Laughter

I would like to share a "funny" email I received comparing going to work with going to prison. Now you may think the person who sent me this email has a very warped sense of humor especially considering my current situation. No, this person is someone who I would consider a friend and I have only known this person for six months but we share a common bond we are both compulsive gamblers. You know what; laughter is the best medicine and yes, there is nothing "funny" about my situation especially to those I hurt but if I cannot laugh at myself I mind as well just crawl up into a ball and die. Let me share the email; yes, I did find it quite amusing;

Subject: Prison vs Work

Just in case you ever got the two mixed up. This should make things a bit clearer.

IN PRISON... you spend the majority of your time in an 8 x10 cell.

AT WORK.... you spend the majority of your time in a 6x8 cubicle.

IN PRISON...you get three meals a day.

AT WORK...you only get a break for one meal and you pay for it.

IN PRISON...you get time off for good behavior.

AT WORK...you get more work for good behavior.

IN PRISON...the guard locks and unlocks all the doors for you.

AT WORK..you must carry around a security card and open all the doors for yourself.

IN PRISON...you can watch TV and play games.

AT WORK...you get fired for watching TV and playing games.

IN PRISON...you get your own toilet.

AT WORK...you have to share a toilet with a bunch of idiots who pee on the seat.

IN PRISON...they allow your family and friends to visit.

AT WORK...you can't even speak to your family.

IN PRISON...the taxpayers pay all expenses with no work required.

AT WORK...you get to pay all the expenses to go to work and then they deduct taxes from your salary to pay for prisoners.

IN PRISON...you spend most of your life inside bars wanting to get out.

AT WORK...you spend most of your time wanting to get out and go inside bars.

IN PRISON...you must deal with sadistic Officers.

AT WORK...they are called managers.

I have always been able to laugh at myself but I had a hard time LISTENING to myself. In the past seven months I have been able to finally listen to myself and I guess I am a very slow learner. Why it had to happen the way it did I really have no idea but it did and dwelling on the past won't change today. Concentrating, listening and focusing on my recovery will help me change my deficiencies. Donald Trump said the other night on The Apprentice: "People don't change." He is right people don't change they make modifications and by making these modifications their behaviors can change. It is still the same person but the behaviors have been modified. I am making the necessary modifications to lead a purposeful life and be the person I was intended to be.

In the short time I have been in Gamblers Anonymous I have noticed many things and one of those things became very evident this past weekend. I have spoken to many long time GA members and they all seem to agree. People are turning into compulsive gamblers more quickly today than they have ever in the past. Case in point; 10 years ago in Gamblers Anonymous the average compulsive gambler had been gambling for over 15 years before finally coming to Gamblers Anonymous. Today it seems people are getting in over their head so quick. Some people come to GA after losing large sums of money in one week and that is the only gambling they have ever done. I am not sure if this fits the definition of a compulsive/pathological gambler but the fellowship is open to anyone with a gambling problem.

I think there are a number of factors involved in people getting in over their head gambling so quick; number one; gambling is everywhere, 90% of the United States population is within a 2 hour drive of a casino, not to mention every home with a computer has unlimited access to gambling, number two; the easy access to cash via credit cards and home equity loans, personal loans, etc.. Number 3 the lure of gambling which ultimately leads to the chase, people start to win and really like gambling but inevitably they will lose and some will stop while others will chase and chase until everything is gone including their lives. It really doesn't have to be this way, I know I thought I could "control" my gambling but this was another one of my neverending lies. For some including myself gambling controlled me and took me to places I never thought I would go in a million years. Now I am taking back my sanity by NOT gambling, this is the only way I can live a productive purposeful life.