YOU DONT NEED A ROYAL FLUSH TO ENJOY PLAYING THE GAME.

A royal flush is the best hand you can be dealt in a game of poker. It is when you receive an Ace, King, Queen, Jack, and 10 all of the same suit in the same hand. While it is a power hand, the likelihood of getting a royal flush is 0.000154% and odds of 649,739:1 Royal flushes are rare yet people still love playing poker. Few people receive a royal flush but it isn’t something players complain about. A seasoned poker player understands it does little good to worry about the cards that aren’t in your hand. Poker players know they must look at their cards, and then using their knowledge of the game, build a strategy and play their hand the best way possible. Why am I talking about poker? After all, I’m a terrible gambler. However, there is a powerful life lesson in this: You don’t need a royal flush to enjoy the game. Many times people become too focused in life on the things they don’t have or weren’t given. They obsess over disadvantages or become overwhelmed by only looking at the less desirable cards in their hand instead of learning how to identify and celebrate and be appreciative for their cards. People can say: I don’t have a trust fund. I’m didn’t go to an Ivy League school. I’m not as attractive as the Victoria Secret model. I’m not as funny as Kevin Hart. My parents were alcoholics. Teachers didn’t like me. My childhood wasn’t the best. I lost a parent at a young age. My car needs a new transmission. ... on and on we can go looking at the “bad cards” we were dealt in life. Does that make us feel any better? Is it worth it to sit around and constantly complain about the cards we were dealt? I suggest it makes sense to view the cards in our hand, strategize on how to play our hands the best possible way, and move forward? I do not want to be the type of person that sits around and complains about my cards. I want to be the person that feels blessed for ALL of the cards in my hand. Embrace the challenges. Enjoy the ups and downs — the desirable and the undesirable. Do not sit around wondering where your Royal Flush is and then childishly complain that you didn’t get it. Play the cards in your hand with excitement and joy. Be happy you are alive and able to play another hand. Today is a gift, and I hope you have a wonderful day and week playing the cards in your hand. I love you all. I’d love to hear your thoughts What cards were you dealt that you need to stop complaining about? - Phillip Andrew LA 3.19.18