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The Best Parents Possible
Metaphysical Poker and Life by Charlie Shoten filed under Philosophy on 2006-01-19 [Originally appeared in the January 9, 2006 issue of Poker Player]

Should my kid become a professional poker player?

IMAGINE LOVING PARENTS who hold no judgments, resentments, anger, jealousy, frustration, depression, resignations, expectations, etc.; whose memories, thoughts, ideas and beliefs that create stress are banned from their being; who are open vessels with clear, confide nt, and compassionate outlooks on life.

I hope the meaning and significance of this is clear. Even more important is the belief that we can work towa rds this goal and make meaningful progress in this direction.

Thought Terrorists offer us nothing of value. They do not grow wheat, write books or invent anything important for the human race. They just feed off those who create the sustenance of human life. If we recognize what and where they are and the damage they do to our lives, we can notice them and let go of them.

They cannot exist without our supporting, nurturing and holding onto them. Take a new look at your old beliefs. What I am proposing has always seemed difficult and impossible to accomplish because we have never had my Ten Commitments to follow and use as a tool to help us let go of our TT.

“Either you stay in the shallow end of the pool or you go in the ocean.” -Christopher Reeves

These Commitments can revolutionize how we handle our TT, which we created as an antidote to heal the emotional wounds we hold onto from when we were hurt or abused in our past. We created our TT and we can let go of them.

TT reside within each of us and they hold only a fierce threat with no substance. For me personally, the game is over. I notice them, focus my intentions and choose to let go of them. How much simpler can it get? I will repeat it over and over again because it is the most important exer- ise I can do for myself and for the good of my family.

How can I ever be bored again when I still have TT to notice and let go of? Do you think it is more interesting, fun or important to watch television for hours a day? Wake up and take your life back. If you are not becoming less of what you are not (letting go of TT), you are not being who you really are, meaning something else is living and controlling your life. You may have sensed, like I have ever since I can remember, that you were more of what you were NOT than who you were.

“God hath given you one face and you make yourself another” -William Shakespeare

“What you make you can undo and a golden ray of sunlight be thrust upon you” -Charlie Shoten

Each TT that you hold onto makes you that much more of what you are not. It is a living agony to know that and to try with all your heart to change it, but not know how and to be left all alone with no tools to free yourself from them.

Looking back before my Ten Commitments, all the efforts I made to free myself only created more TT. I don’t regret the lost opportunities of the first 65 years of my life because I use my Ten Commitments 24/7 to help me keep letting go of my TT and keep me present. Why would anyone want to harbor harmful thoughts when it is so simple and easy to let them go? My Commitments are a mantra that repeats with little effort even when I sleep. Memorize my Ten Commitments and put them in the forefront of your mind. And as your own mind control, use this mantra to help you let go of all hurtful memories, thoughts, ideas and beliefs.

“He who joyfully marches in rank and file has already earned my contempt. He has been given a large brain by mistake, since for him the spinal cord would suffice.” -Albert Einstein

“You are referring to the goose step march of the Nazi soldiers, Albert. I agree. It takes a MOTHER and FATHER to raise a child, NOT A VILLAGE! -Charlie Shoten

If you do not let go of your TT, you will pass them onto your children. TT are contagious and will infect all your relationships like a virus. They hurt you, your children and your poker game. Once you let go of your TT, you will see your children in a new way and you will be highly motivated to help protect your children from their Thought Terrorists.

Once parents focus on noticing and letting go of their TT, they will be able to help their children focus, notice and let go of them . Teaching children to do this will be the best present they give them. Imagine a family where everyone at the dinner table has a joyous mindset and a radiant contagious smile. Why not reach for it? LET GO OF YOUR TT!

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