Life's Challenges

June 1, 2008

Dear Friends,

Have you heard the story about the gambler who dies and finds himself in a very peculiar afterlife? He discovers that—at least for him—the afterlife consists of an eternal game of poker that he will be playing with several other deceased gamblers.

He is elated by this prospect, and is delighted when he easily wins the first hand. He is even more excited when he wins the second hand. And when he wins the third hand, he is absolutely ecstatic. However, when he also wins the fourth hand, he is more surprised than happy. And when he wins the fifth hand, he is downright puzzled. Finally, after winning the sixth hand, seventh hand, and eighth hand, the gambler exclaims: “Hey, this isn’t any fun! I don’t think I’m going to like it here in Heaven.” To which, one of the other gamblers replies: “What made you think this was Heaven?”

I chose to tell this story because I think it makes a good follow-up to last week’s message. Last week, if you recall, I wrote about all the pleasures that life has to offer you, if you will just pause long enough—and be present long enough—to notice and appreciate them.

But life is not always one pleasure after another, is it? As we row our boats down the stream toward the fulfillment of our dreams, we also encounter rocks and reeds, sandbars and whirlpools, unexpected turns and dead-end tributaries—often as a direct result of our own freewill choices. Can you appreciate those experiences also? Can you appreciate life’s challenges as well as life’s pleasures?

The wonderful thing about life is that it is the turbulent parts of the stream that enable you to truly appreciate the more peaceful parts. You cannot fully appreciate experiences like comfort, freedom, and ease, unless you also know their opposites. As I have said before, the true joy of living comes from learning how to appreciate life as a whole—including any rapids or waterfalls you might encounter along the way.

Like the gambler realized in the afterlife, you can’t enjoy winning unless you also experience losing. Here’s to enjoying the game of life, and remembering that it’s the bad hands, as well as the good hands, that keep the game interesting . . . and ultimately, fulfilling.

Steven

© 2008 by Steven Lane Taylor
Author of Row, Row, Row Your Boat:
A Guide for Living Life in the Divine Flow