GA Philippines. Gamblers Anonymous Philippines.
TODAY’S REFLECTION
A Day at a Time by Craig Nakken is an essential recovery tool for compulsive gamblers, with daily reflections and prayers that offer hope, support, and guidance throughout the year.
- OCTOBER 4 Reflection for the Day
We are powerless over gambling; that admission brought us to the Gamblers Anonymous Program, where we learn through unconditional surrender that there is victory in defeat. After a time, we learn in Twelfth Step work that we’re not only powerless over our own addiction, but over the addiction of others. We cannot will another person to abstinence from gambling, for example, any more than we can hold back the sunset. We may minister to another person’s physical or emotional needs; we may share with him, cry with him, and take him to meetings. But we cannot get inside his head and push some sort of magic button that will make him—or her—take that all-important First Step.
Do I still sometimes try to play God?
Today I Pray
May I understand my all-too-human need to be the boss, have the upper hand, be the final authority—even in the humbling business of my own addiction. May I see how easy it would be to become a big-shot Twelfth Stepper. May I also see that, no matter how much I care and want to help, I have no control over another’s addiction—any more than someone else has control over mine.
Today I Will Remember
I cannot engineer another’s recovery.
TAGALOG VERSION
Ika-4 ng Oktubre
Pagninilay para sa Araw na ito
Wala tayong kapangyarihan sa pagsusugal; na sa pagpasok na dito dinala tayo sa Gamblers Anonymous Program, kung saan natututo tayo sa pamamagitan ng walang kundisyong pagsuko na may tagumpay sa pagkatalo. Pagkaraan ng ilang sandali, natututuhan natin sa Gawaing Twelfth Step na hindi lamang tayo walang kapangyarihan sa sarili nating adiksyon, kundi sa adiksyon din ng iba. Hindi natin mapipilit ang ibang tao na tumigil sa pagsusugal, halimbawa, higit pa sa kaya nating pigilan ang paglubog ng araw. Maaari tayong maglingkod sa pisikal o emosyonal na mga pangangailangan ng ibang tao; maaari natin siyang ibahagi sa kanya, umiyak, at dalhin siya sa mga miting. Ngunit hindi tayo makakapasok sa kanyang ulo at pindutin ang ilang uri ng magic button na magtutulak sa kanyang gawin ang pinaka-mahalagang Unang Hakbang na iyon.
Sinusubukan ko pa ba minsan na magpaka-Diyos?
Ngayon ipinagdarasal ko…
Nawa’y maunawaan ko ang aking likas-sa-taong pangangailangan na maging amo, magkaroon ng kalamangan, maging awtoridad—kahit sa mapagpakumbabang aspeto ng sarili kong adiksyon. Maaari ko bang makita kung gaano kadali ang maging isang big-shot na Twelfth Stepper. Nawa’y makita ko rin na, gaano man ako nagmamalasakit at gustong tumulong, wala akong kontrol sa adiksyon ng iba—higit pa sa kontrol ng ibang tao sa akin.
Ngayon ay Tatandaan Ko
Wala sa kamay ko ang paggaling ng iba.
GA Philippines. Gamblers Anonymous Philippines.
A Day at a Time can serve as a beacon of hope and guidance for individuals grappling with the shackles of compulsive gambling. In the throes of addiction, each day can seem like an insurmountable challenge, but adopting a daily reflection practice can illuminate a path towards recovery. This practice involves introspection, encouraging the individual to carefully examine their thoughts, emotions, and behaviors throughout the day. By scrutinizing their experiences, they begin to unravel the intricate web of triggers and patterns that fuel their gambling impulses. This heightened self-awareness lays the groundwork for transformation.
Mindfulness is a cornerstone of this process. It encourages the compulsive gambler to be present in each moment, to recognize the fleeting thoughts of temptation as they arise. Armed with this awareness, they can intercept the impulse before it gains a stranglehold on their actions. This newfound clarity enables them to develop coping strategies tailored to their specific triggers. They might engage in alternative activities that channel their energy positively or reach out to a support network when cravings surge.
Breaking the journey into manageable chunks, focusing on one day at a time, is a crucial aspect of this approach. Instead of feeling overwhelmed by the daunting prospect of battling addiction, the individual sets realistic daily goals. With every day successfully navigated, a sense of accomplishment takes root, reinforcing their commitment to recovery. This positive reinforcement, accumulated over time, becomes a sturdy foundation upon which lasting change is built.
As days evolve into weeks and weeks into months, the cumulative effect of daily reflection becomes evident. The individual’s once-turbulent thoughts begin to settle, and their actions align more closely with their aspirations. With persistence, the grip of addiction loosens, allowing them to reclaim agency over their life. Through this gradual process, the compulsive gambler emerges as a testament to the power of self-awareness, mindfulness, and resilience. A day at a time, they rewrite their story, embracing a future defined by freedom rather than compulsion.