It's amazing how God sometimes nudges us and says "Hey, dont forget about me!!" It sounds like he may have been doing that a bit to you, Daniel. I dont believe you have to apologize for your beliefs or sounding preachy. You have a huge stage and a huge audience with immense popularity around the world. This could be one of the reasons God has blessed you with the talents you have. Who knows, Im sure you have probably already, with your faith and your message, touched many lives and led people to Christ without even knowing it. I believe actions speak louder than words and your actions speak very loudly for you, hence your amazing popularity. It sounds to me like you have righted the ship and 2007 WILL be a great year for you!!

God Bless

Ed

DN, its always important to recognize what we value most and to remember that this should be first priority in our lives. Often times in the "shuffle" of life what is most important to us can be lost in our problems, concerns, and even our accomplishments. It's great to know that you are making God first priority in your life as this will surely pay dividends that are of more significant worth than any poker tournament you could win or award you could receive.

It takes a man to recognize when he is deficient in an area, and I congratulate you on recognizing that. Maybe set some time aside every morning with a good devotional or even something like Rob Bell's DVD series which has helped me gain the right perspective on life lately. Finally, this verse in II Cor 4:16-18 always encourages me when I'm in a "rut":


"Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal."

Be encouraged and God Bless.

Wow....totally picked up on that you seemed down. Figured it was just all the traveling. No one is immune to that. Part of why I wrote in the Aussie blog that there was no way I could stay away from my wife/home for that long. All that flying, getting older, missing my wife, etc. As much as poker tour life seems enviable, that would not be for me.

I also applaud your religious candor Daniel. Let the flamers have their way if they will, but I doubt they will. I find it refreshing and inspiring.

As always, best to you, Lori and your family throughout '07.

Travel safe!

Probably feels good to get this off your chest, time to move on now and clear your mind. Regardless of others beliefs, they should respect yours. Your candor has been refreshing. gl the rest of '07.

</seriousness>

Now tell God it's OK to allow you to suckout once in a while, even if the decision is wrong.

Get some guys togther and start a small men's group.

I've been meeting with 4 other guys for about 10 months now. We take turns doing the study, and we pray for each other each day. We also call each other and keep each other accountable.

I love my wife and love praying with her etc, but I need a man's perspective to tell me why I am a bonehead sometimes. Plus I am forced every few weeks to find a section of Bible and study it so I can teach it to he others.

We also spent a few months and did the Purpose Driven Life. And we golf together, and we all smoke cigars.


Small men's group studies are the bomb.

I would imagine though that you would have a harder time finding 3 or 4 guys that can relate to you, and also understand what you have to deal with with media, etc.

Good luck

God is important to me. Without God, I am nothing.My life is better when I make God the center of it. When I don't, regardless of any tournament success or accolades, I just can't be happy unless I feel like I'm at a good place with God. Without a close, personal relationship with God, happiness would be impossible.
I just rearranged your lines and put them together. You should put those words in a frame and hang them in your room and have a copy of it in your wallet where you can see it everyday.You can rearrange them the way you like it or add a few more lines to it.
Make that your Life's 101.
You are obviously on the right track; You know what's wrong, and you know exactly what to do to fix it.
I don't believe in a god of religion myself, but that what works for me and I couldn't be happier any other way and you should do what works for you.

First off DN I must say we are lucky to be able to read your thought and the fact you felt the need to post that showes how you carel. I am personally not religious but can read what you said and can take away alot from it. I think alot of us just think of you as a poker player and want you to go make countless final tables but we dont realize there is much more to the person.
Thanks for taking the time to post this and we are lucky to be able to read and then use what u say for our own ideas on thoes topics.
Thanks again
best of luck in 07 and the future.

Great Blog D. Without God in my life, I dont know where I would be. We all forget sometimes how important the Lord is in our lives and it is easy with all of distractions in this world to put God on the backburner. But remember, God is always there for us and recognizing the fact you are missing your relationship with God will only make you a better person.

God Bless & Good Luck in Tunica.

Daniel,

I play a weekly game with a bunch of great Christian guys...we respect you, your heart, and desire to pursue God "when the chips are down". We'd like to commit to pray for you - if that's cool with you...just let us know (somehow) how things are going and what we can do to encourage you.

Proverbs 27:17, "Iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another."

Peace to you,


Brian Beatty
Colo Springs, CO
brian@kaizencreative.com

Daniel,

Though I am a Buddhist, I admire your courage to admit your faults and your faith in God. One thing I picked up on was the conversations you had with friends and the openness about yours and their faith even though there was a difference in opinion. That's a rare thing. I moderate an inter-faith message board and it can get really heated, but at the end of the day, we have to resolve to respect each other's views. I'm glad you are also an open-minded person.

Keep your chin up buddy!

I support you.

Peace...

rahula

DN, as a first timer poster (and I hope you read this), every human being on this planet has the right to believe in whatever they want (even though that right is does not exist openly for some). Perry and the guys you hang out with are class acts, ackowledging the differences we all have. To the point, you feel you've lost touch with your beliefs, could you consider you've lost touch with yourself? We all have moments in time where we feel we've lost something within our belief system, but look at your inner self first and the rest will come naturally based on your beliefs and the good person you are.

Expressing your feelings for Lori even as much as "a little" on this blog is who you may be missing more, and it's natural to feel down about it especially while being so far away. My daughter is considering moving to Perth, AU with an Australian and move sometime in April of this year. It can be depressing at times knowing how often we'll get to see her in the future, but looking witihin our heart at the love we have for her and knowing she will be safe gets us through it (sometimes even with a little prayer).

When you get back to Vegas, soak in the environment you've become accustom to and see how it will lift your spirits. The distractions you dealt with in AU will continue, but eventually will go away once you are able to deal with "this is who I am". Most of us have had your kind of emotional swing that has made our "game time" decisions a bad one. Just because you are near the top of your profession doesn't exempt you from your own feelings.

I look forward to following you in Tunica and seeing you climb the leader board.
Peace.

hopefully Daniel's time at home will help him feel better because this blog is completley different than his wpt bellagio blog

You make some huge points. Having an accountability "partner/buddy" etc really does make a difference and it doesn't have to be all stuffy and proper.

Excellent blog....very open and honest.
You struck a chord with me because I have been feeling very much the same as you lately.
Like you, I need to re-assess my priorities because I know they aren't right.

You've at least gotten me to think about this seriously, even though I know I should have before.
No time like the present to try and set things right.

Good luck in your pursuit Daniel....and thanks for the wake-up call!

Daniel,

I admire the courage it takes to post this kind of blog for everyone in the world to see. It's not easy to do when you're a small-time blogger with a limited number of readers. I can't imagine doing it with the number of readers your blog gets. It's just another reason that I admire you and your play. Good luck, God bless, and know that prayers are coming your way.

Katelyn

It takes two large ones to type up a blog like that and post it online, and I can only respect you more for it. I would wish you good luck, but that assumes that there is luck involved in what you described. Keep it real DN.

thanks for the blog man. It too made me realize that ive been caught up in other bs, that God got lost in the shuffle of other selfish needs and goals.

Thanks Daniel!

This was a very insightful and personal relection from Daniel. I hope you find the right balance in your life and this blog is hopefully a positive step forward. Reading about all the gambling and money being tossed around it would be very easy to get eaten up by that lifestyle. Glad to read you have a solid and grounded perspective on the big picture.

I enjoyed the blog immensely Daniel.

I am not a "practicing" religious person, but that doesn't mean I don't have faith. And, I only wish I had people with whom I could share my feelings (other than my wife).

I applaud you for speaking your mind, because it is your life after all....and your blog. If you feel the need to vent, or share something about your life, so be it!!

Never let anyone question your motivation, or your right to share your feelings & thoughts with us.

Thank you again, and good luck from here on out.

Wow Daniel,
I cant describe how I feel about your recent posting on your blog cause it actually brought me to my knees. Not only for you, but for myself as I have lost sight of what is truly important in this life, the Lord Jesus Christ! This is my first post, but I will read your blog now as I have never in the past. I am not much of a blogger, or a forum junkie. I play a ton of poker (no where near your lvl of course) and struggle with guilt over it. But I think most of my struggles come from an inner battle over putting self before God. I do this quite frequently as I am a selfish individual that from time to time thinks he doesnt need God's help or guidance. I am also a perfectionist and when I am not doing things God's way get frustrated and tend to tail off. Your blog has brought me to my senses, so while you may think you are in the worst position you have ever been in as far as your relationship with the Lord, you helped a sinful, selfish man come back to the Lord. Your insight into your own life so mimicked thoughts that I have suppressed for so long that I almost couldnt finish reading it. It was very touching and personal to me, so just realize while you were trying to avoid sounding preachy, it preached to me and maybe just maybe I can get my rear end back on track.

Thanks for the great post and God Bless

P.S. I will be praying for you as I hope you will for me

Babkanoosh (screen name on Pokerstarz)

I grew up with a Catholic father and a born-again Baptist mother, and am agnostic, but I still respect the beliefs of anyone who chooses to believe in God so long as they respect mine, themselves and others.

You have my support, Daniel. Remember that strength must eventually come from within. Soul search for as long as you need to, and find it.

Daniel,

Reading through these posts you should feel an immense pleasure in what you wrote in your last blog and how many people have responded and been touched by it. As a female, I was smiling when you admitted that you missed your wife! I know you keep your marriage more private, but it is good to see that even famous people need others in their lives to keep them balanced and happy. I read your blog as often as you update it and haven't ever felt a need to post about it, but this one was different and really touched a chord in me, so thank you for being vulnerable enough to write those words.

We all need to center ourselves once in a while and getting back to basics and beliefs are good ways to focus. You sounded like you thought your resolutions were silly because you didn't include God. I think any positive actions we make in our lives are good for the soul and you shouldn't berate yourself. Just keep on thinking about more that you can do and accomplish spiritually and in all areas of your life and you will be rewarded in many ways. God wants us all to be the best people we can be and that means we have to continually try to improve in everything we do...even poker or golf! I wish you well and pray for you to find the balance you are striving for.

And no matter what city you find yourself in, just remember this: If your feet hit the floor in the morning it's a great day!

Annette

Daniel,

Nice blog,first of all. Most people that have been replying have talked about god, which iam NOT talk about lol. God is personal and that is not what got me to reply to this. You seem a really depressed while right the blog. I just wanted to comment on your home life. You just got married a couple of months ago, and had a ton of time off before starting poker again. Now iam not hear to flame you on your life, but maybe you should quit for a while if you really think you need that time. But if you seriouly need the cash or do not fell like taking time off you GOT to get your head around. As all poker players do we fall into rut's. Go hang out with mikey for awhile iam sure he will make get you back in your fullcontact hat ready to kill the tournments. Peace man and good luck fixing your slef.

chris

I just feel there is no proof of a god so there is noway I will ever comit to any religion. It just seems to me that people use religion as a crutch for when things are going bad. They should gain support from friends and family and not some higher power that very well might not exist.

Religion is the opium of the masses.
Karl Marx

Daniel,

God works in mysterious ways, and in my procrastination of doing my daily devotional I decided that I would check out your blog today. Well what do you know, there's God speaking through you to me. I really commend you and encourage you on your quest toward a better relationship with God, as I am sure you will find out the rest should just fall in place.

I have been a long time avid reader of your blog and a very seldom poster on fullcontactpoker.com. The only post I have ever made here of any significance was also on the religious theme, it was in regards to my girlfriend's disapproval with my poker playing. I think this is the link: http://www.fullcontactpoker.com/poker-foru...;hl=bob1preston . Fellow Christian poker player's opinion's especially yours both on the forum and through email were especially encouraging. Although I still am I student, I still play a lot of poker, and my girlfriend is now very approving and now even supportive of my playing thanks to forum's clarify that poker is not a sin.

I am somewhat involved in the PocketFives.com community that most of you are familiar with, but in a much similar role to my fullcontactpoker.com role as an observer/reader. However, I also prompted the above post to the PocketFives.com and found a much more secular and therefore much less Biblically educated community. After some days, I felt that God was telling me to be more than a witness and I "jammed religion down their throats" as you say. Quickly found out, as it seems you already know, that that is the wrong way to go about it. However, God has placed you, a Christian, at the center of the poker world, a world, which from an outsider's view at best seems very secular and often times (incorrectly) has very sinful connotations. God has of course asked you to be a witness, but have an open heart to opportunities to introduce others to Christ.

Much of what has been offered as suggestions here are absolutely great ideas in order to help you solidify a relationship with God including a men's small group and also a daily devotional. Another idea is that of a Bible Blog, naturally this in all likeliness would be your own private blog of prayer and reflection as a means to promote your spiritual growth. I have just started in this endeavor because of the positive impact that my poker blog had on my poker game. Just as my poker blog offered me a place to reflect and record my thoughts on poker in an attempt to improve my game and to learn more about the game, a religious blog can have the same effect, but with much more lucrative rewards. The last thing that I'll suggest is listening to worship music, I usually listen to my iPod on shuffle whenever I play poker and roughly 1 out of 20 songs is a worship song. Trust me those songs always seem to have the best timing and remind you of what's really important. Not sure about your music taste, but my favorites include Casting Crowns, Michael W. Smith, and the David Crowder Band. Favorite song right now hands down is "Shackles" by Mary Mary, great lyrics and a great beat.

Good luck in your journey and God bless.

-Bob Preston

Daniel,
I love to read your blogs when you talk about what is real and important in life. It takes a lot of courage in this day and time to first admit to being Christian and second to admit that life itself is dependent on a close personal relationship with God. You worry about sounding preachy and I'm sure some people will take it that way. The Bible says to expect that I will be persecuted for my belief. I know that has been true at times in my life but I owe it to God to put myself out there with my belief and my dependence anyway.
I can only tell you that I'm both happy and sad for you right now. I realize that probably sounds strange. I'm sad because you are depressed and lonely but most of all I'm happy because it has brought you to a point of realization and givin you a desire to share your true needs. I think this is just the beginning of happier times for you. "With God all things are possible." "I can do anything through Christ Jesus who strengthens me."
You may win or you may lose at poker. I realize this is what you do for a living and I don't mean to trivialize it. I just know that if God is first in my life - no matter what happens - I will be okay. I have the source of all strength and comfort when my relationship with God is strong and vibrant.
I could identify so strongly with the things you said. I also find that the person I need the most and know can sustain me-God-is the first person I let go of when I start to feel okay. It's in my brokeness and my frailities that I get back on my knees and renew my faith and belief. Your confession makes me look hard at my priorities and do some rearranging too. I'm grateful to you for that. I too am useless without God.
I'm grateful for your courage in declaring your need and your dependence. I pray for contentment to flood into your life from above.
Please take good care of yourself and please keep writing what's in your heart. Some of us are desperate to hear it and feel the warmth and depth in your sharing.

Daniel,

Thanks for pushing the send button on this post. I needed to read/hear it. I'm hoping to grow closer to him in 2007.

Take care and God bless.

"God is important to me. My life is better when I make God the center of it. When I don't, regardless of any tournament success or accolades, I just can't be happy unless I feel like I'm at a good place with God."

in the end, that's it. if your life is better with God, who is anyone to tell u different?

if you believe in god he will be with you always.Dont worry about those who do not believe.I think everyone battles depression.Probably too much of one thing is bad for you.EVERYONE FEELS ALONE AT one time or another.remember to have fun.How was the journey of getting to where you are now.when is it enough.If you had all the titles and money in the world would it be better or worse.Keep the faith ,pray for help and trust in him.Those who do not blieve will eventually meet him in the end.as long as he is in your heart .Good luck

As I said in a post about yesterday's blog -- I much prefer the blog when it is real and talks honestly about both the ups and downs of life than when it is filled with self-promotional bulls***.

While today's blog is not a a "happy" one, it continues the real and honest communication Daniel has with the FCP regulars. That's why many of us come here -- and that's why many of us respect Daniel. Like the best writers, he doesn't shy away from the difficult issues. He has a good heart as well as a good mind and we are lucky in that he chooses to share a little of himself with us -- even the parts that get depressed and off-track sometimes.

As a nurse, I tend to look at things as being either healthy or not healthy. Today's blog seemed very healthy to me. The patient seems to have turned the corner and is starting to recover. He has a good combination of inner strength, a loving family, a network of caring friends, and a large supportive community of well-wishers on FCP who is willing to listen 24/7. It will take a while ... but he will be spiritually stronger in the long run. The healing process is also one of growth and enrichment. I look forward to seeing where this leads Daniel and suspect that many of us will grow and enrich our lives along with him.

Once again ....your heartfelt humility and openess are greatly appreciated! We all need to take a stop and reflect on what is truly important in this thing called "Life". Thanks for stepping out.

DN, Im glad you pressed "send" after all. Great post, it made me write my first forum post ever!

I don't belivede in God and probably never will, but I don't think writing about what's important in your life is preaching anyway.
Though none of us is leading a life like yours I think your issues are common but nevertheless serious.
Working out, eating right, getting enough sleep and good bankroll management works for me... usually
But lately my game has been a bit weak, even though I knew what I had to do (bet river/check/fold/push/stop playing) I consistently made the wrong decision.
It got me thinking. What am I doing with my life? Im playing poker and studying. Why? To make a lot of money. What do I need the money for? Living life without worries about needing money.
But all I do is think about making more money... and that struck me! My sole purpose of life right now is to make money, that made me feel sick! seriously!
What I really wanted to do was just to be happy and spending time with my friends and family makes me happy, not being able to buy a new fancy car.
Sure you need money and sure you it's nice to have nice stuff, but my point is don't forget your goal! It sounds to me like you partly forgot what was important. Ask yourself why your 2007 goal is to be the best poker player ever? It's not like you need the money or the fame. A few years back I used to play a lot of computergames and I was always the best at whatever I played, but I quit trying to be nr.1 because I realised that it took up all my time and it never really made me feel true happiness. Instead I started fishing with a good friend, reading good books and it made me feel much better.
Somehow I lost track of what I learned as a kid and started playing poker only to win money and studying to make even more. I am quite sure that's what made me a much worse player, I startede playing against the odds because I really didn't care I just needed to win the pot to feel better. But once I changed my goal from "winning" back to "being happy, having fun and being able to look back with pride" my game turned around as well.

Stay focused on what's really important to you, what makes you happy and saticfied with your life and I'm sure your game will be back to normal in no time!

Do you know what is really sad? ....
The number of people who seem to think that Daniel is just a little down because he made a few poker mistakes. Now that's sad -- and dense, very dense.

Daniel, I've often wondered if poker conflicts with belief and devotion to God. The game itself is so cutthroat, which is like any other game or sport, I suppose. But the difference with poker is that people can develop terrible gambling problems and ruin their lives. The object is to take another person's money -- regardless of the problems in their lives. Can god and gambling be reconciled?

At any rate, I liked your blog. Very thoughtful. I hope you find what you're looking for.

Good point to bring up. That also came to my mind when reading the blog entry, the inherent conflict between the lessons of love, understanding and compassion in religion and the Bible... and the cutthroat approach that is necessary to succeed in poker.

If I absolutely had to make a point either way, I'd say anyone who plays knows what the score is, how people are going to play, and how they will need to play to win. I don't think anyone worth their salt would hold it against Daniel as a person if, as a player, he went for the jugular and busted them. Players understand what the game is about, and that people aren't necessarily that cutthroat once they step away from the table.

Im an atheist, but I believe that whatever helps you to become a better person (as long as that does'nt involve bringing someone else down) is good for you. So it seems like being a christian helps you realize when you are not being the kind of guy you would like. I go to a christian school and I see people who are big hipocrites and use religion for whatever purpose they see fit, and really not being true to what religion should be which is bringing people together and making them better people.

And it seems like a lot of stuff that has gone around you lately and some of your actions you have seemed a little eager to get into arguments criticizing other players and being quick to jump at anyone that says anything about you. I have a serious girlfriend who I live far away from when I'm in school and I know that is very stressful also. What I'm trying to say is the self inflection is good, do whatever you can to get your head in the right place, and don't worry about what people say or what other people do. Be happy with who you are and where you are at, don't always try and impress people or look to prove yourself as you really are a good person and of course a great poker player. Be yourself and be content for having a lovely family (in Tdot and vegas) and enjoy Mushu Lori and your mom everyday as you never know what the future will hold.



peace and best wishes

Sorry to be the "Devil's Advocate", but I am very spiritual, but not real religious. I don't think Daniel is missing God, he is missing his comfort zone.

Mom is not there, Lori is not there, Mushu is not there. Daniel is still in touch with God, but he is out of his zone. I am sure DN and GOD still speak, but whenever DN looks for any other "secirity blanket" it is gone. I spent 11 years in the Navy, almost died twice, but God was ALWAYS there. I missed my Mom, Wife, and brothers & sisters, but never doubted God being there.

Daniel,
I hope you get a chance to read this. I appreciate what you wrote in your Blog about your relationship to God. You are in my prayers.

I'm also glad you mentioned your wife in the Blog.

I wish all the best for you, Lori, your mom and your dog.

Bruce

Wow Daniel, that blog came out of left field man! Totally unexpected.....from the "looks" of things, it seemed like you were on top of the world, getting ready to destroy all poker players in your path in 2007. I guess you are in fact human. Anyway, it was a great read, and really hit home for a lot of readers I'm sure (me included).

On a side note, why do I get this feeling like DNs going to take down Tunica......

All the best in 2007!

Morpheus

"Without God..." you're a human being! Here it is the 21st century and people are still believing (with blind faith) in ancient folklore and mythology! Guess what? We now know that the sun doesn't revolve around the earth. We know that volcanoes are not "fires brought up from the ground by god to punish someone". We know that leprosy is not cause by demonic possesion ("god" doesn't). etc. etc. etc. etc.

Enlightenment is a GOOD thing. It's time for people to stop blaming natural phenomena on superstition. It's time for people to grow up and come to grips with basic science. It's time for people to stop acting like ancient folks who thought that lightening was a light sent down by god. etc. etc.

Good grief people. Grow up and get real.

Virtually every post in this thread was a positive one. There wasn't an aggressive tone about any of them, whether the poster was a believer or an atheist. Yours is very different. I don't even want to have the "Does God exist" debate, but honestly, re-read what you wrote and compare it to the posts made by others. There is hate and anger in your words. I know, because I sometimes write that way as well.

Telling grown men who have a faith to, "Grow up and get real," is rather condesending don't you think? Hey, you might be right, but you don't help your cause one bit by talking to people that way.

How many times has a traveller been far from home and felt that life isn't all it should be. I've been at my lowest points in situations like that. There's a reason that the Gideon Society puts all those free Bibles in hotel rooms. People start looking for help when they're feeling low.

Some people turn to the Bible. Some order a hooker and some blow and let that carry their blues away. Others just go to the bar and have a few drinks. Some do all of the above (usually in reverse order).

Me, I just ride it out until I get home. I always feel better when I get home -- Daniel will too.

Hey, I usually just read your blog and try and watch you playing Poker as much as possible, but your latest post has inspired me to post something,

I am from England, and the way in which we treat religion is so unbelievably different to America. For instance, our politicians never really mention God, their faith is deemed to be private and irrelevant to whether or not they will do a good job. Religion isnt in the fabric of our society as it once was, and as it is now in America. I just wanted to point that out as a background to my views, I am not saying whether that is a good or bad thing, its just the way it is.

I went to Catholic primary school, a Catholic Secondary school and a Catholic sixth form (basically I was in Catholic run education from 6 until I was 18 and went Uni). However, I am an atheist, and so are my parents. I went to Catholic education because even though I dont believe in God in the same way, and neither do my parents, I believe in living by a code, by a set of common sense rules. The only difference between myself and any person with faith is the belief in what happens to us after we die, and as we are alive right now, why argue about that?

My point is, and I am sure you know this Daniel, is that those without faith do not think those with faith should grow up. During my years in secondary school I would have long debates with people about "how could you believe this, your intelligent!", looking back on it now it was childish and offensive. There are times I wish I COULD have faith, that I could believe that someone was looking out for me, but in a strange way it is the same struggle that Daniel is having, but in reverse.

I am not entirely sure what I am trying to say, I just felt an urge that I had to make a comment. Some might say that it was God who inspired me to write, and maybe it was. Maybe that sub-concious part of us all, that part that KNOWS when we are thinking bad things and feels guilty, that part that KNOWS you should spen more time with your family, maybe that part of us is God. Its just a difference between externalising and internalising that force.

Anyway, I saw lots of people who had faith reply in a friendly, helpful, uplifting manner, and the one "non-believer" came across as childish, hateful and angry. I just wanted to get across that we arent all like that. That even if we dont believe in God our hearts can still be filled with love, kindess and compassion for a fellow man.

Good Luck Daniel, may you find the help you need...

K

Daniel:

It's sounding to me like you're at HALFTIME in your life. Perhaps you're ready to enter your "second half" of life where you're more concerned about SIGNIFICANCE than SUCCESS. In your "first half", you were completely driven for success - achieving the highest levels in poker and other things.

Now it sounds like you're ready to focus on SIGNIFICANCE - not that success isn't important anymore, just that you want more out of your life. There is an awesome book called "Halftime" - it's a great book that I just finished reading that talks about some of these things. It helped me get some real goals on paper for my "2nd half" and to create a personal mission statement.

I read this book in conjunction w/ a men's group from my church. It sounds like you're at the same place in life as me. This book will encourage you greatly AND it's an easy read. You can probably get through it in a few hours.

I'm proud of you bro!

Jeff

Nice blog Daniel,

I never post but read your blog quite often. Just in case you don't know your faith has been obvious to many of us. It's great that you're at a point in your life where getting closer is important. Read his word and do what it says. Get better at following every year.


Here's a link to a website that has helped me go to the next level in my spiritual life. www.wayofthemaster.com

Do you have a PO Box because I would like to send you some really good uplifting DVDs.

DN, guess i can't call you a hypocrite for being lax in using your position to glorify god anymore. doesn't make your belief any less delusional, but i guess it does make it more respectable

I was also very encouraged to read your blog and see that you are refocusing on God and making him your top priority again. Your openness is something that is pretty rare in today's world, and to know that a fellow believer is struggling, but that with God's help he is able to get back on track is really encouraging to me, as when I stuggle it is nice to know that God can be there for me as he was for others. I'm glad to hear that you are doing better, and I wish you all the best for the rest of this year.

Really great blog, and alot of great responses with useful information that I think is really helpful. When I first started in my business I attended a coaching session, and one thing I got out of it that has stuck with me all these years was to "stick to your knitting", to stick to what you know, get back inside your self and do what you know best. This seems to help me at times when life gets to hectic or to crazy, when I need to get back to basics. If re-focusing on god will help you get to that place, get going!!! and stick to your knitting, Good luck and really great blog. Thank you for sharing.

when you lose faith in everything you are pretty much alone in this world which will leave you very jaded. Its not only about looking at positives its also about appreciating the positives you have in life, and giving thanks.

Read these lyrics by John Lennon this is a man that had a life many aspire to have.






This is no way to continue life as it breeds more hatred and no spirituality, you don't always need to see to believe sometimes you must feel in within.

sorry to interrupt the religious feel-good fest, but that is just asinine emotionalistic nonsense. lack of faith-based belief in one's life does not intrinsically breed hatred any more than having faith does. in fact it's not hard to make a strong case that faith has historically bred MUCH more hatred than neutral objectivity has.