Know When to Hold 'Em

It's curious to me that I am fond of (and inspired by) these one-liners from popular and beloved songs. This one, from Kenny Rogers' famous "The Gambler" is what I'd call the card player's Serenity Prayer — as the sentiment is the same, in my opinion. The traditional wording goes something like this: "God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference". 

I hope the point is clear. You have to pick your battles. You have to exercise the discipline of discernment—of wisdom. Wisdom is the key.

Problem for most of us comes at that juncture. We may arrive at that place where we see the light, when all becomes a moment of clarity. But then comes the execution. Wisdom has really nothing to do with action. It's simply the sense to tell the difference and make sound judgment. But execution is an altogether different matter. Can you carry it out? Do you have what it takes to proceed with the insights before you?

Enter patience.

As a runner, I have learned the hard way about knowing when to hold 'em, and conversely knowing when to fold your hand. If you want to live to run another day, so to speak, sometimes the option best taken is to wait.