Many years ago, I noticed that our world is riddled with continual bugs, and many bizarre coincidences keep occurring. With our current scientific knowledge, we're unable to provide a rational explanation for many occurrences.
Coupled with my love for gaming, I gradually realised the resemblance between our reality and games. Similar to a grand role-playing game, life presents us with tasks to complete in specific locations or through interactions, to gather clues that help us advance to the next level. As we progress, we acquire new skills and maps, collect new props, and experience an expanded storyline.
Reflecting on the first 30 years of my life, I'd say I was an outright novice player, darting around the gaming world with a blend of curiosity and courage. Though I made continuous mistakes, with good fortune and luck on my side, I managed to navigate through it all.
Now, I consider myself to have advanced to the level of an intermediate player, having mastered some rules, equipped with the necessary gear, sharpened my perception of clues, and even had some advanced players guiding me. Thus, these past few years have been a smooth sailing journey.
However, every game isn't always plain sailing, and life is no exception. When I feel 'stuck' in a game or in life, I carefully assess if there's something I've overlooked or failed to communicate, which may be impeding progress. At such times, it's crucial to pay close attention and reflect on the surrounding environment and details (whether through meditation, journaling, or simply talking with others), then swiftly identify clues to advance the game's storyline.
While indulging in the current map can be entertaining, it's vital not to overlook the broader perspective. Picture this: the game map is intricately laid out, populated by key characters, and we're the sole players navigating its terrain. Our task is to unlock specific levels, triggering the assignment of tasks by Non-Player Characters (NPCs), thus expanding the game map accordingly. When we find ourselves unprepared yet determined to face the ultimate challenge—the big boss—can we truly anticipate a favourable outcome?
Some games are destined to fail, meant for us to learn from, much like Tetris; while others necessitate collaboration to achieve goals, such as League of Legends. Each of us functions as both a player and a game designer, adjusting to the game's difficulty level through continuous experience.
Just as in an escape room game, sometimes we find ourselves dropped into an unfamiliar environment, clueless and in chaos until we uncover clues to find the exit; or resembling a game like World of Warcraft, we lack instructions, needing to explore, create, learn constantly, and cooperate. The pinnacle of humanity lies in the ability to self-guide, self-entertain, and play on our terms.
M recent podcast guest, Devin Martin, a renowned life coach, highlighted that individuals who successfully attained both "wealth and happiness" typically displayed versatility and adeptness in the art of "play." They didn't limit themselves to conventional professional domains but rather pursued their curiosity, fostering holistic growth, and even nurtured interests and hobbies beyond their primary vocation.
Our existing educational and corporate systems frequently restrict people within a limited framework. We're obligated to work tirelessly within these constraints, sacrificing valuable time that could be devoted to our interests and hobbies. Becoming really good at a certain subject or skill could help you land a job and move up the career ladder. But what happens next? Those got you there might not be enough to take you further. Consequently, we see many people feeling stuck and unfulfilled, unable to progress.
Think back to when we were young - we'd draw, sing, and dance, completely absorbed in activities that made time fly. Even as adults, we find ourselves drawn to activities that bring us joy, regardless of any external rewards. If you're finding that you lack interests and hobbies outside of work, it might be a sign that your curiosity has dimmed. It's time to challenge yourself to try new things, pay attention to your inner feelings, and reconnect with those activities that spark your passion.
Steve Jobs credited the elegant design of Apple products to his college studies in calligraphy and his lifelong devotion to Zen Buddhism, which influenced his approach to product design. Similarly, British mathematician John Conway drew inspiration from his pastime of playing games, culminating in his groundbreaking discovery of the "Game of Life". Even among the chaos of World War II, Winston Churchill sought solace and found inspiration in hobbies such as bricklaying and painting.
These parallel skills often have unexpected effects on the career development of leaders, providing stress relief, adding enjoyment to life, or subtly influencing their way of thinking. Artists, in particular, are known for their ability to predict the future better than experts, as they often operate in a flow state, generating fresh insights from fixed, outdated systems.
Those who master the art of play hold a special charm! While some may see playing as easy, imagine being asked to play every day – soon, fear and boredom would inevitably creep in. We tend to view playing as unproductive, leading to restlessness and inner guilt, pushing us to seek other activities.
It's common for adults to hear phrases such as, "You're all grown up now, yet you still play with dolls or video games." For those who were deprived of playtime during their childhood, the absence of a carefree upbringing leaves a significant void. As we mature and attain financial independence, we may either lose our connection to play or succumb to societal pressures, resulting in a lifetime devoid of genuine playfulness. The prospect of such a scenario is quite dreadful to think about.
At this point, I'm reminded of John Conway's mathematical invention, the "Game of Life" again. This creation illustrates how simple rules can lead to the emergence of complex patterns and structures within the model. My recent studies on the "I Ching" also reveal a similar adaptation; simple rules can derive complex programmes, and even predict our reality. These findings are not only significant in the fields of mathematics and computer science but also provide new perspectives and methods for understanding natural laws and human behaviour.
Perhaps life's game doesn't have many complex rules; "随心所欲不逾矩 (pursue what my heart desired without crossing ethical boundaries)” might be one of the most fundamental rule, summarised by our ancestors thousands of years ago.
So, how can we make this game of life more interesting? I came across a summary by George Mack, which could provide some insights:
Whilst indulging in gaming can certainly trigger a state of flow, causing time to slip away unnoticed, it often doesn't result in the kind of meaningful flow that generates value. As my online mentor,
, frequently emphasises, there's a common misconception surrounding the notion of "following your heart/bliss".If you allow your ego to dictate your path without considering how it aligns with the value required in our world, you may find yourself heading in the wrong direction. True creative fulfilment and a life of both wealth and happiness are only attainable when you blend your talents, interests, and societal demands harmoniously.
Pondering on my journey, I'm struck by the profound richness that arises from embracing life's game-like essence. Having delved into CrossFit for nearly a year now, I found this “game within a game” plays a vital role in cultivating my mind and body alignment. I've boldly participated in three competitions - two local events in Lisbon and one global Open. Despite my less-than-stellar performance, the practical lessons I've learned far outweigh any textbook knowledge.
I must admit, I've always tended to take shortcuts in life. While relying on my wit has served me well thus far, I'm fully aware that to progress further, to reach greater heights, one requires a strong foundation. Participating in CrossFit has presented me with a wonderful opportunity to start from scratch - gradually increasing weights, and mastering gymnastic movements one step at a time.
While some may assume my dedication to CrossFit is primarily for physical fitness, the truth is, it's always been about cultivating mental resilience for me. Every day, I face my fears of heavy weights and complex gymnastic moves, striving to push my limits a little further - and more often than not, to my surprise, I manage to overcome them. Once again, I am amazed by the immense power of the mind, gaining a deeper understanding of the "Reality Distortion" phenomenon experienced by Steve Jobs.
Bruce Lee once said,
“Kung fu is practiced not just to smash stones or wood boards, but to have an impact on our thinking and way of life.”
“I fear not the man who has practiced 10,000 kicks once, but I fear the man who has practiced one kick 10,000 times.”
There are no shortcuts in the world; there are only countless repetitions of mundane exercises. I recall a young man recently challenging David Goggins and posting a video of him defeating Goggins online. David's response was enlightening:
In a recent race I did, a young man got me and ran his mouth. Took it to social media. Well, young man, I wasn’t going to say anything but since you put it out there so proudly and beat your chest, I hope you enjoy the video.
I have been showing up to the start line of races like this for years- with knees that need to be drained before and after, shit taped up, etc.
It puts a smile on my face to know that a 49 year old, half-assed David Goggins can still be the carrot for some of you motherfuckers!
Everyone can achieve victory at least once, but the true test lies in whether you can endure through the storms until the end of life's game.
As highlighted earlier by George Mack, a key aspect of mastering the game of life is converting qualitative feedback into measurable metrics, continuously refining one's strategy through sensible evaluations. CrossFit offers the advantage of participating in competitions as needed to assess one's progress.
Competition has always spurred me on, pushing me to confront my limits and internal barriers to success. I hold a deep respect for my competitors, seeing them as mirrors that reveal hidden aspects of myself. Whether in competitive arenas or intimate relationships, these interactions uncover inner obstacles. As the saying goes, in competition, there's no one else on the field but yourself.
Finally, I want to emphasise the enduring wisdom of this saying: Don't give up easily; everything will eventually turn out well.
I remember three weeks ago when I made my way back to my CrossFit box after a three-month break. It was disheartening to find that I couldn't perform my favourite burpees without pause, and even a few box jumps left my legs sore. Adding to that frustration was the fact that I had participated in the CrossFit Open without proper preparation, leaving me feeling utterly defeated.
Experiencing the loss of something I once prided myself on was truly disheartening. Fortunately, during that challenging period, the support from my CrossFit comrades and my dear friends kept me from spiralling into severe self-sabotage.
Today, I achieved my personal record once again, feeling the strength and skill return to my hands. I'm thankful that this time, I didn't give up too easily, as I had in the past when setbacks appeared. The satisfaction I feel now outweighs the frustration of the past three weeks.
I've gained a deeper understanding of what David Goggins said in Andrew Huberman's podcast: No matter if you've been bullied or not, one day the world will show you its cruelty. Build yourself into someone who can withstand any pressure in life. Trauma and destruction will come; you can't let it become a roadblock to your dreams.
Most people aren't defeated by major events but rather give up in seemingly insignificant moments, gradually weakening their true selves, step by step towards failure.
The greatest enemy of man is himself; don't let the voice in your head that repeats "I can't" control you, nor let the noise from the outside world hinder your progress. Find the hardships you are willing to endure, and then move forward under the weight.
If you always put limits on what you can do, physical or anything else, it’ll spread over into the rest of your life. It’ll spread into your work, into your morality, into your entire being.
There are no limits. There are plateaus, but you must not stay there, you must go beyond them. If it kills you, it kills you.
A man must constantly exceed his level.
— Bruce Lee
Life is absolutely a magnificent game, and just being an NPC in it hardly scratches the surface of fulfilment. I've been immersed in my own adventure for quite some time now, and along the way, I've stumbled upon some incredible resources that have enhanced my gameplay. I'm excited to share them with you in hopes that they'll add a splash of excitement to your journey and help you thrive in your own game.
Let's level up together :)
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Thank you for your always very interesting ideas Camilla. I need more time to think about and process the information here ... and also from music, dreams, games, metaphysical philosophy {connecting the creative process with spiritual perspective} where do you start with so much to do :)
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Loved this Camilla - you always have some great resource recommendations too. Thanks for the inspo :)