Hi sad, sorry to worry you!
Yes it’s important to see the success stories – there are many in the forum and if you go to GA no doubt you hear more there as well.
It’s important to maintain our focus on our own recovery though. I can’t remember who but a long time ago someone said to me “No heroes.” It’s important, if we hold someone up as a hero then what does it do to our own recovery if they gamble? I know I have respect here, I know I have respect at the GA meetings I go to.
I don’t have a problem with that but I’ve also seen the flip side
of that. If we hold up someone as “a hero” then where does that put us if they gamble, it can really knock our own recovery. I’ve seen it happen. If someone realises that they are in some way “lauded” then if they are struggling or having a bad day it makes it harder for them to talk about it, if they slip it makes it harder to come clean. I’ve seen that as well.
The topic group today was on Hope, it’s an important topic and seeing the success stories is a big part of it. Hope was the biggest thing I got from my first GA meeting as i looked around the room and into the eyes of Compulsive Gamblers who were no longer gambling.
So whilst it helps to see the success stories, it helps to see the things that work for others and, if possible, apply them to our own situation, it’s important to stay focussed. That way we don’t let anything or anyone elses actions harm our own recovery.