A Year Without Gambling
Today marks my one year of not gambling! It is a goal that I couldn't even imagine accomplishing a year ago today. With the help of you very dear people.....with a few simple tools.....it can be done. What is important in making this possible? CHECKING IN here every day. I don't post everyday, but I check in here at least once a day! I need my recovery family here to do this! ACCEPTING that I am a cg. Accepting I can never go back to gambling without the addiction grabbing hold of me again. There is no casual gambling for me. Taking this ONE DAY AT A TIME. Before I quit gambling, I didn't really understand the meaning of these five simple and powerful words. To me, this has meant that on certain days, I only committed myself not to gamble for that one day. Thinking of never gambling again was too overwhelming......but I could manage not to gamble just one day...and that day is TODAY. JUST FOR TODAY....is part of that concept. I can't be perfect at everything I aspire to for every day in my life....but I can commit myself to doing my best....just for today. REACHING OUT when I'm struggling....and being helped by my fellow cg's.....I have to realize that I have to actively reach out to others when I need help. MAKING/WORKING A PLAN OF RECOVERY....looking at what this addiction has done to my life...and setting goals.....monitoring progress....helps me keep it real with myself. I don't want to go back into that state of denial where I don't look at the damage to my life, and allow it to go further and further. FORGIVENESS.... of myself....and others....helps release the negative energy and lets me send that energy toward the positive. If I sit around beating myself up....or spend excessive time feeling like a victim....there is all that energy lost I could have spent getting something done about the negative things....and feeling happy about the positive things....especially about the wonderful people in my life. REALITY CHECKS....OK, this tells me where I really am....with myself, with my relationships, with my finances, my job. I have to acknowledge the negative......but not get stuck there. BALANCE.....I have to work on balance in my life....I need recreation and rest as well as work. I need to experience sorrow, I need to experience joy. Life will contain a portion of each.....but I can try to look at things in a way that will minimize the negative....and that will maximize the positive.....it all has to do with my... ATTITUDE HELPING OTHERS to the best of my ability. This is a two-way street. To keep the gifts I have been given...I have to give them back..... WOW, I thought I didn't have much to write about today...LOL.... With a lot of work....and a lot of help from my friends.....my goal is to celebrate another year of recovery this time next year. All of you are in my heart....and you just don't know what your help, companionship, and love have meant to me.... xoxoxoxo Dianne
Replies
Thank you so much for this lovely journal entry. I remember when I had finally made it to a year and how impressive it truly is to get there. I love that you have listed all these tools that helped you to get where you are.
My favorites are the ones related to balance, positive outlook, and still checking in with the negatives that go on in reality. I also like being flexible with how you approach your recovery depending on what your needs are for this day. Actually, I liked your whole post!
C O N G R A T U L A T I O N S T O Y O U D I A N N E
WTG. Dianne.. Glad to be part of your Journey..
\'The biggest part of my recovery is sharing the way..Good bad or Ugly\'......it\'s all good.. Keep no Keeping on \'
Your friend sanr..
The party is at Dianne\'s! I\'ll bring the Klondike bars! I\'m so so proud of you!!! You made it a year that is fablous. Thanks for sharing your tools with us. I\'ll have to put some of them in effect. Here\'s to your next gamble free year. Peace and Love. Patty
Dianne, I thought of you several times today; I am so happy for you, and your entry gives us all something to think about~where the reality of life meets the lies of gambling. I couldn\'t do it without you, and everyone I have met in the past few years, even cyber friends..some of whom I have come to love like sisters and brothers. You are my inspiration; love chatting with you, sharing life...the good and the bad.....
love and peace for 2009~
Brigette
WTG ((( DianneE )))
Has been a pleasure to share in your recovery.
Your post is very moving and shows how you have grown over the past year. As they say \"If You Want To Keep Your Recovery You Have To Give It Away\" and you have done this and more my dear friend.
God Bless
Ken L YBIR
YAYYYYYY DIANNE,
I am so proud of you!!! I really loved your JE and am glad you had so much to say cause it was very insightful. I especially love the point about balance because I know for me as a CG I have a hard time relaxing and enjoying life since I have made such a mess of it but it is getting better. I am glad you have the happy face back.
Hugs
Judy
Dianne - your journal entry was incredibly inspiring to me. I just loved reading it and gaining a better understanding of what it \"really\" takes to beat the demon. You\'re doing great - yay!!!!!!! WTG!
Smokeygirl
Dianne, can you wrap this up and put a pretty bow on it and send it to my hubby if I give you his address?
Oh, phooey, this is something he has to do. I so wish he would come here and look around. But he has yet to admit he is a CG. Happy New Year to you!!! Thanks for the encouragement. deb
Wow what a great list -- I need to write them down - Reaching out - Attitude - all so positive, thanks for sharing and always reaching out to me -- lol
you give me hope that i to can ebd up where you are if i try hard enough. 2009 is a new year and i am going to make it a gambling free one. i look up to you guys here on ds. keep up the great work.
Dianne, you are a kind hearted soul and a true inspiration to others. Congratulations on your one year anniversary. That is so fantastic.
Best wishes for the New Year,
Gerard
My hats off to you Dianne. WTG! 1 year YEAHHHHHH!!!!
I am printing this, what a wonderful affirmation to recovery.
You rock and I am so very proud of you.
Thanks for helping us by helping you.
Love ya
Tessa
Dear Dianne,
This is a beautiful testament to the power of recovery and the fact that God uses us even in and through those hard times. I believe He has and will continue to do so. Thank you for your faithfulness to our family - Hugs to you dear friend. Suzi
congrats!!! you are so wonderful and we are all so proud of you!!! You are an amazing person and a wonderful friend to us all. you should be so very proud of yourself. the joy you experience in life is contagious to others. you deserve only the best.
I didn\'t think these journals could get any better!! You ARE an AMAZING woman!!! YOU have created the outline to the Journey!! MAKING AND WORKING A PLAN OF RECOVERY!!!!wow IHEARD THAT!!!!! GOD BLESS YOU!!