Phases of Compulsive Gambling

[Isia]

In January 2007 I went to a few AA meetings to see how a proper meeting should looks like.
I didn’t like AA meetings. I couldn’t identify with alcoholics. As I said I never ever drunk alcohol as I had to have everything under control (I can’t believe the way I was thinking once).What I mean? I was always ready to go and gamble –how could I know about impulses and urges?

When GA meetings started on the 29th of January of 2007-I was so happy – I was among people like me – compulsive gamblers.
It was incredible – as I could finish each line, each story started by someone else. I could identify with other gamblers.
Thanks to an article "Recovery in Gamblers Anonumous" I have learn how to introduce myself at GA meetings "my name is...I am comp.gambler, I fully addmit it and accept it"
http://www.camh.net/egambling/issue17/ferentzy1.html

But:
As I said – I didn’t like AA.
It took me some time and a lot of reading – to start to feel respect for wisdom of AA.

What for I am grateful to Marilyn L. – my GA Sponsor?
Sometimes I was writing long, long emails to her. And sometimes she was writing in return only one line –but this one line was better then a thousands of words. Thank you, Marilyn for telling me once: “…without you, there might not be a me and without me, there may not be a you…” it is such a humility in this line…

What I am grateful to AA among many, many things? For recovery slogans.
I paste it here some, so maybe it will be helpful for gamblers in abstinence and recovery as it was for me -ok?

So:
Dear Memebers of GA -here we are:

It's a simple program for complicated people
Don't quit before the miracle happens
How does it work? It works just fine
If you do what you always did, you'll get what you always got
Learn to listen and listen to learn
Recovery is a journey ...not a destination
Time takes time
Give time...time
One day at a time
Fake it until you make it
First Things First
Live and Let Live
Let go and let God
Cultivate an attitude of gratitude
Humility is not thinking less of yourself, but thinking of yourself less
Live life on life's terms
You can't think your way into a new way of living...you have to live your way into a new way of thinking
GOD = Good Orderly Direction
Your worth should never depend on another persons opinion
HOW it works = Honesty, Open mindedness, and Willingness
Don't pick up, ask for help, call your Sponsor, and go to meetings
Keep coming back, it works if you work it
Many meetings, many chances; few meetings, few chances; no meetings, no chances
Meeting makers make it
People who don't go to meetings don't hear about what happens to people who don't go to meetings
To keep what you have, you have to give it away
If you don't want to slip, stay away from slippery places
If you sit in the barber's chair long enough, you'll eventually get a haircut
Progress, not perfection
think......think.......think
Keep it simple
This too shall pass
Stick with the winners
H O P E = Happy Our Program Exists
Willingness is the key
Just for Today
Pass it on
Use the 24-hour plan
When all else fails, follow directions
Change is a process, not an event
Call your Sponsor before, not after, you make the first bet
I was sick and tired of being sick and tired
Take what you can use and leave the rest
Help is only a phone call away
One bet is too many and a thousand not enough
Keep coming back
Easy does it
Stick with the winners - Win with the stickers
Serenity is not freedom from the storm but peace amid the storm
Principles before personalities
Seven days without a meeting makes one weak
Slogans are wisdom written in shorthand
One of the best parts of recovery is getting your feelings back. The worst part is getting your feelings back.
Take the cotton out of your ears and stick it in your mouth

Dear AA -thank you from all my heart -Day by Day

Isia in Poland

I edit this post to erase link to some strange website - not the one I gave a link to!!!

Anyway:
What about this one?
What about this one?

Humility is not thinking less of yourself, but thinking of yourself less
C.S. Lewis
http://www.tentmaker.org/Quotes/humilityquotes1.htm

[Evelyn]

I have to quit, I am very down today trying to find a reason, to look forward,

I am quite sure I can beat this, I just need all your help

Thanks

[Bruce]

Hey Evelyn, well we are all behind you here! You can quit but you need to be prepared and think of some things that you can do to distract you rather than gamble. Do you have any other interests or do you have an idea of something else that you would like to do?

Bruce