There are many games one can use as a metaphor for life. Some might claim chess, monopoly or poker to be it, but, for me, none is describes life as well Scrabble and its smart phone derivatives like, Words with Friends. The lessons might not be original thoughts, but I think worth are worth repeating. Or not. Anyway, I’m just trying to get my daily 1,000 words in, that’s all.

So, Let the game begin!

1. Everybody is born with different talents, proclivities and resources. How you use them is up to you.
2. Play your best all the time.
3. Play with the best.
4. It takes time and practice to be good so play often.
5. Think hard, think smart, think dumb. Just think!
6. However, don’t think too much. Make a move. Time, tide and life waits for no man.
7. You don’t know everything, so learn something new whenever you can.
8. Even better, learn how to learn!
9. You can’t learn everything, so don’t bother trying.
10. Playing the game is best way to learn.
11. You can play anything and everything you set you mind to, within reason.
12. Things change. New skills are learned, old ones forgotten. All in all, work with what you have.
13. You can’t play this game alone.
14. Not playing is playing.
15. You can play with everybody, but it’s wise to choose your battles.
16. Play the game, not the player.
17. Just because you can doesn’t mean you should.
18. With that being said, people may cheat you. Play anyways.
19. When and where you play is, sometimes, more important than what you play.
20. Skipping a turn might the best thing you can do sometimes, but not all the time.
21. Opportunities change with every play, so pay attention.
22. Sometimes, the best thing you can do is change your mind.
23. Risks pay off 100% of the time. The compensation be might positive or adverse, either way expect something.
24. Mistakes will be made, by even the best. So this is not a reason to quit. Keep playing.
25. There are no do-overs.
26. You can make up for your mistakes.
27. Every move is not equal.
28. Repetition is good and, sometimes, even better than the first time!
29. Little moves can make a huge difference.
30. A good move is a good move, even though you didn’t make it. So don’t hate, appreciate.
31. One good move does not make you a good player, but it can make all the difference.
32. Anybody can call you out on your move. When they do, you had better back it up.
33. On the other hand, don’t be afraid to call people out and hold them accountable.
34. Let some things slide. Policing every single move sucks fun out of the game.
35. The weirdest moves work sometimes. So be weird.
36. Everything doesn’t have to make sense all the time.
37. In order to have a good game, your good moves must always be greater than your bad.
38. The best will remain the best if no one challenges them.
39. Losing to a good player beats winning a bad one every time.
40. A > B and B >C doesn’t necessarily mean A >C. In other words, just because someone else can’t, doesn’t mean you, too, can’t.
41. There is a direct correlation between the thrill of winning to the risk of losing. Linear or non-linear I don’t know, but it is there! So how sweet do you want your victories to be?
42. There’s no such thing as a win-win situation. This just means the loser is at peace with the result.
43. It’s a marathon, not a sprint. So pace yourself.
44. You can lose game and gain a powerful ally. So, lose with dignity.
45. There isn’t an absolute blueprint on how to win the game.
46. The rules were written by people. You are person, so you can write them too.
47. Play a game worth remembering.
48. This is not a spectator sport.
49. It’s not about winning all the time.
50. Just because it sounded better than 49.