You Have to Play the Hand You are Dealt

 Poker is a pretty good metaphor for life. I fully admit I don't play a lot of poker but I know how and have played in the past. Poker takes a lot of patience, waiting for hands that will yield results. The game doesn't give me the dopamine dump I am looking for but, it has taught me some lessons.

The most important lesson is you have to play the hand you are dealt. We all know that the same people end up at the final table of the World Series of Poker every year. The longer you play in a tournament the less the hands you are dealt matter. A lot of people start the World Series of Poker but only one wins. As the hands pile up, and everyone's opportunities become more homogenous, those that know how to take advantage of ok and good hands will rise to the top. 

In life you need to do the same. Opportunities are everywhere and a few are great. Some are really good. Even more opportunities are good, and a lot are ok. If you keep waiting for the great opportunities to show up you will miss all the really good, good, and even the ok opportunities. The less than perfect opportunities are what move you forward. These are what you need to see and take advantage of, to get to a place where you can pounce on the really good and great opportunities. 

Another way to look at it is, you can't give up on an opportunity every time there is a hardship. You need to find a way. Yes, there are times that it is smart to stop, but rarely is it a good idea to quit when the solution isn't all that hard. You may not always have the resources you need for things to run smoothly. However, if you try anyway things may still run, activities and tasks will get completed, and you will be closer to the goal.

The most successful people try and fail a lot. They believe in themselves and their team a little too much, and because of that, they are successful a bit more often. That little bit more keeps moving them closer to the rare situations that most people can't imagine being in.

I'm not perfect. I let opportunities slip. I don't always see the potential in situations. I make bad decisions. However, I'm always looking to see how I can get closer to where I want things to be. I'm always trying to move forward. I'm always trying to get things done.

Poker is a game that reflects on life. To be at the final table, you need to see enough opportunities to make something happen with the cards you are dealt. The perfect hand may not come your way but a lot of good, and some very good hands will.

You May Be Judged

I really believe in free speech. You can say whatever you want. It doesn't bother me. However, I will judge you for what you say.

I was witness to a conversation today that made me take note. It was about Christmas. One of the parties to the conversation was arguing that we shouldn't be having things like NBA basketball games on Christmas Day because it will prevent a lot of people from being with their families on that special day.

I see his point.

However, this person is also a member of the senior management of a for profit organization that was open the minute the law allowed for on Remembrance Day.

I'm a firm believer that we should take one whole day each year to remember and thank those who gave up so much so we could have choice in our life. How does it often fall to the wayside for people to show respect for ordinary people who committed to a cause and faced  evil forces to ensure the future would be bright.

I didn't speak up this time. I wanted to see where the whole argument would go. This is definitely a case of actions speaking a lot louder than words. Preventing people from being able to show their thanks and support for the few that did so much is very unfortunate. What is even unfortunate is people don't have the depth to realize that they do not approach each situation with the same moral compass.

He was right, it is important to have families together for Christmas and if at all possible employers should facilitate this. Most families do get at least a couple of days a year that they can spend together, I only ask for one whole day to remember and say thanks for our precious freedom.

Change is Coming

What have I done this time? I often write about how I see the world unfolding. This time it's all about me.

In 1989 when my family moved back to Russell, Manitoba I joined 677 Russell, Royal Canadian Air Cadet Squadron. After six years as a cadet and doing most of the most amazing activities the program has to offer, it was time to stop being a cadet. I really wanted to give back to the program and keep flying so I enrolled in the CIC. After about 6 years I ended up working full time as a CIC officer. A couple of promotions later and a posting to Ottawa, this amazing ride is going to take another change. I'm going back to part time service.

There are a lot of reasons I decided to change how I earn a living but the biggest is it's time.

I have been involved in the Air Cadet Program for 24 years. I'm not sure how much longer I could sit at a desk and do headquarters type work without starting to become jaded so I'm not going to let it happen. I can now get back to why I decided to stay involved in the program after being a cadet and that is to give back to youth in Canada. It's a chance to be one of the guys and not be worried about they myriad of issues that come with any full time job. It's a chance to help people develop and show them the best way to use the system. It's a chance to be able to express my opinion without it being confused with policy. It's a chance to show people how to use the structure to affect change. It's a chance to explain why things work and prepare them to be adults that make an impact.

I do not regret taking a full time job or coming to Ottawa. In fact, I may very well live here the rest of my life. I have unique experience and can use that to make things better at the grassroots level. I can be excited to go flying again. 

It's going to be different but it's also going to be amazing. I'm excited about how much I can do and the opportunities that may come.

2011- The Year That Was

It's the end of the year, it seems that you are supposed to look back at your year, reflect, and look forward to the next one. I have taken my share of time doing that. I'm not going to write about it. I had an amazing year. I learned a lot and lived an improved life. All of it comes down to one thing.

If you don't make things happen, they won't. If you try, you may be surprised by the results.

That really sums up my year. Late in 2010 I took a job that has probably altered the course of my life forever. I moved, took on new challenges, and made new discoveries. As incredibly challenging as I found the year, I would not trade it for anything.

When I look back at where I grew up, at the realities that I faced, I am a bit amazed where I have ended up. Some of it was a bit of luck. Opportunities showed up when I was looking. Maybe they are always there but you don't see them unless you want to but, I took advantage of a few. Because of that, I have ended up with a combination of education, experience, and ability to do something unique.

All that has lead me to a lifestyle I enjoy, in a city I like doing a job I like.

I don't know what 2012 will bring, in a way I don't care. I know there will be great days and frustrating days. There will be joy and sadness. There will be opportunities if I want to take them and that's what excites me the most.