9 mos GF...and smiling....
Ah....a day off....and Sept 1 marks 9 mos. GF for me!!!! Started the day by going out for a nice breakfast....then went to visit a local "landmark" that I hadn't taken time to visit before....spent the afternoon at the movies....ate a cherry/grape snow cone (my favorite!)... Every Labor Day since I started gambling was spent in the casinos....and this is my first Labor Day just to have a normal time doing normal things....and it was really really nice. Sunday I'll be leaving to spend a couple of days in Monterrey, see the Aquarium, then drive down the coast with the top down through Big Sur to San Simeon to see Hearst Castle! I am so looking forward to it! When gambling....I didn't do stuff like that. I couldn't tear myself away from the casinos...and I couldn't afford it, as everything went to gambling! I am just beginning to suspect that I am really going to have a life again....that I am truly surviving gambling.... The one thing I need to remember, though.....I need to have the humility to remember that I am a compulsive gambler, and I am only ONE bet away from a return to the shame, fear, and ruin of the gambling life. One day at a time, I work this recovery.With the help and support of my friends here, I can make it.
Replies
Dianne, congratulations on 9 months GF. I have been privledged to be a witness to the last three months of your journey. Your strength and fortitude during several heartbreaking events in your recent life has been amazing and inspirational. Your absolute dedication to taking life as it comes, one day at a time, is a shining example of true recovery in action. I am so proud of you, as so very proud to be able to call you my friend. You truly have and continue to be, the personification of experience, strength and hope that we can all learn from.
Much love,
Julie
Your life is just getting better and better - today your life isn\'t full of gambling thoughts, regret, sorrow despair, it is filled with hope and promise. You are doing things that are \"normal\" and it feels so good don\'t it???
Me too - I am so thankful for the changes that have happened in my life over the last 4 months. ...and I am so proud of your 9 months recovery. One day at a time my friend. Hugs Suzi
Dianne - you\'re an inspiration and a blessings. Hugs - Jim
Congratulations!!!!!!! 9 months is awe-inspiring! Thank you for sharing your courage and inspiration with the rest of us. Your trip sounds wonderful, I have only seen the Monterey aquarium on tv and was awestruck with how amazing it is. To truly see the rewards of a life without gambling is terrific.
Congatulation on 9 months! Your life is so much better with out the gambling. I must say it gives me alot of hope and insite of what life can be without this monster. The trip sounds so wonderful! Enjoy it is well deserved. Hugs Melissa
WTG on 9 months!! That\'s wonderful! It sounds as if you had a lovely Labor Day. Life is good after gambling. Enjoy your trip it sounds like so much fun. Peace and Love. Patty
Congratulations on 9 months GF!!!
9 months is impressive, but after reading your journals I am not surprised your beating this. You have a great plan. I just wrote an entry very similar to yours. Celebrate it but don\'t ever forget how sneaky the monster is. Your doing awesome
NINE MONTHS - CONGRATULATIONS DIANNE! I\'m smiling as I type this, remember us 9 mos ago? It wasn\'t funny at all, but I\'m smiling when I think about it....Look at us now! WoW...we did this one day at a time! I\'m beginning to think we can do anything we want to do if we apply that one simple rule, one day at a time :) Lots of Love, Robin
Way to go!!!! Nine months!!! Your journal entry gives me lots to think about. I can be there in nine months. When I think of the money I have thrown away, and what I could have done with that money. The places I could have gone, the things I could have bought for my family.. UGH!! But those days are over. I will concentrate on my future and you give me the inspiration.. Thank you!!!
Oh, the top down, the wind blowing in your hair... can I sneak along with you? I hope you enjoy the time, the freedom, and enjoy all the beautiful things on this earth. While gambling we were so blinded to all around us, while not gambling it is like seeing things again for the very first time. Congrats on 9 months, you have really been an inspiration to me and many others. Enjoy your days off.
Way to go!!! Your JE gives me hope...
Have a great weekend driving down the coast!
Hugs,
Liz