Two Rags - View Single Post

10-28-2008, 02:10 PM

Hello Bond,

I've read your articles for a long time, starting out when I was studying abroad for the semester in Melbourne Australia over a year ago. I've read your "Things it took me a while to learn" series, and then read it a second time once I became more serious about tournament play. I followed your 90 day trip around the world, have read your hilarious blog entries and railed you from time to time in tournaments on tilt or stars. However, I've never commented on a single one of your entries. That is until today.

This particular post and it's emo nature touches on the self-evaluation I go through periodically in my own life. Poker is an important part of my life, but I often find myself having to take long breaks when it starts to overtake the important aspects of my life. At the start of this semester I wrote to myself "Do I like who I am now? What do I want for a job? What matters to me most? Is it money, happiness, family, helping others? What do I want in a relationship, what type of girl? Is business right for me or should I think about other options?" These questions were helpful to an extent, but figuring things out became easier when I tried eliminating different roles that I have. Although poker has given a lot to me, more money then I'll make from now until I graduate in a year and a half, and has helped introduce me to a lot of people, I was able to eliminate poker-player from this theoretical list. What I couldn't eliminate where my roles as a family-member, as a friend, and as a student. These three roles are what I value most and what make me the happiest. Ya, it's great to win a huge tournament, but what gives it meaning is celebrating with those close to us. I love playing poker and will always continue to do play at some level. However, I've realized that money is not the most important thing in my life and I'm never going to take a job just for high pay. I need to genuinely enjoy it, and it must not jeopardize my relationships with friends or family.

Yes, I suppose my reply is much more emo than your actual post but just some food for thought. Figure out what you want in life and then go after it hard. By a poker players standard you may not be rich, but you are certainly quite comfortable and successful. Poker will always be there, sometimes it's just necessary to take a break and reconnect to other things that really matter in your life.

On a side note, good luck in the competition this month. You best kick stevol's ass.

10-28-2008, 02:10 PM	#2 (permalink)
Anonymous Guest Posts: n/a	Hello Bond, I've read your articles for a long time, starting out when I was studying abroad for the semester in Melbourne Australia over a year ago. I've read your "Things it took me a while to learn" series, and then read it a second time once I became more serious about tournament play. I followed your 90 day trip around the world, have read your hilarious blog entries and railed you from time to time in tournaments on tilt or stars. However, I've never commented on a single one of your entries. That is until today. This particular post and it's emo nature touches on the self-evaluation I go through periodically in my own life. Poker is an important part of my life, but I often find myself having to take long breaks when it starts to overtake the important aspects of my life. At the start of this semester I wrote to myself "Do I like who I am now? What do I want for a job? What matters to me most? Is it money, happiness, family, helping others? What do I want in a relationship, what type of girl? Is business right for me or should I think about other options?" These questions were helpful to an extent, but figuring things out became easier when I tried eliminating different roles that I have. Although poker has given a lot to me, more money then I'll make from now until I graduate in a year and a half, and has helped introduce me to a lot of people, I was able to eliminate poker-player from this theoretical list. What I couldn't eliminate where my roles as a family-member, as a friend, and as a student. These three roles are what I value most and what make me the happiest. Ya, it's great to win a huge tournament, but what gives it meaning is celebrating with those close to us. I love playing poker and will always continue to do play at some level. However, I've realized that money is not the most important thing in my life and I'm never going to take a job just for high pay. I need to genuinely enjoy it, and it must not jeopardize my relationships with friends or family. Yes, I suppose my reply is much more emo than your actual post but just some food for thought. Figure out what you want in life and then go after it hard. By a poker players standard you may not be rich, but you are certainly quite comfortable and successful. Poker will always be there, sometimes it's just necessary to take a break and reconnect to other things that really matter in your life. On a side note, good luck in the competition this month. You best kick stevol's ass.