Last week, my three-year-old grandson stood in front of our game cupboard, proudly holding a bright, colorful board game. Then he looked at me with total excitement and asked: “Grandma, do you want to play The Game of Life?”
Of course! I never say no to that little redhead with big ideas.
It’s Exactly How You Remember
Colorful tiles.
Tiny cars with little peg-people.
A spinner that clacks with every turn.
He spun first, landed on something lucky, and looked up at me with the biggest confidence in the world.
Then, out of nowhere, he said:
“Grandma, you and me are really good at this game!”
Oh buddy.
You don’t know how much that means — or how literal that is.
Aren’t We All Just Trying to Figure Out Life?
We spin the wheel…
make a choice…
hope it moves us forward.
Sometimes it’s the “good tile,” sometimes it’s unexpected, and sometimes it makes absolutely no sense.
But just like that game, life isn’t about perfection.
It’s about:
- showing up
- trying again
- laughing when things go sideways
- learning the rules as we go
- and finding joy in the small, ordinary moments
Kids Understand This Better Than We Do
They don’t overthink their spin.
They don’t panic about the tiles ahead.
They don’t worry about falling behind someone else’s car.
They just play.
They enjoy.
They believe they’re “good at the game” — without needing proof.
What If That Belief Is the Secret?
Not getting every step right…
not choosing perfectly…
but showing up with effort, optimism, curiosity, and wonder.
So here’s the question I’m asking myself — and maybe you want to ask it too:
- How are you doing at the game of life?
- Are you showing up?
- Trying again?
- Finding joy in the journey — even when you land on the wrong tile?
Maybe the secret to “winning” isn’t winning at all.
Maybe it’s choosing to play with all your heart.
Just like my grandson.
Just like our little two-peg car.
Here’s to being “good at this game” — in all the imperfect, joyful ways that count.
—S. 💛
