My family went camping Columbus Day weekend. I was the first to awaken one morning so I sat up, set my timer for 20 minutes, and meditated. One thing I love about Transcendental Meditation is how random background sounds become the essential backdrop for the deep delve into a transcendental state. So, the extraneous sound I heard: incessant dogs barking, family members stirring, and the RVs heat turning on and off were all welcome.
Later, during bingo, we had a meditation moment-believe it or not. One of us was getting close to getting a bingo. A grocery bag full of candy bars was on the line. Someone in our party struck a meditation pose as a joke hoping to win. As I thought about it later, meditation wouldn’t really help us win. Instead, it may help us detach from the desire to win it all!
Sometimes, I imagine what a yogi would act like if he or she was on the Price is Right. Can you feel the stress of a contestant in the climactic showcase showdown? All that amazing stuff: a new car, trip to Cabo Wabo, or a new hot tub. I’d like to think the Yogi– being an enlightened person – would be detached from the emotions of winning the prize. There wouldn’t be any discomfort or stress. The Yogi would simply guess for the game’s sake but not be emotionally involved with the outcome. That’s what I’d like to be like.
Over-confidence Comes and Goes
Our campground had activities planned throughout the day. I watched a dart throwing contest for kids. I noticed a kid acting with bravado. He was very convincing! I figured he’d win for sure. But by the semi-finals - the overconfident kid went packing. All it took to beat him was a moderate degree of proficiency -despite all of his bluster.
It reminded me of my middle school years. I was one of a dozen drummers in the band. The top drummers were the popular jocks of the school. They talked a good game in the drum section. However, I had become a very studious drummer – kind of an oxymoron, I know. I consistency practiced at least 30 minutes a day. It turned out, the other drummers weren’t. If you keep your nose to the grind stone things can change. One day during band rehearsal, we came upon a drum part that was a little tricky. When the band director asked if anybody could play it, I raised my hand. By the next day, I was known by everyone to be the top drummer and it was a role I held through high school!
Poker’s Soft Skills
I played Texas Holdem poker for the first time at the campground this weekend. It was fun! I’ve never been much of a card player. However, I’m crazy about backgammon. I played in the teen/adult poker tournament and found it fascinating to watch teens make a point of making eye contact to get as many clues as possible as the game intensified.
Share an example of how the tides changed for you. When did you move to the top of the pack?