When you discover the poker lesson in the following, please share it by leaving a comment. I dedicate this to one of my shining stars, my poker coaching client, Tania.
Poker mirrors what is going on in our lives at any one point in time. When we sit down at the poker table to compete, we take with us baggage from our life. Even tho' Maya Angelou wrote the following poem for women and I doubt she intended it as poker training, it can also benefit every man, who has ever played poker or who has a special woman in his life that is drawn to the game.
One of my coaching clients sent this to me. It touched me, made me smile, and made me say "hmmm… so very true." Thank you, Tania.
May this also grace your day.
These wise words are a part of one of Maya Angelou's poems.
A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE …
enough money within her control to move out
and rent a place of her own,
even if she never wants to or needs to…
something perfect to wear if the employer,
or date of her dreams wants to see her in an hour…
A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE ..
a youth she's content to leave behind….
a past juicy enough that she's looking forward to
retelling it in her old age….
a set of screwdrivers, a cordless drill, and a black lace bra…
one friend who always makes her laugh… and one who lets her cry…
A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE ..
a feeling of control over her destiny…..
how to fall in love without losing herself..
EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW…
how to quit a job,
break up with a lover,
and confront a friend without;
ruining the friendship….
EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW….
when to try harder… and WHEN TO WALK AWAY…
There's more, but I stopped here because so much of winning in life and in poker is about knowing when to release a hand… bets saved are bets earned. I call it 'releasing that, which no longer serves you.'
My desire to "stick with it, keep on going, hang in there," has been both a tremendous asset and a failing in my life. I've learned that when we overuse a strength, it becomes a weakness. I've learned when to walk away, and when to push all in.
I love this game of poker that so clearly teaches me lessons about how to embrace life and look for the blessing rather than focus on the struggles.
Until next time, remember my motto…
When you can't raise, don't call.
My lesson is: I gotta fold more! 🙂
Brenda, it took me a long time to figure out that ‘fold’ was NOT a four-letter word! 😀
donna, i love this poem and i will most definitely share this with my 18 year old daughter who is about to graduate high school and head off to college…..OUTSTANDING!!!
Thank you Kevin! I know it is a time full of a mixture of emotions with your daughter going to college, but it is your support and encouragement that will mean the most to her. My mother, Mama Peggy, will be 85 next month, and she has always embodied the song that says, “I hope you dance”… Donna