Mahjong night

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Mahjong Night… so much more than gaming!

I had such a fun night teaching lessons. My beginner class is really starting to pick it up, and then came my Level 2 class, where the players are moving at a faster pace, working on strategies and becoming more confident with every game. When I jumped in to play a couple of games with them, I was so pleased to see just how well they were playing, and how quickly they were thinking!

My good friend Jen has taken all of my classes and continues to join in each week, and it shows! She walked in wearing a new Mahjong T-shirt, carrying an identical one for me that her daughter had bought for each of us. I’d be almost embarrassed to say how many Mahjong shirts I now own… almost!  

After class, Jen followed me home for a glass of wine and some much-needed girl talk. It’s amazing how much you can resolve in a kitchen with a good friend, a glass of wine and absolutely no judgment. We hashed out everything that had been troubling us, gave each other feedback, advice and a few different perspectives, and somehow had so much to talk about that, before we knew it, it was after 11 p.m., way past my bedtime!

But important girl talks are always worth staying up for. In fact, they’re probably better than any therapy we could pay for. Sometimes you just need someone who knows you, listens to you, tells you the truth when you need to hear it and reminds you that whatever you're worrying about probably isn't quite as overwhelming as it seems in your own head....and if it is, at least you've got a friend to help handle the load.

Thank goodness for good friends!

I went to bed feeling far more relaxed than I had all week, ready to face whatever might come my way in the daylight. And as I thought about it, I realized that maybe Mahjong really does teach us a few life skills along the way. A little luck, a little strategy, good timing, paying attention and knowing when to take a chance, or when to simply sit back and wait for the right tile.

Some things can be taught, but some of the best insights come to light in conversation with a friend who knows you well. Those moments are priceless.

So the next time I say, “It’s Mahjong Night,” just know… it’s never just a game. Sometimes it’s a little learning, a little laughter, a little therapy, a glass of wine and a whole lot of friendship. And honestly, I can’t think of a better way to spend an evening.

“You have to learn the rules of the game. And then you have to play better than anyone else.” ~ Albert Einstein