonderful words of wisdom here.

I talked with my therapist about it today. She had an interesting perspective. She said that by telling myself "look at everything I have" "I should be happy" "think about how many have it so much worse" - that it's kind of like punishing myself for feeling bad - like saying to myself that i should be stronger or have a better attitude and since I don't - I suck....lol. I have things to be sad about. It's okay. I don't have to compare my problems to other people's and I don't have to "buck up and look at the bright side". What I need to do is make a better life for myself, make the changes that need to be made, make progress, do the work.

I do have hope that I can find authentic happiness and satisfaction with my life - instead of running away to that damn hell hole to help me forget about my problems.

A few weeks ago, I discussed with a friend, things in life that would trigger us to check out of life. In other words, what kind of events would make us run to the casino, once the going got tuff. It was rather remarkable how much we shared in common. From personal to work related issues, everything matched. We both shared a history of stopping gambling over a year ago. We were looking back shaking our heads about how we used to "live" our lives. I mean how weak were we, that such things could take us over the edge.?

Now, everytime I get the urge to zone out, I just watch netflix or surf the internet. I go on long walks with the dog. I watch the news, and try to refocus on the reality that so many other people are facing everyday. Their reality is so much worse than mine, so why should I be so ungrateful? Facing reality is tough, but instead of seeing the glass half empty we have no choice but to see it half full.

I fond this song for you. Be Blessed http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e8HgAVenbUU&feature=related

yv... I'm a humanist but still found that song very beautiful and uplifting. Thank you for sharing that with me.