Pool saved my life

jaybanthony

jaybanthony

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
While this may seem a little crazy I believe it to be absolutely true. I recently took some time away from the game, my life had been turned upside down. Ending a long term relationship, Job loss and fighting depression and anxiety just to name a few, each one of those alone is enough to tip one over the edge.

Throughout this whole ordeal I kept thinking about how much I loved the game and how much I missed it, Some would say it's just a game but not for me, for me it's as much a part of my life as anything else. There were many dark nights where my mind was playing tricks on me if you know what I mean. Nothing made sense, everything seemed ****ed(pardon my french)No job, no wife no money.

It's funny how when you're down in the dumps you almost seem to vanish off the face of the earth, no calls, no visits, nothing! Pool became my only comfort. The thought of playing again, the sound of balls being pocketed and the thrill of running racks filled me with hope, even when there was none.

I know that there are things in life far more significant than the game of Pool, for me, It was a reason to go on when I had no reason to. I had lost it all.....but not the game, my love for the game.....It saved my life.

"May you never take a single shot for granted"

Jay
http://mypooljourney.blogspot.com/
 
Good post, you are appealing to a group of people who have a close relationship to the game just like you described.

Good to see your pulling yourself out of the slump, maybe go into a business that has something to do with pool. :)

Carl
 
jaybanthony said:
While this may seem a little crazy I believe it to be absolutely true. I recently took some time away from the game, my life had been turned upside down. Ending a long term relationship, Job loss and fighting depression and anxiety just to name a few, each one of those alone is enough to tip one over the edge.

Throughout this whole ordeal I kept thinking about how much I loved the game and how much I missed it, Some would say it's just a game but not for me, for me it's as much a part of my life as anything else. There were many dark nights where my mind was playing tricks on me if you know what I mean. Nothing made sense, everything seemed ****ed(pardon my french)No job, no wife no money.

It's funny how when you're down in the dumps you almost seem to vanish off the face of the earth, no calls, no visits, nothing! Pool became my only comfort. The thought of playing again, the sound of balls being pocketed and the thrill of running racks filled me with hope, even when there was none.

I know that there are things in life far more significant than the game of Pool, for me, It was a reason to go on when I had no reason to. I had lost it all.....but not the game, my love for the game.....It saved my life.

"May you never take a single shot for granted"

Jay
http://mypooljourney.blogspot.com/
Click to expand...

Iam very happy to see that you are moving in the right direction in life again,wheather its is god or love or anything like pool,it is a must to get out of that house of deep depression,so that you can go out an enjoyed the simplest of things again that we all once took for granted!if you ever need some one to talk to about anything all u got to do is pm me,i love to talk,i was in that same house of depression not to long ago my self!and believe it or not when i first steped outside after about 2 months,first place i went to was my pool room! richie.
 
jay helfert said it best, go to any real pool room(not a kids joint) and spend 3-4 days there all day and your a regular, with lots of friends. Nobody asks any questions, your part of the pool room. I have done that 30 times in my life and he is right.
 
First, let me say I know what you mean. I have been thru some pretty dark periods of my life and being able to escape to the pool hall, was a outlet I was very thankful for. It wasn't always positive though... It was place I found comfort, but also the place I released my frustration. Going off.... slamming balls.

The thought of playing pool is what keeps me going these days. I am probably the most stressed I have ever been, for the longest time frame ever, and being able to hit balls for 2 hours, 3 times a week is keeping me from breaking down. Even the thought of playing, gives me extra hope. It can be described as a drug, I can't wait for my next fix. You think of the comfort you will feel, the short period where life is good for those 2 hours and there is no stress, no worries. I hear ya brother!:D

Now on a different note, I will paste what I wrote about someone else's blog they just started at the same site. I don't know if that is the default font or what.. but I'll have to wait until you change it before I read it.:) Also, while your balls are a cool background, the images are so strong and overpowering, that it's hard to concentrate on the small boxed area of text. You may want to soften that pic up some.

Here is what I wrote to someone else this morning.

Please take this as constructive criticism meant to make your site more enjoyable and easy on the eyes.

I would like to read it, but I can't until you lose the white font on black background. My eyes feel like they're bleeding

Please experiment with some different colors that are my subtle.

Here's a article on why white on black is a big no no. Especially post 3, where he describes what I see. A "blob".

http://ux.stackexchange.com/questions/551/white-font-on-black-background/555#555

Good Luck!!!
 
Last edited:
A friend of mine is a very successful business man and pool player. In a low period of my life, he taught me that a man need to feel sense of accomplishment and self worth. This is an important human need we all share.

The mental process of solving the problems of a rack can be very satisfying and challenging. Pool might be that small escape you needed to feel like you are accomplishing something. I'm not a physiologist, but I believe this process itself as well as the social network of other players can help you feel good.

Although I disagree with the suggestion to find work in the pool industry because it is a very tough industry to make any money at and it might destroy your love for the game simply by association. I do suggest applying the same principles of problem solving to your career. This will make you feel better too. Especially when you start receiving job offers, interviews, call backs etc. The major difference job hunting and playing pool is you will receive immediate feed back from playing pool. Be patient and steadfast with the career.

Depression can be paralyzingly brutal. Small doses of self-accomplishment can do wonders for the self-esteem. Realize that it is a long road and long process. Patients is a virtue. Good luck with your journey.
 
I feel your pain. While not in the same place you've been, I share some of those issues, with the potential for more. Just getting to go shoot definitely helps me get through the days, sometimes.

Hoping for the best for you! (And me, too... :p )
 
jaybanthony said:
While this may seem a little crazy I believe it to be absolutely true. I recently took some time away from the game, my life had been turned upside down. Ending a long term relationship, Job loss and fighting depression and anxiety just to name a few, each one of those alone is enough to tip one over the edge.

Throughout this whole ordeal I kept thinking about how much I loved the game and how much I missed it, Some would say it's just a game but not for me, for me it's as much a part of my life as anything else. There were many dark nights where my mind was playing tricks on me if you know what I mean. Nothing made sense, everything seemed ****ed(pardon my french)No job, no wife no money.

It's funny how when you're down in the dumps you almost seem to vanish off the face of the earth, no calls, no visits, nothing! Pool became my only comfort. The thought of playing again, the sound of balls being pocketed and the thrill of running racks filled me with hope, even when there was none.

I know that there are things in life far more significant than the game of Pool, for me, It was a reason to go on when I had no reason to. I had lost it all.....but not the game, my love for the game.....It saved my life.

"May you never take a single shot for granted"

Jay
http://mypooljourney.blogspot.com/
Click to expand...

Thanks for sharing and the very best to you! For me, pool is an act of walking meditation.
 
amazing how small the world really is and sometimes you think you have it worse than anyone....i am presently going thru the worst period of my life....my wife has a disease where she can't walk anymore, it will get worse and we have no real life like before (fun adventure going out etc)..........my income has stopped and i am an old guy.....the stress at times is more than overwhelming...i do, however, go to the pool hall daily if possible and get in about 2 hours/day....concentrating only on "making the ball". it certainly helps and i do not know what i would do if i had no access to a table! let's all hang in there! how does it go? "when it is the darkest hour.........."
 
The love of pool got me off my dead ass after three strokes and two heart attacks. I bought a table and rehabed myself back pretty good for the shape I was in. The only reason doctors and rehab centers don't tell you how good playing pool is to rehab from strokes, knee and hip surgery, some back surgery's, and many more rehabable injuries is because they can't make a buck on it. Pool is also great to keep you active and helps depression and other mental issues. I know as a rehab nurse helping others and for myself. Johnnyt
 
The last time I was in the hospital my Doctor informed me that I would never be able to play the piano again. I was devastated. Considering the fact that I never could play the piano in the first place it was especially difficult. But, I digress.
Diversions are always welcome in times of unwelcomed changes. :)
 
Glad to hear all is not lost and there is a path for you through the darkness. Many are not this fortunate and wither away. Keep moving forward, life's quite an adventure with no lack of obstacles to continuously overcome. What doesn't kill you makes you stronger...or so I hear.
:p
 
jaybanthony said:
While this may seem a little crazy I believe it to be absolutely true. I recently took some time away from the game, my life had been turned upside down. Ending a long term relationship, Job loss and fighting depression and anxiety just to name a few, each one of those alone is enough to tip one over the edge.

Throughout this whole ordeal I kept thinking about how much I loved the game and how much I missed it, Some would say it's just a game but not for me, for me it's as much a part of my life as anything else. There were many dark nights where my mind was playing tricks on me if you know what I mean. Nothing made sense, everything seemed ****ed(pardon my french)No job, no wife no money.

It's funny how when you're down in the dumps you almost seem to vanish off the face of the earth, no calls, no visits, nothing! Pool became my only comfort. The thought of playing again, the sound of balls being pocketed and the thrill of running racks filled me with hope, even when there was none.

I know that there are things in life far more significant than the game of Pool, for me, It was a reason to go on when I had no reason to. I had lost it all.....but not the game, my love for the game.....It saved my life.

"May you never take a single shot for granted"

Jay
http://mypooljourney.blogspot.com/
Click to expand...

Pool ''is'' life......................your fortunate, like many of us that have realized this as we live our lives. Your on your way. Musicians/cardplayers/Poolplayers are in the same boat, actually we're all in the same boat, just different ones.
Everything in life parallels everything else in life, pool just happens to have more light on the subject at all times. Robroy is a good example of where sacrifice and hard work can take you.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top