In part one, I concluded by proposing that a key to success lies in mastering the harsh game of probability and taking risks. Essentially, this means gambling. This idea is fundamental and worth deep reflection. For instance, Webster’s dictionary defines risk-taking as: Engaging in an action that involves danger or risk to accomplish a goal. Additionally, gambling is defined as: The activity of placing bets or risking money or other stakes in a game or wager.
Observe the contrasting and somewhat negative connotations of both definitions. Risk-taking implies the presence of danger yet remains silent on the prospect of reward. Gambling revolves around the ominous concept of betting, again with no mention of potential gains. Here’s the unvarnished truth: countless times each day, you engage in risk-taking and betting, for life itself is akin to a vast, unpredictable game! The real question you must ponder is whether you are gambling with wisdom and insight or merely drifting through life in a naïve and uninformed manner, hoping that your God, fate or chance will determine your destiny.
Do you ever really ponder probabilities? Take marriage, for instance. Choosing whether to marry and whom to marry is one of the most significant decisions you’ll ever face. What criteria did you, or will you, use? Did you follow your parents’ pattern of staying in a miserable and unhealthy marriage for years, or did you witness multiple divorces within your family or among relatives? Did you evaluate personalities and compatibility? Moreover, did you take into account the chances of success? After all, 40 to 50% of first marriages end in divorce, while 60-67% of second marriages face the same fate. Interestingly, Catholics have the lowest divorce rates at 34%, with those attending mass weekly divorcing at a 24% rate, while those who don’t attend mass come close to the general population average with a 38% rate.
Oh, wow! Just look at how poorly we handle one of the biggest gambles in our lives. Even the most devout individuals who attend church every week, guided by a faith that considers divorce a sin, only make the right choice 75% of the time. Meanwhile, the general population manages to get it right just 50 to 60% of the time. It’s astonishing how much of a gamble we take, isn’t it? Imagine the risks we take in other areas of our lives, from deciding on career paths to predicting the victor of the Bear/Packer game next weekend. It’s no wonder casinos boast such enormous profit margins from their products!
I am fully aware that belief that we should always evaluate probabilities when gambling, and that everything is a gamble, could be condemned as morally reprehensible by some. Yet, I find a profound sense of peace in what I have learned. This is rooted in my conviction that gambling doesn’t inherently spiral into addiction, provided one truly comprehends its essence. Having delved into the studies of addiction, I am acutely aware of its devastating consequences. However, I also recognize that addiction’s insidious grip can surface in myriad forms, extending far beyond merely stigmatized behaviors. In fact, numerous everyday activities, widely accepted and even celebrated, can wreak havoc on individuals and devastate families.
I’ve witnessed people so consumed by their obsession with football that they pour thousands of dollars into NFL season tickets every year, all while their children’s athletic dreams hang by a thread, dependent on the charity of youth booster groups. I’ve seen tobacco addicts blatantly ignore the mountain of evidence screaming that their habit is a ticking time bomb, not just for their health but for the mental and physical well-being of everyone they claim to love. Alcoholics lash out at those closest to them, clinging to the delusion that only booze can bring them joy. Technology addicts are relentless in their pursuit of the newest phones, cars, computers, video games, and televisions, yet somehow they never find the time to share a simple storybook with their kids. I’ve even encountered market analysts who are so enslaved by their addiction to investing that they gamble away their fortunes and risk plunging their entire family into financial ruin.
I have seen firsthand the catastrophic destruction wreaked by unrestrained addiction in all its guises. Regardless of its form, addiction can obliterate lives and drag individuals into a bottomless abyss of despair. Some might argue that gambling is merely another addiction, but I contend that the very term is part of the insidious problem. To me, gambling is an all-consuming force that infiltrates every facet of our daily existence—from the deliberate choices we make and the calculated risks we take, to the goods we buy and the opportunities we invest in, or even the electrifying entertainment we dare to indulge in. Its allure is like a vice grip, its consequences devastating and far-reaching, transforming life into an unending battle against its relentless pull.
Once you have absorbed the raw unfiltered truths about gambling there will be no escaping the realization that every single person you cross paths with is a gambler. This relentless force infiltrates every aspect of our existence. By acknowledging its power, we can seize an advantage and expand our possibilities. If you remain skeptical, I will be utterly astounded.
Why settle for mediocrity when greatness is within your grasp, waiting to be claimed? Why yield to defeat when victory eagerly awaits your arrival? Why ignore those in desperate need when you possess the power to create profound change? Why live a life of scarcity when abundance is there for the taking? Why accept average when you can relentlessly pursue excellence? And why endure suffering when inner peace is just within reach, ready to envelop you? Embracing the unvarnished truth and empowering others to take calculated, data-driven risks rather than succumbing to the chaotic allure of emotional risks fueled by a craving for drama unleashed my potential and set my soul free. It could very well do the same for you.
Many brave souls find themselves wrestling with the perplexing world of gambling, often viewing the labyrinth of game rules as a challenge akin to deciphering ancient hieroglyphs. With the casino’s flashing lights and whirring sounds composing a chaotic yet oddly captivating symphony, each game becomes a delightful dance of chance and strategy. But fear not, for I firmly believe that with some good old-fashioned determination and a sprinkle of practice, anyone can polish their risk-taking skills and find a winning edge in whatever adventure they choose to embark on. Sure, the journey might require a mountain of patience and a steadfast dedication to sharpening those predictive skills while waving goodbye to unfounded beliefs, but hey, what worthwhile pursuit doesn’t demand a bit of commitment? In the end, mastering the art of making informed predictions, even if they occasionally wobble like a jelly on a plate, is crucial for success both in the gambling arena and the grand game of life.
Through thoughtful analysis and a dash of clever thinking, I can predict a rainbow of winning probabilities for any event. Picture this: a simple even money bet, where you wager a dollar with the chance to double your delight. If my calculations show a 60% or higher chance of success, I’ll gleefully place a sensible bet. Yet, many folks hesitate to make such wagers. Why, you ask? Perhaps it’s their pursuit of perfect predictions, a goal that’s as elusive as a cat on a hot tin roof. The thought of losing 40% of the time is enough to send those overly cautious souls scurrying for cover, their fear of risk keeping them snugly nestled in the realm of mediocrity.
If the odds are ever in my favor, much like in the Hunger Games, I’m diving in with the enthusiasm of a kid at a candy store. I picture myself rushing into the chaos, heart racing, fueled by the thrill of “who knows what could happen next!” Meanwhile, there are those who cling to their comfort zones like a cat to a warm laundry basket, convinced that perfection is just within reach if they can avoid every banana peel life throws at them. They sidestep risks like they’re dodging dance moves at a wedding. These folks are either too shy to predict the future with any confidence or so bogged down by worry that they can’t even peek outside their comfort bubble. It’s like watching a bird that won’t leave its cozy nest, even when there’s a party going on just outside. I feel a mix of sympathy and impatience for these cautious creatures, who remind me of penguins dreaming of flight but sticking to their waddle. Fly, you brave little penguins, fly! Or, at the very least, enjoy the slide.
In all honesty, I am acutely aware that I am a gambler. It’s been an intrinsic part of my nature for as long as I can remember, and the same is true for you, whether you recognize it or not!
More to come in Part 3.
Old Man Pondering 
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