by blue_green_lake » Tue Apr 18, 2017 1:14 am
I have written on here about this before, but I can tell you what has changed my mind, hopefully for the rest of my life. If we think about what gambling actually is, it is a bunch of people pooling their money, and then some ("lucky" ones?) get to take back more than what they put in. Other folks will get back less than what they put in. And over time, virtually all who keep participating will get back less than what they put in. Yet the casino owner/bookie gets to make a living at it. Who are the suckers? Me and everyone who gambles, trying to take money off of our fellows. I now see it is as such a desperate thing with negative ethical implications.
I understand that urge to escape, which comes over me at times, too. I do miss those trips to the casino, when I left my home and my cares behind, driving in the open countryside, anticipating walking into the gambling environment. I miss the anticipation more than the actual act of gambling. I also miss the social aspect of the energetic environment, and music playing the hits of the day, overhead. But the gambling part was personally degrading, when I think about how I really felt when doing it.
I wish everyone on this thread peace, and rational thinking about gambling. You are all beautiful as you are. You don't need to define yourself with "wins" when you are already a winner.