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I like to play a little computer game called Snood, and I am getting pretty good at it. The hardest level is called “evil”, and I remember a few years ago when I would only win it every once in a while. Now I win it about 90% of the time. My record is 66 times in a row. It is a part of my spiritual practice.
What? (You may say) Part of your spiritual practice? Yes, indeed. Here are the lessons it has taught me:
The Value of Practice: My aim and my decision making at Snood is getting very good. With practice, I am getting better at being The Angel Within, too.
Doing it My Way: I choose the background and the speed that works for me. Other backgrounds and speeds may work better for other people, but I don’t care. Same on the Spiritual front: I am better off doing it my way. The object is to win, not to do things the same way that others do them.
Strategy: If I don’t take a minute to review the playing field before starting, then I can get into trouble very quickly. Acting without planning is not as effective as developing a strategy and implementing it. Same with Life.
Diligent Focus: If I lose focus and don’t aim well, I make a bad shot. One bad shot usually won’t lose the game, but it will cause a lot of problems. Two bad shots and I am in real trouble. Same with the interactions I have with people throughout the day – I try to make everyone of them great!
Randomness: Some games are much easier than others. Sometimes the colors come in just the right sequence, and sometimes they seem to come at the worst time. Some games seem impossible to win. Same with life.
Calculated Risks: I weigh the value of the outcome of a shot against the risk of missing. Sometimes, there is no downside to trying something; sometimes, I judge the risk to be too great and I choose a different direction. Same with life.
Patience: I find that the slower I go, the better I play. While not true with many games and many aspects of life, it certainly applies a lot.
Every Game Counts: In the pursuit of long-term success, every game counts towards the overall statistics. In life, there are times when there are no “do-overs”, too. Every interaction matters.
Don’t Give Up: I have pulled a lot of games out at the last minute with good fortune and a great shot. The games are not over until they’re over. Same with life.
Detachment: While I try to win, I don’t fret over losing. The games are essentially meaningless. They have no relevance to my value or worth. I can be Joyful and Strong whether I win or lose. Same with life.
So Here’s My Truth: I could write this same kind of message about Spirituality and Bowling, Spirituality and Business, or Spirituality and Parenting. Everything we do, every experience we have can contribute to our Spiritual Growth if we are open to the lessons.
And I am choosing to live this day with diligence, focus, and detachment. I will practice being My Higher Self, The Angel Within once again. I will make every conversation, every interaction count.
Do you take your games too seriously? Are you diligent and focused in all of your interactions? Are you practicing being the person you want to be? Do you find spiritual lessons in all that you do?
Suggested Exercise: Find a game you can play that depends on skill and random luck. Practice it. Then apply the same success factors to your life.
I'm Paul Hoyt. After doing inner work for over 40 years, I decided to share what I have learned with the world. If you are also working to become a stronger, happier, more loving person, then please signup to get my free writings and join my community!