Learning how to hold 'em and when to fold 'em
For years I've been listening to The Gambler by Kenny Rogers. Now let's get one thing straight right up front. I'm not a big country music fan. I enjoy most types of music and some country tunes are fine. I don't get into the drinking, my dog's dying and I've just lost my job, hillbilly mantra. However, The Gambler has stuck with me from the first day I heard it.While I don't remember the first time I heard Kenny's raspy voice belt out the 1978 hit, it has become a part of my life. The song's rhythm and beat is hypnotic to me. It's difficult to explain but I find my foot tapping and no matter where I am, I have to hold myself back from just belting out those golden lyrics. There's just something about that song. It's pure magic to me. Don't get me in front of a live microphone and crank up The Gambler unless you are ready for a live performance courtesy of yours truly!
First and foremost, let's be clear. I am not a gambler. I've never even been to a casino. Sure, I play the lottery occasionally but that's it. I prefer to spend my money, not throw it away—I'm not a very good gambler; Lady Luck, I am not.
I'm sure most of you have heard The Gambler, but let me refresh your memory. Here are my favorite lines:
You got to know when to hold 'em, know when to fold 'em
Know when to walk away, know when to run
You never count your money, when you're sittin' at the table
There'll be time enough for countin', when the dealin's done.
Now that's classic! I'm not talking about literally when to put those cards down. I see this song as a metaphor for life, my life. Yes, Mr. Gunther, my beloved Strasburg High School English teacher, I have learned so much from you. Your lessons still inspire my life.
The card game Kenny sings about is life. The decisions I make (cards I play) determine the outcome of my life. If there is one thing in my life that has become very clear it is that I need to learn when to stand my ground and when to surrender—raise the white flag, thus asking for help. Decisions, we all make them. I think I am approaching the point in my life when I've mastered knowing what to do. Ha!
Last week I was on vacation. I didn't take a long trip or even a short one for that matter. My family just stayed home and relaxed. I mean really just rejuvenated. While I missed not going to a new exciting destination, staying home gave me an opportunity to put things in perspective and The Gambler song kept coming to mind.
It seems like getting caught up in the hustle and bustle, rush, rush of daily work and responsibilities at the office and home can cloud my vision leading to rash decisions and choices. But like the song says, "every hand's a winner and every hand's a loser." Such is life. It is all what we make of it. I guess we can let life lead us or we can lead life. The Gambler for me is a reminder that we, me, you, everyone has that choice, to make their own choice—to play their own cards.
It has been a long journey for me to find my personal secret to survivin'. I am just hoping that I'll have plenty of time for countin' when my dealin' is done.
Take a listen below to a YouTube video of Kenny Rogers singing, The Gambler. Let me know what you think.