Post
125
20/20 HINDSIGHT
…
10 YEARS OF GRM BLOG RECOVERY WISDOM
HAPPY
BIRTHDAY! It
has been ten years since GRM Blog Post #1 greeted and welcomed readers to www.grmumc.org’s
new blog feature. During the previous
year, I spent most of the twelve months writing content for a newly transformed
Gambling Recovery Ministries’ website.
My webhost had encouraged me to include a blog as a regular part of the
website; and so in January 2010, I reached out to a worldwide audience hoping
that words of hope and help would spark interest and inspiration to take steps
into recovery or open faith-based
doors to those in need of recovery.
Heading into this new decade of GRM Blog outreach, I
tossed around ideas for the “first” blog post.
Somehow, a revolutionary, never-before idea or concept about problem
gambling recovery didn’t stick on the wall. Rather wisdom from the past – AKA,
20/20 Hindsight – remained - and it seemed a perfect time to recall many of the
gold nuggets from previous entries. Therefore,
I’m filling Post 125 with snippets of wisdom from the past ten years!
Post
90 At the beginning of this new year, a number
of resolutions or goals are being pondered. We may look at the past twelve (or
more!) months and wonder, Why? We may be trying to sort out what may have
gone wrong, why did things happen as they did, … what factors played a role in
how things turned out. Perhaps, there
will be no definitive answers. Possibly,
the Why? question doesn’t even need to be replayed (especially over and
over). It’s the moving-on that matters
now. (2016 …
The Year the Christmas Tree Fell –Twice: WHY??)
Post 89 How would it be if we start off defining HOPE as an expectation which is God-derived … that the foundation of HOPE comes from a desire/an anticipation instilled within each of our hearts by God. In other words, let us see HOPE, as God's gift - given to us, in response to our prayers for HOPE - specific to our own circumstances … and that in doing so, become filled with hope in ways that we would never expect. (Giving Hope)
Post 54 Consider the expression, time is money. As you have been in recovery, calculate how much time further ahead you are, financially speaking, now that you have spent less time involved in gambling activities/thoughts/actions to hide gambling, etc. Recovery? Time is money! (It's About Time)
Post 63 Find others successfully in recovery; learn from them, notice how they value themselves AND how they value you for yourself! (FEAR: Is It Sealing Your Fate?)
Post 102 Working toward a better - not necessarily the best or perfect - seems more do-able and … better can become better, better, and even better! (About Essentials)
Post 56 Set deadlines and
milestones BUT be realistic and make
them measurable. (Again: be realistic!) Use great role models - persons who
inspire you (persons you know AND/OR those you only know about). (Climbing
the Steps: Setting Goals and Reaching Them)
Post 107 It is essential that we realize – and accept – that we do
not have to rely solely on our own power to enter
into the process of forgiveness. (referring
to Step 2 of the 12 Steps to Recovery) (Are We
Forgiven?)
Post 101 It is our choice to allow God's wisdom and guidance to become and take on an active response within us. Plainly speaking, not seeking God's wisdom, direction, and guidance - no doubt - places us right back in the feeling of being distant from God. (What Are You Waiting for This Advent?)
Post 21 Do you tell yourself THANK YOU! for not following through with self-destruction? Do you tell yourself THANK YOU! for saying YES to RECOVERY ? (A Giving Thanks Screen)
Finally, a
parting – and memorable - piece of wisdom comes from a years-ago recovery
conference. Stated simply by Anonymous, I have recounted these words
many times: Anything I’ll put in front of my recovery,
I’ll lose.
May
the start of this new decade be for you the beginnings of wondrous, joyful, and
surprising recoveries that will take you through the years to come!
Blessings,
Rev. Janet Jacobs, CCGSO
Founding Director
Gambling Recovery
Ministries
For more information on
the IGCCB Clergy/Lay Minister Certification visit:
For more information on gambling disorder and recovery issues
