the infinite game
Life is an infinite game.
Not infinite in the sense that it goes on forever, but infinite in that you want to stay in the game for as long as you can. There is no winner, or loser.
Sure, if you have more money, life is easier.
Sure, if you’re sick, you might want to step out of the game. But when you think about life, staying in the game and playing it well for as long as you can is the goal.
In contrast, there are finite games throughout your life. What is an finite game? There is a specific start, middle, and end, with defined rules. Think hockey, or football, or Getting a degree for example. You do well on your exams, tests, and assignments, and you will pass. Winning the game. But once you’re through that phase, and you get a job, how do you win at business? At medicine? At teaching? There is more business to be done. There are more people who are sick and injured who need your help. There are more people who need an education. You can’t ever really ‘win’ at any of those. So you have to change your thinking. How long you want to play in those games is up to you. You are eligible to retire from business as soon as you have enough money to do so. You can retire from medicine at any point you can no longer perform your duties. You can retire from teaching once you’ve reached your 85 factor.
And what about family? Is that a finite game? Or infinite? I think you’re gathering that it’s infinite. You are always going to be someone’s child. Your roles and responsibilities may change, but you’ll always be that. What about becoming a parent yourself? Or a cousin? Or Uncle? There is a beginning, but there is no middle or end, really.
This is an interesting perspective, one that I think the Chinese have learned well, and teach well. This is something I think the Buddhists have learned, and teach well. However, the more modern religions, the Catholics and Muslims in particular, I think view things in a different way. More finite. Our way, is the right way, and everyone must do it our way, or we will kill them all because they are wrong. When you write it out, it’s just stupid. I don’t blame the Israelis for fighting back, and smashing those who attacked them, but at some point, I hope their humanity kicks in. They will never exterminate all those who oppose them, and they become more like their attackers every day.
It makes me realize how I’ve been playing the wrong game. Buying the cottage, was a finite game move, and I’m now paying the price for that. This perspective will serve me well. Making decisions based on the type of game, will make all the difference.