Play the Game of Life
Eight has always been a special number for me. So at 8:08 on 8/8/08, I’m focusing on happiness – for me and my loved ones, and everyone else. The Dalai Lama says the very purpose of life is to be happy, and the road to happiness is through compassion. Why shouldn’t that road be full, abundant, and prosperous? No, I’m not busting out the Magic eight-ball. Just spreading some metaphysical love on this days of eights.
In her 1925 book The Game of Life and How to Play It (a precursor to The Secret
Shinn suggests to play the game of life we should clearly imagine and deeply feel the things we want. Similarly, The Secret says to visualize what you want, then feel great about having it. If you align your subconscious mind and emotional body to the life you truly want to live, that life will manifest.
(Whether you believe it works or not, you have to admit it’s a positive way to go through your day. And on a day like eight-eight, some quirky alternative thinking can’t be all bad. Just watch what you ask for. If you’re a woman visualizing a husband, a married man might come into your life. If you’re not looking for an affair, then visualize a single man, instead!)
So especially today on 8/8/08, I’m going to play the game of life this way. I’ll visualize the things I want as if I already have them, then deeply feel passion, joy, and enthusiasm for having those things. (Let’s see now, higher blog stats, a pile of money, my own tropical island… haha)
How about: health, wealth, happiness, abundance and prosperity for me and my family (and everyone else!) Career success, financial strength and security, lucrative book and movie deals (plural!) Relationship dating success, unconditional love, moon sign compatibility (ha!), romance, great sex. A home full of life, love, laughter, good food, warmth, kindness. Great friends, companions, partners, comrades, trusted allies. Emotional balance, self awareness, spiritual evolution. Music I love.
That seems a good start. Of course, there’s nothing wrong with visualizing something specific. Can I order me up a non-polyamorous, age-appropriate single woman who is attractive, compassionate, intelligent, grounded, vibrant, fun, sexy, sweet? Dark hair and olive skin, preferred!
Here’s the entire text of The Game of Life and How to Play It. If all you did was read the highlighted paragraph in each chapter sidebar, you’d get a good idea of how the game of life can be played. Have fun with it, especially today, eight-eight-eight. If nothing else, it might put you in a good mood. And what’s not to like about that?
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- Hot, Sexy, Confident
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- Trading a Can of Whoop-Ass for Compassion
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Comment by Cathouse Teri
| August 8th, 2008
Very good plan for 8/8/8!
The number eight is one of my baby mama’s favorite number.
I have always felt it was a number pregnant with possibility!
Here’s to new beginnings! (And no pregnancies! hee hee)
Comment by The Exception
| August 8th, 2008
I am seeing myself in a wonderful Villa in Italy…La Dulce Vita…sigh. So why is my reality in Virginia surrounded by stressed out people and a ratio of 7 women to every man!
Is it possible to feel the gratitude for what you want/have and yet find peace and contentment in living life sully within each moment?
You list of desires sounds abundant indeed. It all can happen.
Isn’t the challenge understanding that you have the power to make things happen and discovering the genuine desire?
Life is a game, love is a choice, and we are all actors upon a stage.
Comment by TentCamper
| August 8th, 2008
Well I for one love that way of thinking. I to believe that you will live a happier and more flfilld life that way.
Good thing you kept your list nice and short…concise and to the point!
Comment by Honey
| August 8th, 2008
Maybe I’ll go to the casino and lay me some money on the 8 at roulette!
Seriously, except for the fact that almost every single western game is based on the idea of battle (winners and losers, after all, we’re pitched against each other always) what you say is sound.
Comment by dadshouse
| August 8th, 2008
Teri – your comments are always pregnant with possibility. Love it!
The Exception – I was totally with you in Italy until the sigh. Replace that with an ecstatic “YES!” and you’ll be playing the game. Don’t let the stressed out people get you down. Being happy and grateful helps you stay on a positive note. Can a person be happy with just that? Um… I can’t. I’m not a monk. I definitely chase after stuff I want.
Tent Camper – I agree, this mindset helps reduce stress and leads to a longer, happier life.
Honey – drop some roulette money for me!
Comment by NewWrldYankee
| August 8th, 2008
Here’s to hoping things turn around with positive thinking..Oh, and btw if you find your dream woman, can you ask her if she also comes in a male version. Maybe a younger brother? Hmmm…I think if I asked an 8-ball for that, it would just tell me to ask again later. Just my luck!
Comment by pajama momma
| August 8th, 2008
8 has always been my favorite number. turn it sideways and you have the symbol for infinity, kinda, sorta
Comment by Single Mom in New England
| August 8th, 2008
IS TODAY YOUR BIRTHDAY?????? If so, Happiest of Days TO YOU!!!
Is the brunette in the photo your birthday present? ;)
Comment by Tonya
| August 8th, 2008
Of course you know I love this post!!
I like The Secret for the simple reason that it helps us to recognize our responsibility for the thoughts we put out into the universe. I also believe that we may or may not be able to control exactly how things happen in our lives. I try to focus on the content of what I want rather than the form. If you’re looking for specifics, you might miss the perfect opportunity right in front of you!!
Have a great day, DH. It looks like you’re already there! Thanks for sharing the LOVE!
Comment by dadshouse
| August 8th, 2008
Someone I know really really well has a birthday today. The brunette is my dream board wish for romance in my life! Putting the blogosphere to use to manifest her.
Tonya – you are so right. Focus on the content, not the form.
Yank – whenever I meet a hottie, whether I’m wine tasting or whatever, if she’s married I immediately ask if she has a sister. You and I think alike!
PJ Momma – yeah, I always tripped out about 8 and infinity like that. I guess you and I won’t be needing any “extra help” before we go see Pineapple Express… we’re already off in our own crazy little worlds, kinda sorta
Comment by mama llama
| August 8th, 2008
As 8 is the number of my birthdate, it is one of my favorites as well.
I have a close friend who told me he wakes up every morning saying to himself, “Today is going to be a good day.” Thus creating the self-fulfilling prophecy. If, in our mind and our soul we believe that anything is possible, it most certainly is. Our greatest obstacle is ourselves, our attitudes.
Thank you. Your post today made me remember that very important lesson that is so easy to forget each and every day.
Be well.
Comment by Single Mom Seeking
| August 8th, 2008
On the way to camp today, my kid told me, “Whoever has a birthday today, it’s VERY special, because it’s his GOLDEN birthday.” We tried to think if we knew anyone who has a birthday today…
Dad’s House, whoever that special person might be, send him all the love in the universe, okay?
And, please, can you “order me up” one of those, too, from the male species? Mmmm!
Comment by The Exception
| August 8th, 2008
Okay, I will take back my sigh and start looking for a picture of that Villa! (Does it work if I find a picture of a man as well… a man in that Villa? Oh, this could be fun)
Here’s to a new year of dreams and desires realized – regardless of the package in which they are delivered… and to boy shorts because, well, they just rock!
Have a wonderful weekend.
Comment by lisaq
| August 9th, 2008
I can’t even begin to tell you the difference thinking this way has made in my life! It’s all about attitude and choosing to be happy. And, really, isn’t that what we all want?
Comment by Octavius
| August 16th, 2008
Nice eight post. I noticed your clever use of 8’s – 8 paragraphs, 8 instances of the number ‘8′, 8 uses of the word ‘eight’. Did I miss any eights? 8/8/08 was very cool, indeed. (And I just used the number eight eight times. Plus eight uses of the word ‘eight’ if you count this eight.)
Comment by Tina
| November 22nd, 2009
I don’t think life is a game, but life is a school in which we take from it what we need to grow toward our true meaning. The Dalai Lama also said that “Anger is very expensive” so don’t waste your time on the negative and look at that glass have full. Love is the only thing that is truly real and lasts forever so love, love, love!!!! Be content in the moment and remember that tomorrow is not a gaurantee.