Kyrie Eleison

When I was a child, I used to talk as a child, think as a child, reason as a child; when I became a man, I put aside childish things.
- 1 Cor 13:11

Have you ever watched Survivor?  I am not watching currently, but I admit that I have watched more than one season of the show.  I noticed that the “good guys” don’t usually do so well.  This is particularly true if they adopt a leadership role.  The going thought is to tear down the leader so that the person scheming can take that role.  The person typically excuses their behavior as part of a game.

Games are sometimes fun and sometimes serious.  We are told to not take them personally – they are just games after all.

When I was an executive at a public company, I remember a discussion about how we treat work and people at work.  I was advised that if I wanted to succeed, I needed to see work more as a game.  Monopoly and chess were common metaphors.  I never did quite get there, but moved enough in that direction that I saw myself changing.

Did you hear about the recent lawsuits against Sarah Palin?  A bit of gamesmanship is afoot.  It seems her political rivals are pulling a chess play a few moves out to try and ensure she doesn’t run for office again. If your adversary can make you bankrupt, it limits your future moves.

When I was a child, I would occasionally do something mischievously unkind or forbidden.  I would laugh and snicker about it when I got away with it.  If I was called to task, I would say that I was only playing.  It was just in fun. I wasn’t serious.  I didn’t mean it.

The Pope has come under attack lately. I’ve noticed with the media that sometimes they will play word games.  If they take something out of context they can change the game.  Or if they focus on only one part they can alter the playing field.  If they focus on an issue long enough, even neglecting other issues or any semblance of balance, they can force players to mix things up.  If your are playing for all the marbles, some people think that anything goes.  It certainly seems they have staked a position in the game.

With all these games, what is the ultimate end-game?  When we treat life like a game, who wins?  Who loses?

Does being a player change who you are? Do we lose something important in the game?