The Card Game of Life

We have all heard someone lament, and maybe you’ve even had these thoughts yourself, “Life just dealt me a bad hand.” It’s often used as an excuse for failing to live up to someone’s potential or inability to overcome circumstances.

While it’s certainly true some have not been dealt the best “cards” as they entered the world, it’s also important to remember that life isn’t like some card games, such as spades or hearts, where you are forced to play with those cards the entire hand. No, it’s more like poker. There’s some risk and “chance” involved for sure, but you also have the opportunity to turn in your cards. You aren’t “stuck” with everything you are originally dealt. And, unlike all of these games, in life, you have some control over the cards you receive back after turning in the originals.

Where you were born, your parent’s socioeconomic status, your upbringing and education might all be the “luck of the draw.” But the “cards” you actually play and how you play them are much more under your control and influence. You have a choice: complain about the cards in your hand (this is the popular choice), or go create new ones to play. Being stuck is a decision.

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Mindset Matters

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