Had an interesting interaction with a friend today. We were discussing countries in Europe and she was insisting that Hungary had a border with Germany. I told her she was wrong – that Austria was in between and she said “I know I shouldn’t do this, but I am going to bet you £1.00 that I am right.”
Now – she shouldn’t do this because she knows I have a gambling problem. Indeed all my friends know – it is part of my recovery process that I am open about it to everyone.
So I said I wouldn’t take the bet on … but I was still sure I was right.
So we checked. Hungary does not have a border with Germany.
“So how come you wouldn’t bet when you knew you were right – it was a sure thing, why can’t you bet on a sure thing?”
And I explained that I have a gambling problem and I cope with that by being a non-gambler. I will not bet on anything, because I know if I make an exception for this, my mind will think I can make an exception for other things. It is just so much easier to say I will never gamble again and then act on that.
£1.00 wasn’t much of a test I know … would I have done the same if the bet had been for £100 or £1000? I hope I would still have the resolve – I feel I would be letting everyone down including, (and especially) myself if I had to say – I’m Steev and this is my day 1.
I welcome comments …