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Lessons From The Bottom...

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  1. herbstreet24 herbstreet24 is offline

    United States

    Posts: 735
    Joined: Aug 06

    Feb 16th, 2011 (2/16/2011 11:00pm)

    To play poker is to struggle... there is just no way for any serious poker player to avoid occasional hardship. This fact alone may be the greatest reason that poker is just not for most people. It seems as though some great players seem to be a glutton for punishment, intentionally putting themselves in difficult situations just to see how they will react and adapt. While I am by no means a great poker player, I do certainly seem to be a glutton for punishment. Playing full time the past few years has brought many intense highs and lows, and in my own sick way this may be the biggest element that draws me to this crazy game. Of course the highs have their clear cut appeal, but there is also something strangely enligtening and soul cleansing when things in life just don't seem to be going the way we have hoped. For better or worse, that is where I find myself now; in the midst of a struggle that has lead me close to the rock bottom of my poker career. Not far from completely tapped out and facing my own poker mortality, still I find a way to absorb every possible morsel of my surroundings, because I can just sense the relevance of what is going on around me. In spite of everything that has happened, and no matter what the future may hold in poker and any other endeavors, this time in my life is teaching me priceless lessons that will enrich for me for the rest of my life. I would like to share just a few of these right now...

    1. True Friends
    Perhaps the most rewarding aspect of struggle is the realization of who your true friends really are. These are the people that genuinely care about you as a person, and are going to be there and stand by you no matter what your accomplishments may be. These people (including my family) are the absolute most important thing in my life and without a doubt what I cherish the most. My favorite quote of all time is from a Goodie Mob song called "Thought Process", in it Cee-Lo says "It would be nice to have more, but I kinda like being poor, at least I know what my friends here for." I feel exactly the same way, and I value all of my true friends more than I would anything I could ever accomplish in poker.

    2. Self Evaluation
    Struggle triggers self evaluation, and therefore pushes us to better ourselves. By the time late last year rolled around, I had gotten pretty lazy. I had completely stopped working out, eating right, and was probably drinking a little too much. Hand history reviews became more infrequent, and complacency had set in and made himself comfortable. Well a healthy downswing caused by poor play and a lack of focus can definitely wake someone up if they are really honest with themselves. It is so much more convenient to blame luck and variance when things aren't going well, but I have never once met anyone that got anywhere from blaming luck for their problems. As I sit here today I take complete responsibility for my situation, and I know that it is truly within myself to breakthrough it. However, it took a long struggle for me to truly realize this and completely accept it.

    3. Life's Simple Pleasures
    Today I took a walk down to the lake by my house. It was a beautiful afternoon, the sun felt warm on my face and for that one small moment my soul felt free. All of my problems temporarily dissolved while a warm breeze blew across my face and I gazed over the lake to appreciate the simple beauty. Small moments like this remind me that there is just so much more out there no matter what is happening in my tiny little life. When everything is going well, we are staying busy and life just seems to whiz by. Relationships are ruined because we are so consumed with success we forget about what is so much more important, and in the end we sacrifice all of life's most beautiful treasures for a few dollars and some meaningless accomplishments. This is not the type of person I want to be, although I have been before. I strive to have the ability to appreciate the small beauty life has to offer, because at any time it could all be taken away.

    These are just a few of the realizations that have truly sunk into my conscious during what has been one of the most difficult professional times of my life. The price of reflection can indeed be great, but in the end I think it is a small price to pay to have a true understanding of self. On the surface I may be failing miserably in many areas, but everyday I continue to learn more about myself and the world that surrounds me. All of these ideas lead me to believe that all of my recent battles have not been in vain, and in the long run I will be extremely thankful for each and every one of them.
  2. uga7211 uga7211 is offline

    GA
    United States

    Posts: 340
    Joined: Dec 08

    Feb 16th, 2011 (2/16/2011 11:16pm) in reply to herbstreet24

    your learning my young obi one.. stay positive.. sounds like you've come to terms with your self and I think a lot more players whether winning or on a downer can take something positive from your post.. keep fighting sir.. stay thirsty my friends!
     
  3. m_hawk_1 m_hawk_1 is offline

    Australia

    Posts: 752
    Joined: Mar 07

    Feb 16th, 2011 (2/16/2011 11:33pm) in reply to uga7211

    There should be a limit on philosophical PD posts in any given 30 day period.
    471 
  4. apology7 apology7 is offline Cake Poker PLB Champ

    Posts: 1,051
    Joined: Mar 06

    Feb 16th, 2011 (2/16/2011 11:51pm) in reply to m_hawk_1

    the part about finding simple pleasures/beauty really resonated w/ me. since poker is a such a time consuming/mentally draining task, it stays with us long after we are done with a session. it's pretty easy to lose touch of the things that 'really' matter after an excruciating session. it's probably worth saying that poker alone isn't going to make you happy, regardless of how much you've won. as many professionals have stated it's all about finding a balance, though I think you'd be hard pressed to find many mtters, if any, who have really achieved this.
    1 
  5. herbstreet24 herbstreet24 is offline

    United States

    Posts: 735
    Joined: Aug 06

    Feb 17th, 2011 (2/17/2011 1:30am) in reply to m_hawk_1

     
    Originally Posted by m_hawk_1 View Post

    There should be a limit on philosophical PD posts in any given 30 day period.

    I'm guessing this guy isn't a regular reader of my blog :p
    Thread Starter
  6. P0KERDUUDE P0KERDUUDE is offline

    NH
    United States

    Posts: 1,607
    Joined: Feb 08

    Feb 17th, 2011 (2/17/2011 3:49am) in reply to herbstreet24

    You will be successful.
     
  7. 13Jayhawk13 13Jayhawk13 is offline

    Olathe, KS
    United States

    Posts: 761
    Joined: Feb 08

    Feb 17th, 2011 (2/17/2011 4:29am) in reply to herbstreet24

    Easily my favorite all time poster. Keep it up!
  8. dmitch442 dmitch442 is offline

    Saratoga, CA
    United States

    Posts: 11
    Joined: Feb 09

    Feb 19th, 2011 (2/19/2011 2:58am) in reply to 13Jayhawk13

    great post bud, Definitely feel where you are coming from and hope everythgn works out for you buddy. Keep your head up and crush it
     1
  9. herbstreet24 herbstreet24 is offline

    United States

    Posts: 735
    Joined: Aug 06

    Feb 19th, 2011 (2/19/2011 6:20am) in reply to dmitch442

     
    Originally Posted by dmitch442 View Post

    great post bud, Definitely feel where you are coming from and hope everythgn works out for you buddy. Keep your head up and crush it

    thx dmitch u inspire me buddy!
    Thread Starter
  10. moriAArty moriAArty is offline

    Rosemount, MN
    United States

    Posts: 276
    Joined: May 08

    Feb 19th, 2011 (2/19/2011 7:05am) in reply to herbstreet24

    Very nice. Great thoughts.
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