Life Lessons

Many valuable life lessons can be learned from simply playing a game of pool. My father would always take that time to apply meaningful concepts that would always transfer over to every other aspect of life. I thought I would share a few of the wise words that I have learned over the years while playing.

Enjoy... the game, or rather find (or make) your own joy. Whatever you are doing, or who you are with, your happiness is what you make it. It doesn't matter whether you win or lose... it matters that you take the time to enjoy what you are given and appreciate what you have. So if you spend your life making excuses of why you are miserable... you will be miserable, or you can choose to be happy in life. The choice is yours.

Practice, practice, practice... that's really all it takes to accomplish any goal in life. If you want to be better at the game of pool, or you are aspiring to improve some other aspect of your life, the key to success always comes down to practice makes perfect.

Mistakes happen... and there is no point in letting them ruin the rest of your game, or your day. If you spend all your time dwelling on what could have been, when you clearly have no ability to change it, you are only wasting your time. Learn from your mistakes, and then let them go. Free yourself to move on and enjoy the rest of the experience life has to offer you.

Take your time and focus... because rash, hasty decisions often result in actions we wish we could take back. Slow down and think before you choose a course of action. This gives you a chance to think about the possible effects that could result from your decision. Based on those possibilities, you can make a much better decision, and hopefully one you are much less likely to regret later.

Humble and quiet will take you far... in everything you do. I have learned that you always learn more with your mouth shut, than with your mouth open. When I stop talking and just simply listen, I have found that I learn more and understand things more clearly. As for being humble, no one wants to be around someone who boasts and brags about themselves constantly. There is a difference between taking pride in your accomplishments, however and you can be proud and humble at the same time.

and last but not least...

Things are not always pretty... and life is not always going to be bunny rabbits and roses. The not so pretty times are just part of life. There will be times when you want to give up and quit. Don't ever give in and walk away from the table. Don't be a quitter. Take the bad in stride with the good. After all, we could not appreciate the good without having the bad to compare it to. There will always be another game to play, the sun will rise to start a new day, and there will always be another chance to start over. Always approach those new chances optimistically, after all... Life is too short.