my Game of LIFE
Growing up in Australia as a young boy was much like the opening scene from a family movie. Set in the late summer when the days were still hot and humid. My friends and I would gather on most weekends to plan our day. I remember decisions about whether we built, caught, or played something, or deciding to discover our surrounds through hiding from each other for most of the day. That was the sum of our entertainment expectations.
During one late summer’s day when I was around ten years of age, my neighbour who was a year younger than me suggested we play this boardgame called “the Game of LIFE®” (Hasbro).
At the time I remember the chase towards achieving wealth and finishing first was the goal to becoming the winner. How I did this and the gathering of non-descript items along the way had little meaning in my pursuit to win. To finish in “Millionaire Acres” rather than the “Poor Farm” was the end game. How the spin of the wheel decided my choices on this linear pathway and how a bad outcome could be resolved with my next spin.
Over time I would reflect on this childhood experience. I started to understand the parallels with LIFE, whereby luck granted by a spin of the game’s wheel could be achieved through trusting my instinct and timing. Yet, this realisation took many challenging years because of the person I did not see in the mirror! Getting to know what was going on inside me took time until I understood the need to draw insights from my actions; to understand the intensity of my emotions and my impact upon others. What was important to fight for, to follow in my heart and not what fits on my conspicuous shoulders.
Upon reflection, the Game of LIFE® for me started to gather meaning from my earliest “relationships” with both family and friends. Understanding why I fought with the very people I wanted to be with not knowing this was born from love or jealously. In myself, understanding and applying my few natural strengths against many weaknesses during my adolescent years to enable me to keep pace with acceptance which had no compass heading at this time.
We spindle these anxieties into some sense of direction against the needs and expectations of both family and community, as we fumble towards developing a skill set of competencies to become employable. A “career” at this time was a means to buy escape from the hard work it took to earn the money to achieve this end. Yet over time this reoccurring pattern of education – job – money, starts to gather experiences and possessions.
“Wealth” is now somewhere in our vocabulary, and at some stage may become the lodestar towards our “lifestyle” choices. Life's pace becomes relentless. Responsibilities have changed to accountabilities. Leadership upon others has become our focal point. Hopefully by now we can recognise and articulate our feelings when reflecting upon our younger self.
Have we been able to “become our best” in our heart? Or have we only learned enough skills to survive in our expanded playground. Am I going to end up in the “Poor Farm” has been a question which I’ve carried with me since playing this version of the game many years ago. Yet is being “Poor” measured in wealth or relationships? Can we change this outcome and achieve both? Do we want both or do we prefer to leave this decision with the spin of the wheel? How you decide to play your Game of LIFE is your privilege. However, I recommend you find that person in the mirror to “become your best” and to remind you what is priceless…
Time
About Brad Howatson
Brad is the Co-Founder of People Planet Guide; creators behind Solfile App. After having spent 35 years in the FMCG industry he followed his lifelong dream and founded his own coaching and self- development business. His focus is to encourage and assist people find the best expression of their talents and unique qualities to obtain satisfaction with life.
