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LIFE, the ULTIMATE GAME

Updated on September 6, 2015
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Grace loves to write commentaries on psychocultural and sociocultural dynamics in their myriad forms.

Unbeknowst to many people, life is indeed a game. People are either playing the game of life advertently or inadvertently. Many people DO NOT know this.They BLIND themselves to this fact!
Unbeknowst to many people, life is indeed a game. People are either playing the game of life advertently or inadvertently. Many people DO NOT know this.They BLIND themselves to this fact!
Each person has a different approach & game plan as far as life goes. Some see life as an arduous endeaver, others view life as an exciting adventure,a few view life as merely existing, and there are those who want to make THEIR mark in this world.
Each person has a different approach & game plan as far as life goes. Some see life as an arduous endeaver, others view life as an exciting adventure,a few view life as merely existing, and there are those who want to make THEIR mark in this world.

Life is a GAME Unbeknowst to Many

What is life really? Is life a game? Many people do not or will not view it that way. Furthermore, they are quite incognizant of the fact they are indeed playing the game of life. One can aptly state that life is a game of sorts. Some people believe that life is quite an arduous undertaking. They view life as a constant uphill battle mentally, emotionally, psychologically, even psychically. Their main concern is if they are going to survive yet another day. They see life as a perpetual constant trial. Then there are people who see life as quite sad with more bleak and dismal periods than happy periods. To them, life consists of nothing but woe. They are of the school that happiness in life is just an illusion which is totally utopian in scope.

There are those who approach life as a mere transitory endurance. They maintain that this life is unimportant in the so-called eternal scheme of events. They assert that this life is meaningless and quite temporary. They believe that the most important life is the afterlife which they consider the true and authentic life. To others, life is just mere existence. They just go through the mechanization and/or motions of life, oftentimes living an utterly grey, monotonous life. They are just going to be passive adherents of their particular and respective societal dictums and paradigms. Then there are people who see life as a continual series of obligations and responsibilities. They staunchly maintain that one does what he/she is supposed to do, forget about likes and passions. They see the latter as inconsequential, even frivolous and wasteful. To them, duty is first and foremost in their lives. These are the people who believe that work and duty are the main essential components of life and the hallmark of a mature grown up.

However, there are people who believe that life is for........LIVING. Their attitude is life should be a fun filled adventure. In fact, they insist that life is one BIG succulent feast which is to be savored in all its awesomeness. They live a life which is packed with myriad, delicious experiences. There are those who see the purpose of life is to make a profound difference in the lives of others. A few intend to make their particular mark on the world in one positive way or another, wishing to be remembered long after they are physically gone from this world.

Then there are people who avidly wish to divorce themselves from the everyday and mundane dealings of life. They simply wish to be left alone, interfacing with life and its aspects only when absolutely necessary. Others view life as a contest and battle of wills with the winner take all mentality. These are the types of people who relish life and feel that obstacles and hardships only make them stronger. They exemplify the mantra that what does not kill them, make them definitely stronger. They believe and practice the paradigm of the survival of the fittest, contending that they are the FITTEST of all. Life is indeed a game and They are of the belief of the survival of the fittest, believing themselves to be the FITTEST of ALL. Life is indeed a game and everyone of us play the game in one form or another.

Life is a series of rules whether we acknowledge it or not. These rules are written & unwritten. Everyone adhere to such follows. Some people MAKE the rules while others FOLLOW the rules.
Life is a series of rules whether we acknowledge it or not. These rules are written & unwritten. Everyone adhere to such follows. Some people MAKE the rules while others FOLLOW the rules.
Many people fail to realize that they have a part in constructing their own lives. They were inculcated as children that they had little or no influence in their lives & that they must conform to the prevailing social construct.
Many people fail to realize that they have a part in constructing their own lives. They were inculcated as children that they had little or no influence in their lives & that they must conform to the prevailing social construct.
Then there are THOSE who MAKE their own rules. They WON'T live by other's rules. They maintain that life is what ONE makes it , either good or bad. To them, conformity is for the weak, fearful, and/or those who simply DON'T know any better.
Then there are THOSE who MAKE their own rules. They WON'T live by other's rules. They maintain that life is what ONE makes it , either good or bad. To them, conformity is for the weak, fearful, and/or those who simply DON'T know any better.
In a given society, it is those who are the MOST  POWERFUL who make the rules that others follow. People find it easier to adhere to the life scripts of those in power as the former believe that they are insignificant & powerless anyway.
In a given society, it is those who are the MOST POWERFUL who make the rules that others follow. People find it easier to adhere to the life scripts of those in power as the former believe that they are insignificant & powerless anyway.

Life DOES Have Rules

What many people fail to realize that life has its rules whether they wish to acknowlege such or not. These rules are written but oftentimes unwritten. In addition to that, there are spoken and unspoken rules as to how life is to be played. Everyone, without exception, follow the rules and script of life. There are some people who make their own rules while many live life by the rules that others make. Life, in essence, is a governing and operating construct.

There are people who fail to realize that they have a part in constructing their own particular paradigm as to how to approach and live their lives. They were inculcated by parents and other adult authoritative figures that there are certain preordained rules in life that one must follow unquestioningly. They were further indoctrinated in the premise that they are powerless little people and anything they do is insignificant. As a result of such inculcation, they feel that they have little or no influence as to how their lives turn out. They are told that they are unimportant, Average Joes/Josephinas and they must conform to the prevailing societal construct.

However, there are those who believe in making their own rules. They contend that they are in charge of their lives and destinies. They adamantly refuse to live by the consensus of the prevailing society or sociocultural group. Their approach is to live life on their own terms. They are of the school that life is what one makes it, either for good or ill. They see passivity and conformity as utterly baseless, futile, and an anathema to a well-lived life.They strongly insist that societal rules are for those who know no better, want to be followers, and/or who are weak.

Those who have the most whether it is power, money, education,other attributes and/or a combination thereof are the ones who determine what the rules of life are. People oftentimes follow and/or adhere to the life scripts of those who have the most power or preeminence. People also find it much easier to follow such rules and scripts as they believe that they are powerless and/or unimportant anyway. Many people, believing that they are powerless, view those with the most power as more authoritative and powerful than they are. In the former's opinion, those with the most power have the unmitigated right to make life rules for the less powerful.

The pecking order DOES NOT end at high school.It exists in adulthood.Life is a pecking order whether it is family,friends,social groups, or corporate society.Racial,ethnic,& religious groups are seen to belong to a designated, societal pecking order.
The pecking order DOES NOT end at high school.It exists in adulthood.Life is a pecking order whether it is family,friends,social groups, or corporate society.Racial,ethnic,& religious groups are seen to belong to a designated, societal pecking order.
There is the top,desirable pecking order where powerful people & the ingroup belong.The inbetweens are not as desired as the top pecking order.Then there is the undesirable pecking order where powerless people & the outgroup belong.
There is the top,desirable pecking order where powerful people & the ingroup belong.The inbetweens are not as desired as the top pecking order.Then there is the undesirable pecking order where powerless people & the outgroup belong.
One's approach to life is influenced by the pecking order he/she belongs to.Those at the top of the pecking order have an active &positive approach to life.Those at the bottom of the pecking order have a negative& passive attitude towards life.
One's approach to life is influenced by the pecking order he/she belongs to.Those at the top of the pecking order have an active &positive approach to life.Those at the bottom of the pecking order have a negative& passive attitude towards life.

Life, THE ULTIMATE PECKING Order

Life is indeed as a pecking order of the ultimate magnitude. If one thought that the pecking order was relegated to elementary, junior high, and high school being terminated once one enters the adult world, he/she is sadly mistaken. In the adult world, the pecking exists. It exists in families, among friends, social groups, and in the corporate world. Socioeconomic class can be classified as a microcosm of the pecking order. Besides families, friends, social groups, corporations, and social class, one can aptly proclaim racial, ethnic, religious groups with subcategories and subdivisions within as a pecking one of one sort or another.

In society, there are groups which are though of as the most desirable group. This is the powerful group which everyone aspires to belong to and to be included in. This group is considered to be the societal ingroup. This is the group that has the power, the socioeconomic means, and access to the better quality of housing, education, and health care. People look up to, even emulating this group. The wealthy, educated, and those who are held in high esteem belong to this group.

Then there is the in-between group. This group is not as powerful as the most powerful ingroup; however, this group has a degree of autonomy and is not completely powerless. This group lead a comfortable life with moderate access to housing, education, and health care. This group is neither considered the ingroup nor the outgroup, this particular group is somewhat accepted and desirable but not as much as the abovementioned, powerful ingroup. The bulk of the middle and working class falls into this category.

Lastly, there is the least powerful group which is also deemed as the least desirable group.This is where powerless, disenfranchised people belong. People who are considered to be marginalized by the more powerful and desired societal groups are considered to be part of the outgroup. This group has the lowest and most inferior quality of health care, education, and housing. Some are considered to be impoverished and homeless or otherwise stigmatized or ostracized for other reasons. This group is the most despised, disrespected, and the most ostracized, even scapegoated.

The pecking order one belongs to more or less determine how he/she approaches life. Those at the top of the pecking order view life as an exciting game which they are masters of and intend to win. After all, it is their contention that the world is their particular oyster which is to be bent to their will and desire. Their approach to life is proactive. They insist that life is in their corner. They see life quite positively. They know that they are masters of their destiny. They make and live by their own rules.

Those who are in-between in the pecking order believe that life have a set of rules and parameters which must be followed. They view life as a series of preparation with a foreseeable and attainable goal in mind. They believe in the importance of plans, moderation, and judiciousness. They believe that without such things, success is impossible to maintain. They furthermore believe that in order to maintain their particular standard of living, such rules should be regularly and rigorously applied in their lives.

Those at the bottom of the pecking order see life as one long, arduous process with no end in sight. To them, everything is a constant and uphill struggle. They also believe that the good things of life always escape them. Their view life as purgatorial at its best and quite horrifically infernal at its very worst. In their estimation, they will never break even, always living in a state of striving and never arriving. These are some at the bottom of the pecking order who believe that life happens to them and there is nothing they can do to improve their particular situation.

Our attitude determines how we approach life.  Positive people have a more joyous & upbeat approach to life.They see life as more good than bad.Negative people do not have a dour approach to life even in more positive aspects. Life to them, SUCKS!
Our attitude determines how we approach life. Positive people have a more joyous & upbeat approach to life.They see life as more good than bad.Negative people do not have a dour approach to life even in more positive aspects. Life to them, SUCKS!
There are people who view life as a contest. To them, it's the survival of the fittest. They don't aim to win but to conquer, subdue,even proverbially annihilate their opponents.  They go for the KILL..
There are people who view life as a contest. To them, it's the survival of the fittest. They don't aim to win but to conquer, subdue,even proverbially annihilate their opponents. They go for the KILL..
There are those who believe that life is a series of risk. If they win, fine. If they lose, so what, they learn and do better the nest time. They go with the punches. Not going to sweat it at all.
There are those who believe that life is a series of risk. If they win, fine. If they lose, so what, they learn and do better the nest time. They go with the punches. Not going to sweat it at all.
There are people who are AFRAID. Afraid to go forward & make a step. They don't want to make a mistake. So they freeze.  They live in a valley of indecision. Oh boy, in a quandary. Purgatory could be no better.
There are people who are AFRAID. Afraid to go forward & make a step. They don't want to make a mistake. So they freeze. They live in a valley of indecision. Oh boy, in a quandary. Purgatory could be no better.
There are people who play it safe. They go on the straightest road to success. They do not want any little or no risks to their goals. They can be described as cautious. That's FINE by them, really.
There are people who play it safe. They go on the straightest road to success. They do not want any little or no risks to their goals. They can be described as cautious. That's FINE by them, really.
There are those who go FULL THROTTLE. They throw caution to the wind. They intend to live life at FULL BLAST. They feel that most people lead gray lives. Well, gray is their LEAST favorite color. It's FULL speed ahead. They lead a vibrant life!
There are those who go FULL THROTTLE. They throw caution to the wind. They intend to live life at FULL BLAST. They feel that most people lead gray lives. Well, gray is their LEAST favorite color. It's FULL speed ahead. They lead a vibrant life!

Life is About.........ATTITUDE

Our attitude towards life determine how we approach life. Attitude is everything. It also determines our perception of life. Positive people have an upbeat approach to life. They also know that life has its travails but that does not preclude them from enjoying the wonderment that is life. Conversely, negative people see life as a proverbial monsoon. Such people are wet blankets, spreading negativity whenever they can. Even if there is positivity in their lives, they will ignore it, saying that it was just happenstance. Yes,our attitude influence our approach to life.

There are those who view life as a jungle. They believe that life rewards the fittest, the best, finest, and the most superlative among us. They see life as a contest which they aim not only to win but to conquer and subdue their opponents. They see their opponents as people to conquer and subdue, even proverbially annihilate. They want their opponents to be so weak that they dare not oppose them ever again. In their minds, it is even better if their opponent is proverbially annihilated, that means that the latter does not have the wherewithal to even think about competing with them.

There are people who love risk. They see life as an endless gamble. If they win, good. If they lose, they take their losses and move on. Uncertainty does not deter them one bit. After all, life is mostly unpredictable. There are only three sure things-birth, death, and taxes. The rest is just a crap game. This unpredictability is what makes life a visceral thrill to these people. They jump in the game of life, win, lose some and start all over again. They contend that if life is not risky, why even bother.

There are people who fear life. They see life as the proverbial valley of indecision. They become immobilized regarding each task they attempt to undertake. They are scared of making the wrong move. In fact, they are afraid of even trying. They want everything to be right but are scared to do anything least it be wrong. They do not want to be wrong. They really do not know what to do. They are in quite quandary, aren't they? They are living a purgatorial life.

There are people who want to play it safe.They approach life in a judicious way. They do not want to extend themselves or take risks. They want to take the straightest, narrowest road to success. They do not want to take risks that would end up in failure. They believe in moderation in any thing they undertake. They are also cautious. If anything seems risk and/or too outlandish to them, they will not try it. They believe on going on the straight and narrow road and lfe path.

They are people who throw caution to the wind. They live life at full kettle. They live life at a very high voltage level. They are of the school that one only lives once and they intend to go for the gusto. They believe that the majority of people lead gray, monotonous lives of quiet desperation. They maintain that they are not most people. It is their intention to go full throttle in the game of life. Full speed ahead folks, they're in full gear. There are as many approaches to life as there are people. It is all dependent upon various factors. Each approach to life is different.

We all play the game of life. Yes, life is a game whether we admit it or not. Either we play the game of life or sadly, it plays us. Such is life, there is NO escaping it!
We all play the game of life. Yes, life is a game whether we admit it or not. Either we play the game of life or sadly, it plays us. Such is life, there is NO escaping it!

The Conclusion

Life is a game for us all. There are many who see it as a glorious undertaking, want to make a different in the world. There are those who lead a monotonous, risk free life as possible, leading a straight and narrow life. There as many approaches to life as there are people in this world. Each approach is unique. We all play the game of life whether we wish to or not and whether we acknowledge it or not. We either play the game of life or it plays us.

© 2013 Grace Marguerite Williams

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