Life is like a video game
This might seem a strange thing to say but I sometimes feel life can be compared to a video game.
Why? Well, just like travelling through life, when you play a game that you have certain expectations for (i.e.winning) you can find yourself facing a much tougher challenge than you expected. When this happens, a personal victory can seem impossible. Now instead of giving up, you might need to change your strategy, adjust your goals, switch tactics, or even accept that some challenges are simply about doing the best you can with the resources you have.
Easy words to say, but this can be so hard for anyone who suffers with any form of emotional distress. Because we have a tendency to overthink, ruminate and our problem solving skills are significantly reduced when we are in a stressful situation.
While it's common to second-guess yourself when you feel distress, especially when the going gets tough you still find yourself wondering if you were too bold or if you should have held back with your tactics making you re-evaluate your initial courage.
You can get so caught up in a situation that you may even regret ever being brave.
But true courage isn't about winning, it's about staying even when you know you're facing a difficult battle. By doing so, you can still have a powerful impact. Don't underestimate how brave you are by simply staying in the game.
That's when you learn a valuable lesson about the difference between courage and foolhardiness. It's important to know when to be courageous, when to be cautious, and when to simply accept things as they are. This wisdom is what allows you to survive in those situations where the win you are looking for isn't on the cards.
Even when a personal victory is out of reach, you can still achieve a significant outcome by shifting your focus from winning to strategic thinking. By concentrating on the elements within your control, you can make a meaningful impact and maybe even set yourself up for future success the next time you “play the game”.
So what would your game be like? I think mine would be very loosely based on pac man (accredited to Bandai Namco Entertainment) where the core concept revolves around the character navigating a maze, eating dots while avoiding the ghosts. Maneuvering through life's everyday obstacles, with a few special victories mixed in, is a lot like clearing a maze of dots while dodging ghosts and grabbing bonus fruits.
Firstly there is the Maze - It's full of twists, turns, dead ends, and open paths. Just like our journey through life, we navigate our careers, relationships, and personal growth through a similar "maze." Sometimes the path is clear, and other times we feel lost or trapped.
The dots are the daily tasks, small victories, and the progress we make. They are the small steps we take to achieve our goals. Each hurdle we jump over gives us points, just as each small accomplishment in life gives us a sense of purpose and moves us forward.
The power pellet - This is our boost moment, where a single opportunity gives us the strength to conquer what once intimidated us.
The ghosts are our fears. They embody the challenges we face with each one representing a unique kind of obstacle.
Then there are the bonus fruits - In life, these are the opportunities that require us to step out of our comfort zones. The reward is significant, but it does comes with increased risk.
The ultimate goal of the game is to clear the maze of all dots. This aligns with the our desire to feel a sense of completion and accomplishment.
In essence, this game teaches us that life is about constantly moving forward, finding the courage to face our fears, and recognising that even in the face of relentless challenges, we have the power to turn the tables and emerge victorious. It's a game of strategy, resilience, and the relentless pursuit of progress, just like life itself.
Ooh, now I want to go to the seaside and find an amusement arcade😆.
Thanks for reading and a virtual hug to you all
