So it’s Monday. Father’s Day is behind us. The barbecue’s been cleaned, the dads are full, and the family group chat is 80% dad jokes and blurry photos of ribs.
But I can’t stop thinking about what I noticed yesterday—my cousin was glued to his phone. Not taking pictures. Not texting anyone. Just quietly chasing free spins while everyone else was playing with the kids or catching up over cake.
It’s awkward, right? When you see someone close to you stuck in that zone—not having fun, just chasing. Hoping the next spin will fix the last one. But it won’t. We know that. Every spin is its own thing. The machine doesn’t remember if you lost five in a row. Only we do. And when we chase? That’s when the game stops being a game.
I get it. I’ve been there. We all want that big win. We all think we’re just one away. And if you’ve got a friend or family member like that—someone who’s always “checking something real quick” or suddenly quiet after a loss—you don’t need to confront them with a lecture. Just start a real conversation. Ask how they’re doing. Ask if they’re okay. Sometimes, just saying “I’ve been there too” is enough to open a door.
What they’re doing isn’t always about greed or carelessness. Sometimes it’s stress. Escape. Habit. Sometimes it’s just that they forgot where the line between fun and frustration is—and they need help finding it again.
So if you saw someone disappear into their phone yesterday during dessert, maybe check in today. Not with judgment. With kindness. With understanding. With an offer to grab coffee, take a walk, or just talk. Let them know it’s okay to step away. That they’re not weak. That walking away isn’t quitting—it’s winning in its own way.
We don’t always talk about this stuff. But we should. Especially on Mondays, when we’re starting fresh and trying to do better than we did the week before.
So here’s to a week of balance. Of being present. Of putting down the phone and picking up the moment.
And if you’re the one who needed to hear this today? That’s okay too. We all have those days. Just don’t let one spin turn into a spiral.
You’re worth more than any jackpot.
-Caleb Rensai