All In
"Life shrinks or expands in proportion to one's courage. ~Anaïs Nin, Diary, 1969"
Occasionally we will watch the World Series of Poker on television. It isn't as much about the card game as it is about the strategy that is being played. Some people wear sunglasses so their opponents can't see their eyes, others try to bluff their opponents out of the game by driving up the stakes. My favorite part of the competition is when someone calls "All In" and bets their whole pot of money on they cards in their hand. This makes my heart race. Someone has to believe in the hand they have been dealt with great conviction in order to bet everything they have on it. The moments that they wait to see if they were right about their cards, to see if they were indeed the highest hand, are really agonizing. It is win or lose at that point.
We have come to use that terminology alot in my house. After a fun game of Monopoly, we put our hands in the middle of the table and we call "All In". In this respect we are putting all hands in for a nighttime cheer as a family. Everyone in, nobody is left behind. We have also used "All In" to reference how we feel about an issue or where Vic or I are coming from emotionally about something that we are involved in. When he deployed with his units, he was All In for the betterment of the troops he was surrounded with. When I volunteered for the FRG and the community, I was All In as a military spouse wanting to make a difference for those around me. We have found an incredible school for our children and we are All In as a family. We have the shirts, we have the stickers on the car, we will be at football games and baseball games and booster club events. Most recently I have proclaimed All In in regards to our National Guard Family Programs. Our families of our citizen Soldiers and Airmen deserve nothing short of the best programs that we can provide and somehow I know I have to be a part of that. Not just a small part, but with everything I've got.
It is no small task to decide that you will support something with everything you have. You have to have the courage to give everything. Emotionally, mentally, physically, spiritually, to put all of the force of everything you are behind something that you know is a hand worthy of being played. It is a conviction of the heart.
With a card game the stakes are high and the chance of losing is always there.
In the game of life, the only way you can lose is if you hold back. The only way to lose is to not give it all.
Occasionally we will watch the World Series of Poker on television. It isn't as much about the card game as it is about the strategy that is being played. Some people wear sunglasses so their opponents can't see their eyes, others try to bluff their opponents out of the game by driving up the stakes. My favorite part of the competition is when someone calls "All In" and bets their whole pot of money on they cards in their hand. This makes my heart race. Someone has to believe in the hand they have been dealt with great conviction in order to bet everything they have on it. The moments that they wait to see if they were right about their cards, to see if they were indeed the highest hand, are really agonizing. It is win or lose at that point.
We have come to use that terminology alot in my house. After a fun game of Monopoly, we put our hands in the middle of the table and we call "All In". In this respect we are putting all hands in for a nighttime cheer as a family. Everyone in, nobody is left behind. We have also used "All In" to reference how we feel about an issue or where Vic or I are coming from emotionally about something that we are involved in. When he deployed with his units, he was All In for the betterment of the troops he was surrounded with. When I volunteered for the FRG and the community, I was All In as a military spouse wanting to make a difference for those around me. We have found an incredible school for our children and we are All In as a family. We have the shirts, we have the stickers on the car, we will be at football games and baseball games and booster club events. Most recently I have proclaimed All In in regards to our National Guard Family Programs. Our families of our citizen Soldiers and Airmen deserve nothing short of the best programs that we can provide and somehow I know I have to be a part of that. Not just a small part, but with everything I've got.
It is no small task to decide that you will support something with everything you have. You have to have the courage to give everything. Emotionally, mentally, physically, spiritually, to put all of the force of everything you are behind something that you know is a hand worthy of being played. It is a conviction of the heart.
With a card game the stakes are high and the chance of losing is always there.
In the game of life, the only way you can lose is if you hold back. The only way to lose is to not give it all.
Pam,
Isn't this the truth I am so glad you came into my life so you can so beautifully put into words how I feel! It is also great when you have friends who are these "All In" personalities! Sure makes our lifes easier! You made my day as always! Lu
Reply to this
Lu,
Takes one to know one! The older I get, the more important I find it to surround myself by people who love life with all that they are. You, my friend, are one of those
Reply to this
I agree whole heartedly....Pam does beautifully put feelings, that one relates with, into words! These blogs always have me relate to my own self!
We only live once in our present state of consciousness (...but I do believe in life after death
Reply to this
Dee, Thanks for the comment! You are so right, life should be cherished! I hope your day is a blessed one! ~Pam
Reply to this