His presentation said that in your life it’s a good idea to create two lists, one of what’s working, and one of ‘not working’ and the premise of his talk was, for the things that are not working, don’t spend a lot of time trying to ‘make them work’, instead, cut them out of your life, quickly and efficiently. I took this advice to heart. Unfortunately when I preformed this exercise on my life, I found there were several things I needed to let go of and get out of my life. One involved a person who I love, but should not be in business with. Our business arrangement wasn’t working, hadn’t been working for months, and yet I was holding onto something, because I ‘wanted to fix it’. After hearing this presentation, I knew it was time to cut bait and move on.

Problem is, he doesn’t want to let go, and is still holding onto the idea that we can ‘fix it’. I’ve searched my heart and I know I will not change him, nor do I want to try, at this point I just want to move on.

This is a new experience for me, I’m usually the one holding on and trying to ‘fix it’, but in a way it’s very refershing to just be happy letting go.

It was warm, like the kind of warm that makes your clothes stick to your skin, which for a town that is particularity cold this time of year, would normally be nice, but on this night, it was uncomfortable. The score was 2/1 with one more to go and the second best player on the other team waiting in the wings. The tension was so thick, everyone, even the people just casually watching could feel it, like a thin layer that was surrounding us, much like the heat that was on too high. It was my turn, my rack, my break, and I’d never beaten this guy before, in past match ups. I was playing some of the best pool of my life, up to that point in the evening, and other than a small mistake that cost me one game, I had run through my other opponents like a hot knife though butter. I was excited and the adrenaline filled my body. I racked ‘em and had a good solid break and the game was on.

It was a bitter battle, like chess pieces moving across a board, each player trying to position themselves for the win, but this night, victory would be mine. I threw down my opponent, and smote his ruin in that bar.

To say I was excited, would be an understatement. I was ecstatic.

But the night wasn’t over. When the score sheets were tallied up, we were in a tie with the number one team in the league, and as would be explained to me shortly, when a tie happens, each team picks a player for a sudden death winner take all playoff. Guess who my team elected?

Staring me down from the other team’s huddle, was their number one player, another man, I’d never beat yet. A player so good that missing one shot normally spells defeat, a man known for running the table countless times, never even allowing his opponents a shot.

And after the coin toss, he won the break….

I had thought the tension and anxiety was high in the match I had just completed, but in this one it was so intense, I could taste it, and feel my mouth going dry…

My opponent, ran the balls, with one of his remaining, he made a mistake and missed the shot. I had three left, and with a combination of excitement, and anxiety, I approached the table, and eyed my remaining balls trying to figure a way to clean them up, and leave myself an easy 8 ball shot for the win.

Then it hit me, I saw and felt victory, and I executed my plan, almost flawlessly. As each ball fell, my team’s excitement grew, as did mine, until the sound of the 8 ball hitting the bottom of the pocket rang though the bar, followed immediately by a cacophony of wild screams, high fives, and triumphant roars.

For the moment, I savored victory, and my team rallied around me as I shook the hand of each member of the other team, with an honest and true ‘great game’ leaving from me. They took the loss hard, but I could tell, even they appreciated the level we had just competed at, win or lose, it was an awesome final 2 matches, and we both felt it.

I can understand and appreciate why people love sports, the adrenaline high is palpable and real.

I then went home and fell fast asleep, exhausted from battle.

It was a good day, and many more are to come.

- Bob