Your life, my dream. How many times I've heard people say this to me. Of course on the outside my life looks really cool. Travel the world, play a game to make money, seemingly no worries, no stress. Of course I admit, I am a very happy person, but there are things you don't see and don't know.
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| Taj Mahal 2012 |
I for one, am not financially rich. A lot of people assume I am because of the life I live. I have a very mediocre bankroll at best. Thankfully I still win more than I lose usually so it's not too bad. But some months I barely can keep up with my expenses. If I had no income for a few years I would be broke. But yet I chose this life, happily. Sure I want to be rich, I want more money, I want to earn as much as I can like anyone else, but more so I want to live.
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| Amsterdam 2018 |
Imagine this. If you've been told, you have one year to live, what would you do? Would you still grind at your job, trying to save for the "future"? Would you still go to work the next day? Would you still worry about your business, mortgage, or bank account? Or would you spend your time on important things? Your loved ones, your family? Eating the things you want to eat, going to places you want to visit, doing the things you've always wanted to to?
The problem is, most people don't know which day is their last. And when they do, it is too late. Someone did a survey with old people, and asked them what their biggest regret was. Surprisingly, most people did not regret what they did, but rather they regretted what they didn't do. They wished, they had done things differently, took that job, went on that trip, moved to that country, bought that house, took that risk, took that leap of faith.
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| WSOPE Rozvadov 2021 (where I got crushed) |
Happiness is not a destination, happiness is a choice. We are all trying to attain things that we think can get us happiness. Most people think it's money, some think it's health, others think it's a big house, nice car, hot girlfriend, fame or power. But some of the unhappiest people on earth are super rich, super famous, super powerful, and some have tragically taken their own lives. I used to think Anthony Bourdain's life was my dream, but he too ended it himself. But what if I told you there's a shortcut to happiness? And it starts with yourself.
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| Cesky Krumlov 2020 |
There are only two types of unhappy people in the world. The first type is "unhappy because they don't have what they want". I want money, I want power, I want a big house, but I don't have it so I am unhappy. The second type is "unhappy because they have the things they don't want". I don't want cancer, I don't want this shitty job, I don't want this stress, but I have it so I am unhappy. Which one are you? The solution for the first type is stop wanting things. Be appreciative of the things you have. You are alive. You have internet access. You have a phone, or computer (since you're reading this). You have money in your bank. You are already doing much better than millions of people in the world. The solution to the second type is appreciate the other things you don't have. Your life is not in constant danger, you don't have to worry about food, or clothes, or somewhere to sleep. Only once you have accepted your status quo only you can progress as a happy person. Then from then on, whatever you get is just bonus.
So next time if you want to say this to me again, why not say, "I'm living my dream life"? You owe it to yourself.
