The Game of Life

Hasbro's The Game of Life

Ah, the wonderful Game of Life. Fictional board game yes, but this board game is for more than just entertainment. I used to love playing this game as a kid (still do), and every time I played I chose the most easy and what I considered, the best way to live life. I would try so hard to get the best job, take the best road, save my money, and when I didn't get exactly what I want, I quit. I was a young, and I was being just that, young. When I got older and decided not to quit, but rather finish the game, the lessons of the Game of Life began to sink in.

For those who have never played, the rules are simple: Pick a car, get some start-up money from the bank, spin the dial, and move your character over the board however many spaces you spun. The space you land on will determine your life experience. Whether that be finding buried treasure worth $100,000, or having a major car accident costing $50,000. Throughout the whole game, you will also have to make decisions that will either cost money, or save money, such as going to college, or buying insurance for the unexpected situations.

Some people get lucky, and get the highest paying job, go to college, get great insurances, pay all their bills on time, and inherit thousands of dollars, on the contrary, there are also players that don't get their dream job, have unexpected bills, and get lousy living situations. Maybe even have their house be destroyed in a tornado. However unfortunate these players had it, I found it curious that they still moved on. And even though the Game of Life threw all negativity at them, and made every attempt to knock them down as they played, they still wound up finishing the game. Sometimes, not on top, but nonetheless, they finished their life experience.

This was interesting to me, and just as the title of the game suggests, it can be equated to Life. Few get everything they want, and fewer are actually happy when they get everything they desire. We hear all the time that even when people with money get everything they want, the next thing you hear about them is their death from overdosing on drugs. What does this say? Fulfilling desires only creates more desire. Most of the time, we are not dealt the hand we exactly want, so why the hell are we still chasing things we want, rather than just enjoying what we already have?  For all the negativity and unfortunate events that could be thrown at me, life still moves on, and when you reach that finish line, you can either look back and despair with tears, or rejoice with tears; enjoying rather than regretting. That is the lessons that should be taken from this board game. And even though you may land on inopportune spaces, it doesn't mean you have to live without a Enjoying the Game of Life.

Warm Wishes and Enjoy Life,
Andrew R. Kranich