"Five Card Draw" is one of the most common poker games for beginners. At the start of the game, each player is dealt five cards. After the initial review, each player has the option to exchange up to three cards in hopes of obtaining better cards that will provide a winning hand. At the end, each player chooses to play or fold their hand to the eventual winner.

 

Life’s Version of Five Card Draw

 

Life is not fair. The cold hard truth is that many of us are placed at a disadvantage right at the start of life. In light of the recent brutality and rioting, we've been made more aware of the concepts of systemic racism and white privledge.  Socioeconomical challenges or advantages play a part in more lives than those who care to admit. Just like "Five Card Draw", it's symbolized by the cards one is dealt.

 

To make things even more complicated, life events come along and shape us into the people we are today. Circumstances beyond our control can change lives in a direction one never saw coming. Imagine the dealer during the round saying "I need to replace two of your cards" as you stare at a perfect royal flush. From the loss of a loved one to winning the lottery, these events completely turn life's direction on its head. Whatever the event, the one thing all of them have in common is (1) what each of us can learn from them and (2) how we can react to them.

 

Education Through Books or Education Through Experience?

 

When concrete is poured, it eventually hardens and is practically indestructible by human hands. But before it hardens, there is an opportunity to shape it or design the surface. The "School of Hard Knocks" is just as much of a life shaping resource as The "School of Book Smarts". Many can and have made more out of it than plenty who have taken the latter and thrown it all away.

 

In Rocky IV, Rocky Balboa goes to Russia to fight Ivan Drago. In the training montage of the movie, the two examples of resources each are provided sheds light on this example. Drago is given the finest technology and performance enhancing supplements. Rocky simply finds at his disposal and large fishing net filled with boulders to lift and a mountain to climb. In the end as expected, Rocky wins over Drago as he has better utilized the tools given.

 

It's difficult to grasp the meaning of life when what you are provided is perceived as less than others around you. You have the means to make great happen with what you are given. The tougher the road is, the greater the triumph. Get going!

Hear more from Bradford Gosky about the CARDS Pillar: Pillar: "CARDS" - Narrative/Introduction | The IniGO Pillars