We are aware that the very title of this concept may offend some. The idea that life can be equated to a game can be seen as diminishing its value and minimizing the human experience, a cheapening of its purpose. Nothing could be further from our intent.
Yet, let us look at how humanity views playing games. Games are generally seen as optional activities with no ultimate intrinsic value, often a fantasy reality offering no lasting value to the human experience. That is a pretty heavy judgment of games to contend with. Simply stated, games are not a necessary component for life; yet, we hold to our statement that life is a game.
So, what do games offer that is positive? They provide recreation and an opportunity to develop skills and abilities. They provide enjoyment and yes, hopefully, healthy competition and, in some cases, team work. Winning is, of course, a nice side benefit. Can we squeeze the concept of life into this narrow box, no pun intended?
Let’s look at it this way. Is life a game the soul plays?
“What?!” you may shout, “Life is too hard, too serious, too important, too valuable to be a flippant activity of the soul!” Perhaps we can help your screaming ego consciousness by saying this discussion is not about the value of life; for, we honor the immensity of the human experience and the sacredness of its existence.
We have indicated that games are for recreation and enjoyment, though you may feel yourself up to your eyeballs in alligators–you became physical to have fun. Have you been having fun?
When you encounter a challenge in a game, do you curse it or is the challenge the essence of the game? Be it a board game or a sports activity, the presence of the challenge is actually the catalyst to participate and the source of your enjoyment. We are sure you would agree you would quickly lose interest in a game that presented no challenge.
You like a good challenge, and so does your soul.
So why then does humanity become bogged down in the challenges which were initially the reason for playing in the first place? Now, we will admit that games lose their enjoyment if the player either feels they neither have the skills nor the ability to win and, perhaps worse, don’t know the rules of the game or how it is won. These are the pitfalls humanity experiences that steal the fun from playing in the game of life.
If you want to play, let’s say a sport, how do you develop your skills and abilities. Yes, as in any endeavor—practice plus trial and error. Perhaps it is necessary at this time to allay your fears by stating that the game of life is won simply by participating. To play is to win even if you feel at times that you have lost.
As you experience the game of life, the more you learn the more skilled you become.
The more skilled you become the more you are able to participate; the more you participate the more enjoyment you experience which is the purpose for playing.
The game of life is played by the soul, and perhaps, the most important thing about the game of life you should know is that you are not the playing piece on the board but the hand and, therefore, the mind that moves it.
Have fun!
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