Journal keepers

I've been reading a lot of journals lately....  I copy/pasted some "gems" that I could go back on daily when needed.  A little inspiration/guidance so to speak....  (the following is not my writings.....credit @ bottom of page --- if you read them all, then you will probably already know)  Just for today, I'm willing to do whatever it takes, to not gamble.  Today, I have a simple choice. Will I focus my thoughts and energies on my problem, or on the solution? Just for today, I choose to focus on the solution, and I will not gamble.  This program takes work, not just lip service. As I've heard it, if you're gonna pray for potatoes, it helps to have a shovel in your hands. God helps those who help themselves. He's powerful, but I think he actually likes to see us "earn our salt".  .......a simple choice.........Either I choose to change myself, my thoughts, and my actions..........or I choose to continue on the way I've always been and get "control" over the gambling. "Change" or "keep gambling"......a simple choice..  Those who speak mostly of their problems seem to be struggling, while those who speak mostly of what they're doing about their problems seem to be more at ease with life......  How many times have we seen newcomers fail to listen to the voice of experience of those who have already been "in these woods" and, instead, decide to strike out on their own and do it "their way". .. it took years before I finally listened to what those old-timers were saying;....... "Keep your ears open and your mouth closed"......"Get a sponsor"........ "Your program not working?, try ours" ......."Let go and let God" ......"So, you think you're different?" ......."On a daily basis". God allows us to fall into sin of our own free will, so that we might suffer and discover His grace.  God, as I understand it, provides answers.......He expects us to provide the actions. Yes, he'll do for us those things that we are unable to do, but He doesn't do for us those things that we are fully capable of doing for ourselves.........things like NOT going to the casino today, NOT placing that first bet, NOT gambling. It takes an effort on my part, the nurturing of an attitude of acceptance, gratitude, and surrender to maintain my recovery on a daily basis.....IT DON"T JUST SIMPLY HAPPEN.  Don't stop trying on the day before your miracle happens. 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.........  choose to associate with people who are sincere in their recovery, people who develop a program for themselves, who do the work it takes, who accept personal responsibility for their own lives, who strive for honesty, openness, and willingness....... people who show up, take the bull by the horns, and are willing to do whatever it takes to find their own personal solution.  This leaves only one day-TODAY-any man or woman can fight the battles of just one day. It is only when you and I add the burdens of those two awful eternities-YESTERDAY and TOMORROW that we break down.  EW - Thank you for taking the time to share all of this "good" stuff with everyone.  I am grateful.