A4. The Seven Cards of Life
In my 52 years (a full deck) of life I've had time to verify that we are each dealt a hand with six cards in it. We play a round with it and then we are dealt another six. Every hand is a winner and every hand is a loser. It all depends on how you play it.
1. One card is "Money".
Many think it's the only card that counts. There are a lot of things money can
buy, but there are just as many (often much more important things) that it
can't. Hopefully it's not your only card.
2. The second card is "Friends". They range from acquaintances to
bosom buddies.
3. The third card is "Wisdom". Knowledge is accumulated in many ways,
but experience develops the wisdom to use knowledge. Wisdom is what you want.
4. "Time" is the fourth card. How much time have you got to deal with
the business at hand?
5. Card five is "Health". A component of it is Motivation or
Persistence.
6. The sixth card is "Tolerance". It's the ability to endure pain and
discomfort.
Typically, when you're young, you've got little money and little experience
to work with. Then too most of your friends aren't much help either. So, you've
got three low cards. You're wishing you had more money to solve your problems.
However, consider your other cards first. Your health is great and you've got
lots of time on your hands, too. Then, you don't have trouble tolerating
inconveniences when you want to get something done. So, now you've got three
high cards, too. The hand as a whole isn't too bad at all.
So, does this situation get better or worse as you get older? It could go
either way, but here's one scenario to consider in the above example:
You're now middle age and you've got great credit. Your money card is pretty
high. You've got friends in high places and you've accumulated lots of
experience that is marketable. Now those three low cards have become high
cards.
However, even though you're healthy, you've got kids and maybe sick relatives
to take care of. You could tolerate sleeping on the train, but they need a
hotel - a good one. Plus, you can't find the time for a decent vacation now.
There are too many demands on your time. The fact is that you've got three low
cards too. So, you're in pretty much the same spot as before. Your fate will be
determined by how you play the hands.
Oh! by the way. We each always have access to a seventh card, a wild card, as well.
This wild card is called, "Trust in God". It works like this. Whatever hand you get, you play it to the best of your ability and then to lay this card on top of the pile. This card means you are willing to trust that God can make something terrific out of whatever has happened. You talk to God about what is happening and keep Him appraised. When you're good or bad, happy or sad, you talk to Him. Do your best and let God do the rest. Then, whatever happens in the near-term, it will be for the best when the smoke clears.
26 July 2001
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