My Turn

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I'm making my move now. That's right, i've rolled the dice, bought my 'Experience Cards' and accumulated my 'Information Tokens', and now i'm taking my turn.

Life is a game, you know. We start out with potential and nothing else but a DNA blueprint. We must play our original hand of 'Trait Cards' with only small variations. We're given sustenance, love (hopefully), and information from our environment and slowly we are (as soon as we start to understand the rules) allowed to take our turn. The first times are just for moments in stray crawls and playthings. Reaction and stimulus help us to learn the rules while we play. If we somehow sense negative feedback, we know that what we did was against the rules.

As we grow up it is our turn more and more often. We start becoming aware of the intricacies and flaws of the game. It becomes easier to see reasons for certain rules and ways of getting where we want to.

Sometimes we stumble onto 'Information Tokens' which not very many people have. How can we be sure that they haven't had them before but threw them out because they were worthless tokens? We can't. We can only use them and see if they will buy us what we want.

As the game progresses we start setting up rules for ourselves, based on our objectives and values. Though we all play by the same major rules, we do have the choice of many minor rule structures. Those things we like to do and experience, or think and say, we set rules for, based on our upbringing and learning. As we get older, the game reveals itself further, through experience and exposure. Our turn is frequent and we become more comfortable with it being so.

Some people take the game very seriously. Competitive and ruthless, some care only that they win the game (though they seldom do). Many try to help others win (for in this way, they do also). There are many other ways to play the game as well, but the most important questions that all of us may sooner or later ask is: How is this game won? and What is the easiest way to do so? It is up to each player to decide.

One rule which is never overlooked (especially as one matures) is the Rule of Time. Remember, this game ends whether we win or lose, (at least in this physical world). Therefore it seems wise to take this into consideration at all times when deciding about rules and about winning or losing.

We must also decide whether, if we win, it is more important to win alone or with others (can winning with others be accomplished?).

Life is a game more complex and challenging than any other we play. As far as i know, we only get to play once, so we better do the best that we can. OK, NOW IT'S YOUR TURN.


copyright 2006, a taoist city monk (nagasiva yronwode)


From: WATERMELON SUGAR, Volume I, Issue #3, 1983-11-08