The Game of Life

Inspiration comes in the most unusual forms and from the most unexpected places sometimes.

Last night I watched the most recent episode of a television series that I enjoy. I was struck by a particular soliloquy delivered by my favorite character, Harold. So much so, that I have decided to display a copy of it in my home. I also felt like there was a blog post in it somewhere, so here it is.

Each possible move represents a different game. A different universe in which you make a better move. By the second move, there are 72,084 possible games. By the third, 9 million. By the fourth-- there are more possible games of chess than there are atoms in the universe. No one could possibly predict them all, even you. Which means that that first move can be terrifying. It's the furthest point from the end of the game, there's a virtually infinite sea of possibilities between you and the other side. But it also means that if you make a mistake, there's a nearly infinite amount of ways to fix it. So you should simply relax and play.

I almost want to leave it stand as is...but I'm too wordy for that!!

If ever there could be instructions for life, this would be it. Life can be daunting. The endless possibilities and trying to 'get it right' can be so overwhelming it can cause paralysis. That is why I love this particular part of the quote so very much. "Which means that that first move can be terrifying. It's the furthest point from the end of the game, there's a virtually infinite sea of possibilities between you and the other side. But it also means that if you make a mistake, there's a nearly infinite amount of ways to fix it. So you should simply relax and play."

How many procrastinate because of all the pressure of that first move? That first move eliminates an unknown amount of possibilities at the same time it brings you tremendously closer to the end game. That is exactly why the first move is so powerful! It initiates the momentum. It is the most important move you'll ever make and this can paralyze some into not making it.

The key to relieving that pressure is simple...be authentic. What does 'authentic' mean. It means to follow your heart without fear. When you face life head on, without hiding in addictive behaviors or non-activity, you are on your authentic path. When you do that, there are no mistakes. No wrong decisions. When you come to what seems like a crossroads and you have two choices, you don't really. One path will be the path you are meant to be on, let's call that path your destiny. The other path will bring you knowledge, by way of experience, that you obviously need (if you chose it) for your destiny.

Even the 'wrong path' or 'wrong choice' will get you back to your destiny, IF, and ONLY if, you are being authentic. That means finding your OWN rules to live by, not the ones you might have been handed down from your ancestors or pressured into by your peers.

The game of life will play out exactly the way you need it to, so there is no worry necessary about each and every move. Do the best you know how to do and you will experience life fully. If you are living consciously, then there will be plenty of opportunities to remedy any 'wrong choice' you perceive you've made.