I was recently surfing the web and a headline grabbed my attention: “Mike Sexton Recalled as Poker’s Great Ambassador.” The word “ambassador” piqued my interest.
Wow! How can someone earn the title of “ambassador” for an entire sport! For anything!
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Quick Research on the Poker Legend
I do not play poker, but I found myself desiring to learn more about Mike Sexton as a person. What was it about him that was so unique? Why did people like him so much? The other players even accepted losing a hand to him, as he was so humble in victory.
As I began to read more about his life, I discovered that everyone sincerely respected him.
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They exclaimed:
“Mike was always kind, humble, and generous to everyone.”
“Mike was inspirational to everyone he met. He shared optimism and looked at everything in a positive light.”
“Mike leaves a tremendous legacy for the poker world and his family.”
After reading a few of the articles, I wondered how a person could build this type of reputation. Think about it … the people who lost to him in poker still liked him! He had plenty of reasons to be arrogant and greedy. As his life-long earnings approached $7M, he could drive the nicest cars, stay at the finest places, and dine at the fanciest restaurants… not bad for a guy who took up Poker after deciding it was more profitable than a sales career.
Poker Career?
I’m obviously not writing this article to encourage you to join the World Poker Tour (WTP). In fact, I tend to be risk-averse when it comes to gambling. However, there’s something in this story that transcends the popular card game.
What makes a person likeable? What is the value of humility? How does one inspire others to perform at their best?
I began to search for the answers to these questions in his background story. Sexton attended The Ohio State University and earned a Public Recreation degree. He participated on the gymnastics team in college and served as a paratrooper in the United States Army.
Is it his back story that makes him a likable and humble person?
There has to be more to it. It seems to me that Sexton had a skill or ability that is not taught in books. It’s one that he embraced because it was part of him … part of his DNA. He truly desired to make people happy by paying attention to the little everyday moments: sharing a simple smile, a hearty laugh, or a needed hug.
Takeaways
Reading more about Sexton’s life has reminded me of something that often I forget to do; that is, to live in the moment. I find myself thinking too much about what tomorrow will bring, or what I will be doing a year or two from now.
Being future-minded is important, but there are times that I forget to focus on what I am doing right now, such as having a conversation with my son about his Government class, laughing with my wife about something funny that happened that morning, and feeling blessed that my health is strong.
Recently, I heard someone say that we need to “slow down to speed up.” This little phrase makes more sense to me now.
When I slow down and value what is here and now, I’m happier and can enjoy nuances of life, the small stuff. And when I’m happy about who I am, I’m more likely to show kindness, respect, humility, and love toward others.