A Fist Full of Cards

Recently, I have been playing a progressive rummy game with my parents. It is fun, it is interesting and it is a great way to spend important bonding time with people you care about. But, as you play you also learn a great deal. For example, if you hold onto too many straights or too many three-of-a-kinds you can run yourself into trouble. You need to see what you are holding in your hand and make an early commitment to certain cards. There is always a possibility that you can form any straight or three of a kind option with any of the combinations. But if you do not choose and commit to the most promising pattern your hand is showing you, you may end up with nothing in the end.

Sometimes, making a commitment to some cards may mean that you lose out on a really good hand. But, those are the cards. And, every decision you make today, in the end defines the outcome of your hand. You can be more alert, make sure that you keep your eyes on what other people have picked up and discarded, but in the end, it has to do with a bit of luck and a bit of skill.

But, if you want to “play the game” and have any chance of winning anything in life, you need to take those chances. There will always be another card game. There will always be another chance to start again. You will make mistakes from time to time. Wished you had kept a card or discarded one you held too soon. Sometimes, you may not be paying attention too clearly and you will not play your hand as best as you could have. You might be tired; your mind might be on something else. It will happen from time to time. Don't beat yourself up about your mistake. Learn from it, move on, and congratulate yourself for the plays that you did that were successful.

I used to get very upset when I was losing a hand of cards and then I decided to change this. Because then I would feel very bad, like I was a sore loser. I began to hate a game that I loved when I was winning. So, then I started to tell my parents that if my dad won, he would have to eat more healthy, eat less of the wonderful biscotti treat that he loves. He needs to lose some weight. I want him to live as long as possible.

On the surface, begrudgingly he agreed to the bet, but upon a closer look, there was a twinkle of love and appreciation in his eye. Suddenly, if he won the game it became a good thing and if I lost, I really won again, because he would be eating better. I did the same thing with my mother on a different thing that would better her life. And, just like that, the game was enjoyable again.

I never realized how much I could learn from a simple card game. If you keep yourself open to life, the possibilities of greatness are truly endless. All it takes is a fist full of cards.