The Game.

As I look down the road, with the proverbial spinner in hand, I think to myself: "What do I want to be?" I've already picked the longer of the two paths, which involved going to college, most likely resulting in a higher career path, higher base salary, the works.

I stare at the long, winding, colorful path in front of me, with all sorts of unknown surprises at every turn. Before I give that spinner a turn, I begin to ask questions. What color car am I going to have? When will I have a life-long companion? What kind of house will I have? Is insurance worth it? How many people will there be in that car that I'll be supposedly driving? How and when will I retire?

Taking a step back, I look up and realize what is truly important: the people I'm playing the game with. It doesn't matter what choices that they make, the different paths that everyone will inevitably will branch out on, the similarities and differences in the path that all starts with the same choice, and ends with retirement. The stuff in-between is where the fun comes in; fun comes not from lowering other people and disrespecting the choices they make, but rather, the process of everyone going through the process together, and the good/bad times that come from it. If you're not having fun while playing the game, you're probably playing the game wrong. The point is not to see who "wins," but rather how much you enjoyed the entire progression.

Looking back, I don't think anyone actually knows or can know the full extent of all the rules of the game. By definition, it's not possible for anyone to be completely sure of where they're going to end up, there are near-infinite opportunities, risks, chances lining the path. Each card that is drawn and choice that is made will affect those sitting around you, and thus affect what they do when it is their turn.

With everyone finally retired, we can look back and reflect on all the different achievements that we, as a group, accomplished, opportunities we missed, and choices we made. It's just better when everyone's played the game for the game, and not resorting to cheating and ruining the integrity of an otherwise clean game. It's been a good hour of fun.

Snapping back to reality, I realize the meaning of, "Live the cards you're dealt, and play the game [correctly]." I laugh to myself, and spin the spinner; I've come out preferring the company of those with me, who will also, in turn, spin the spinner for themselves.

Milton-Bradley sure got this one right.