RenaAnne's Journal

I believe the answer is.....we are in charge of all those aspects of ourselves....by the choices we make in our actions and the choice we make in our attitudes.....hope your day gets better! My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family....Dianne

You certainly have a lot of stressors right now! Remember that you can't really help others unless YOU are OK. You need to be centered, and OK with you to really contribute to anyone else!

Are there any GA meetings in your area? Many people have found the acceptance, understanding, and support there has been such a lifesaver for them.

I used to use gambling as an escape...but I have come to realize my "escape" has only made every problem in my life worse...and now I have to escape from my escape....so.....please think about how you feel when you leave the casino, or turn off the computer, or however you gamble. About 99.9% of the time I left stressed, numb, disgusted with myself, exhausted, ashamed, and wondering how I was going to meet my responsibilities! Not much of an escape!

As always....prayer is not enough. I don't know anyone who has just one day been delivered from gambling by praying only, without putting in a lot of effort. The effort begins with committing to not gambling, just today. Just for one day. It is really hard to think about never gambling ever again...but I can not gamble just for today. Now, after 9 months of not gambling one day at a time, my life is much better. There is a healing from the worst of the financial destruction, I don't have to hide things or feel ashamed anymore. In this 9 months, I've been through a cancer scare for myself, the death of a best friend, the illness and death of my mother, a breakup with my bf, lots of stress in my business....and "one day at a time" has carried me through it all, gambling free. If you want, you really can do this too.

There are a lot of great caring people here who are willing to walk side by side with you on this journey...you don't have to face this alone! We all need each other. Without the help from people on this site, I believe I would still be gambling today!

Just for today, I will not gamble.
Hugs, Dianne

You have been dealing with a lot, sorry to hear that, but please know, you can get through this, one day at a time. It's possible, it really is. Please be kind to yourself, going to a meeting is a good idea. Wow, your poor bf...his poor foot...poor guy. He's fortunate to have a caring gf like you. Good he's on the mend, back home, that's progress :) Now it's your turn. Learn to be your own best friend and to take your own good advise...thanks for sharing...big hug

Hugsssssssssssss Prayers from me to you.
Also for Eric. So important to look after you. When my dad was in hospital I tried to be there all the time, I then let my sister take over for a while. I am no help to anyone if I am not well.
Remember there is a reason for that setting dial on a washer and dryer is there for a reason. It's so you can set it where you want it. Don't ever forget you are in charge of your setting dial button. :)
Set it where you need it and go with the wash and tumble. :)
Hugsssssssssssssssssss

Hi Renaanne,
I'm gonna make a suggestion. It's simple. You've got 2 choices, only 2........and both are very difficult and painful......but you gotta pick one.
First choice is to go out gambling. If you do, you're gonna suffer. You know this. And, next time, it's gonna get worse, and worse, and worse......until it destroys you. It never gets better. It just goes on and on and your misery increases.
Second choice is to NOT go out gambling. You're still gonna suffer. You're gonna miss the excitement, you're gonna feel antsy and anxious. You're gonna be bored. Emotions that have been suppressed are gonna flood to the surface, you're gonna worry, cry, and feel terrible. You're gonna have other problems, too.....you'll need to fix the financial mess you've made, you'll need to repair the damage to your relationships with your friends and family..........BUT, my friend, it's not gonna get any worse. It's gonna get better, and better, and better.....and you're gonna heal, and grow, and the pain is gonna gradually turn to joy......and you're gonna get your life back.......you're gonna survive.
So, my friend, it's simple....... 2 choices .....you pick one or you pick the other.......and every time the gambling demons shake your tree you choose again. If you choose wisely,one day my friend, they'll stop shaking it.
Hugs to you today.......Be well, choose wisely

Eastwester really had some great things to say...and my question is....are you hurting enough to stop? Have you accepted that you can't control your gambling? To me, these things are necessary to stop.

If you are hurting enough to stop, then come here first thing tomorrow morning and read some journals, write another journal....and say to yourself....just for one day....just for TODAY...I will not gamble. Don't have to think about tomorrow, just today.

When I first started, I couldn't even think about not gambling forever, that was too much....but I could not gamble just for one day....one day at a time....and guess what! Here I am at 9 months gamble free! My life is so so much better. I have the physical, emotional, and financial resources to face life's crisis points and problems....and a bunch of caring, supportive friends here to walk beside me and give me the support I need.

You can have this, too...if you want it...all it takes is one day...at a time.

Hugs, Dianne