May 9, 2022 by Kelly James · Personal Development

Pool Shark at 50: Learning to Win at Life and 8 Ball

After her divorce, Kelly James went to the pool hall to distract herself from the pain. She just placed in a national tournament.

When I left my 19-year-marriage at 50, I was resolute in my desire not to waste time thinking “woulda, coulda, shoulda.” I forced myself to look at it as an opportunity—to learn, to grow, to try new things—or, as it turned out, discover old ones. Like playing pool.

My first college boyfriend showed me how to hold a cue stick but my skills never took hold. I used the full-on velocity approach—hit the cue ball as hard as you could, with the hope of a ball careening into a pocket. I “scratched,” or pocketed the cue ball (which means you lose your turn) frequently; however the satisfying “thwack” of a well-placed (and lucky) shot was gratifying.

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