Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Subscribe: RSS
Gambling’s not for everyone. For me, I dropped $20 into a slot machine and before I knew it, I had lost every penny on me and was shuffling out of the casino looking and feeling like an ashamed addict.
My guest this week, comedian Mike Gaffney can relate. Whenever he loses at the casino, he tries to convince himself that the money he lost was simply disposable money – until it’s actually disposed of, then he realizes how precious those funds really were.
I wish that it didn’t take something like losing all my money and dignity at a casino for me to turn to God. Why do I find it so difficult to make a habit of walking consistently with Him when life is good?
Instead, every morning, I get on my knees and turn my will over to the care of God. Then I get up and completely take back control. (What’s wrong with me??)
Now, my friend, Mike has to surrender control on a constant basis, not only to God but also as a single dad.
Luckily, his kids bring him such joy and fulfillment, it’s easy for him to remain humble.
Even more humbling was his audition for Last Comic Standing a few years back. He auditioned in Canada, took the stage and was abruptly cut off and sent packing after a mere 45 seconds. That nine hour drive back was one of Mike’s lowest of lows. To cope, Mike turned to his loved ones, got on the phone and talked their ears off. If he were to remain alone with his own thoughts, he wouldn’t have made it home.
As my mentor has impressed upon me, “A problem shared is a problem halved and a joy shared is a joy doubled.”
It’s this type of “overcome mindset” that is helping Mike fly out to L.A. and audition again for Last Comic Standing, five years after that long ride home.
You can hear more from Mike at www.MikeGaffneyLive.com