A Game of Chance

“This game is seven card stud”

Most of you who play poker or read ‘A Streetcar Named Desire’ by Tennessee Williams will recognize this quote. It somehow flashed out in front of me after a certain epiphany.

I have always been in favor of the idea that we determine our own fates, our destinies, and ultimately our lives. However, this fails to hold true on deeper thought. It is now more plausible to say that we can merely influence the direction of our lives, but to have absolute control is somewhat puzzling.

Everyday, we are presented with new opportunities. Opportunities to study, to make friends, to exercise….which opportunities are best for the future? Who really knows? The guy sitting next to you might have an unique connection with you, but a conversation fails to flow through because you’re both afraid of strangers. After that, the conversation is lost, and the person who could have been your best friend, your new network, or what have you, has left you as a foregone opportunity.

People say playing video games is a waste of time. I beg to differ – video games have never been a better source of socialization method. So are comic books, or books, or anything. I have made friends just by talking about dota/HON (and I didn’t even have to play an actual game with them). And there they were – our parents saying that it’s completely a waste of time. At that time I thought they were right. But upon reflection – not really.

I guess I’ve taking on a highly investment-like view of time. We never know what type of opportunities we actually hold until we either lose or gain them. It feels almost like a game of chance, where we simply make some decisions, and life and its many factors take us for a ride.

Am I simply saying sit back and enjoy the ride? Sort of. Am I saying that we have absolutely no control of our lives? Not exactly. Like on a roller coaster, it’s not guaranteed you won’t fall off. What I’m trying to say is that there’s always those that try to become something that they are not. Those who act, doing something they have see no pleasure in doing. When they do it, and their actions don’t reach the goal they anticipated, they feel out of control and spiral into a whirl of depression.

So what? Well, live life decisively – reflect everyday to make sure you know where your values lie, who you are. Build on your strengths, and one day, lady Fortuna will reward you for sticking persistently to your values. It’s all a game of chance anyways, so why not make your bet on actions that you enjoy making? Don’t regret it when you think other people have better outcomes than you, because sooner or later, those say outcomes could come looking for you.

Stick to your values persistently, and let life guide you through. Prepare to live and enjoy your life.