"So let's skip the part where I say something trite about personal growth. What I have done is been able to slow down long enough to get some overdue maintenance done on my ship. Something I wouldn't have been able to do at home."

Because he'd have to be lining up job after job to try to catch up on the money he's owed people. Here he's been able to take his time. When he stopped trying to do the hairbrained thing - gamble till he had enough to buy new parts - and actually, did a little work. Things came together much better for him.