Passion

When I was playing poker, what drove me to play? What was the driving factor in grinding it out? Was it because I hated the former entry level corporate position I previously had or was it something more profound? I struggle today to find that same level of passion for I'm trying to make hapen today. Perhaps it was the lure of fast money and independently set work hours. That new found freedom was something I never really had while working the 9 to 5. But if that is the argument then the situation I am in now is perfectly analagous to that same kind of freedom and self driven meritocratical system. However hard you work for yourself will yield results equal to the effort you put in. You shall reap what you sow, indeed. Pick up your skirt, and let's show 'em how you can really dance. You don't want to end up like some of the failed lives you see around you everyday. The only difference between a winning poker player and a losing one is passion.

Challenges

In life, everyone is faced with some sort of challenge everyday. Whether it be as small as choosing which pair of socks to wear or as large as deciding to take a new road in life that will shape the rest of it. Honestly, I don't know how I got where I am but if life was already scripted then rest assured that it would be pretty disinteresting. I once asked 'What is happiness to you?' to many people after watching Vanilla Sky where Cameron Diaz's character asks Tom Cruise's character the same question. Of all the answers I received, my godsister gave me one of the only memorable ones. She profoundly stated that happiness to her is not knowing what will happen tomorrow. To her, knowing that each day would bring a new adventure and challenge was already that she needed to enjoy life. To this day I remember that short conversation over sushi from more than 5 years ago. Her 'come what may' attitude really inspired me, albeit on a subconscious level, to really learn to love the present and the future. Do I know what will happen tomorrow? Assuredly not. However, I do welcome it with open arms because that is what brought me to where I am today.