Would have I been a betting man if it wasn’t for my Dad?
I honestly don’t know. Perhaps I wouldn’t have even given it a thought. It’s possible. You may be thinking it would have been a blessing if I had side stepped the whole subject.
I don’t regret it for a moment. It has been a blessing.
Gambling can mean many different things to many different people.
It’s made me a living, built knowledge and allows me future ambition.
In truth, it’s a hobby which turned into a business. My Dad was a businessmen and motor mechanic. To be fair, it was hard work. I am sure if he could have gotten by, as I do now, his life would have been much more pleasurable. Every winter, he used to work in a freezing cold garage. There was no fun about. He deserved so much better but sadly, like so many, he was stuck in a rut, and there wasn’t any quick way to change.
Dad passed away at the age of 62. A good, kind, wonderful and generous man. He deserved so much more. If I could go back in time I would have said stay at home, potter about, and forget about the crap. It was one hard slog. If you are reading this and want to change your life because it’s not what you want now or in the future, follow your passion and look to change.
I have no idea if my Dad’s father was a gambler. It wouldn’t surprise me because I do believe these things are generational. It’s like the doctor, vet or lecturer. It’s in the blood. Nature and nurture.
For some, to be introduced to gambling from a young age is possibly a curse.
With opportunity comes responsibility. Gambling is a tricky subject matter. You don’t know what you are dealing with until you get there. It can be a rude awakening. It can be a problem.
No one wants to fall victim of being an addict.
My Dad wasn’t a big bettor. He liked to go for speculative priced selections in an each-way Yankee. For those who know about their bets it is 11 bets, doubles, trebles and accumulator. It used to be a long time between drinks but he had a few memorable winners. One time while on holiday at Great Yarmouth he won £800 from the bookmakers round the corner from the house we stayed. It was a lovely time. Dad just watched and smiled. He didn’t cheer but enjoyed the win in his way.
Gambling was a pastime for my father. It was a hope, chance opportunity to get luck and get away from the reality of life. In so many ways Dad’s life was good. But in so many ways it wasn’t what he wanted. I often feel I could have been a better son, done more, tried harder to change his life. Perhaps if I had he would still be here today.
Dad was a smoker all of his life. I know as long as I could remember he smoked cigars. His father was a smoker too and sadly passed away in his 50s. My mother still smokes to this day.
Perhaps of all the influences we have in life we need a little bit of luck, insight or wisdom to which crosses we bare. I don’t smoke, which is a blessing. I often wake up now and don’t feel so healthy at 52 so I can only imagine how I would feel if I had smoked for forty years. Perhaps I would be heading towards the last ten years of my life. It’s possible it would be even shorter. There is no saying that still won’t happen now. I think in life we often need a little bit of luck which helps us on our way. Most successful people make money because they have been mentored by someone who is successful themselves. They are living and breathing that environment which helps build knowledge and ambition. They have first-hand experience of what it takes to make money.
I don’t drink to excess, don’t smoke but I bet.
One out of three isn’t bad especially when that one thing has brought wisdom and wealth.
Work to learn. Follow your passion and make it your career. Perhaps, you will never work another day in your life.
Photo: Pixabay (free)
