The Game of Life

Since I am in a healing process of sorts and trying to stay positive about life and not do something irrational and negative that I would regret later I have decided to open up more and reflect some on my blog. I am human and have thoughts that need to be expressed, so friends do not call me crazy...call me a work in progress...trying to heal. Blogging is the easy part, facing the new reality and not doing something irrational and negative is proving to be hard.

But on a serious note, as humans, we have grown accustomed to having everything readily available at a moment’s notice. We have been raised by our parents and today’s society to have instant access to almost anything and everything we possibly could ever want with almost no questions asked. Within our instant society also comes the idea that we can have the “best of both worlds”. But really can we have it all…?

• Enjoy cake and ice cream every day without feeling guilty and having the possibility of gaining a few extra pounds
• Have a great body without having to work out and put forth effort to maintain it
• Have a great life and not have to face the reality of situations that might hinder us from achieving what we want
• Call or text to stay connected & show you care…all just because you want someone to feel better after you break the connection…maybe after a period of time & healing…
• Get up early & get work done and to stay up late & have fun with your friends 365 days of the year
• Have a cool fast car with all the luxuries and great fuel efficiency within ones spending plan
• Have a high salary and time off from work whenever we want it
• Enjoy independence & freedom yet have a deep connection with a member of the opposite sex while maintaining the status quo of everything just like it was before 
• You name it…???
• Last but not least…Be a Christian (Sunday-Thursday) and be the cool friend “of the World” (Friday & Saturday)

Seriously, it does not work that way! Usually we cannot have the “best of both worlds” in the game of life even though we would love it! Having the “best of both worlds” is in the ideal Barbie World of fantasyland! We have to be willing to make concessions, compromises, and set priorities within our life with what really matters. The world views my fellow generation (the Millennials also known as Generation Y) as the entitled generation, because we want it all…the perfect balance of work life and personal life, the ability to make our own rules and multi-task our way through everything and anything.  You are in my generation if you were born between 1977 and early 2000s, so let us own up to a few things and be realistic with ourselves if you are in my generation or can relate to what I am talking about. OK? Satisfaction with life is important and our attitude has a lot to do with it, so let us have some realistic expectations. Here are a few things to remember about life…

1. Consider others on your “team” in order to build relationships and help them feel more confident and supported. Do not build ones self-esteem up and then burst it in a moment’s notice whenever you feel like it…and do not play the “let it down easy game”. Be honest and truthful to your teammates. If you want them to have your back do not hit them in the back along the process.  
2. Understand that technology is not everything, generations before made it without the luxury of the Internet and text messaging. Make that phone call you have been putting off.
3. It is not necessarily greener on the other side! You are the one who is holding yourself back in life when you think you it is “greener on the other side” or that you can have the “best of both worlds” because that is not “reality”. Life happens. Situations come and go. Nothing can be perfect. Life is not perfect. If you wait for that 100% perfect moment or the 1 spark to top off all others you have already felt, then you might just miss something great and wonderful.
4. You cannot always have a Win Win 100% of the time unless both parties of the team are willing to put forth the effort to make it work. Just like with prayers, you will not always get a “yes” because sometimes you can also receive a “no” from God or a “not right now” as an answer.  
5. Figure out what is best for you and go with it, but please take time to look around and take inventory of those things around you that have made an impact within your life. Consider others. Take action on things, or they might slip away from you before you realize it.
6. It takes effort to build and protect healthy relationships, so realize what your priorities are and own up to them.  
7. You have control over yourself only, so focus on what you can change and do not waste too much energy trying to force others to change. People have to want change for it to happen.
8. It is never too late to say “I am sorry”, “I was wrong”, or “please forgive me”.   

These are just a few of my reflections & what I have learned while living and working within my normal everyday life. They can be applied to almost any given situation. Once again I am no expert and do not profess to know it all or have all the answers. I have made my own fair share of mistakes! I have a degree from the school of hard knocks, trials and tribulations, and life.

We are all weak from time to time, but we need to keep in mind that we are not perfect and that we each need the Lord in order to grow as Christians. It is OK to ask for forgiveness and help when you need it. We only have one life to live, so it is our job to live our life to the fullest potential that God gave us and if we fail at the game of life it is because we simply do not want it bad enough.