What I am reflecting?
I attended a panel session this week, and the topic of conversation was “How to Embrace Change in Your Life.” It was a great session, with insightful exchanges from the panel speakers.
One phrase that really struck me was: “Life is a game.” One of the panelists explained, “Change is like starting a new game at level 0.”
That doesn’t mean we’re starting from scratch. In fact, when we begin a new game, we carry with us skills from the previous one—skills that can be useful in this new phase.
That idea really resonated with me. What a powerful reframing: Life is about playing the game.
And it clicked—I used to love games when I was younger. I would be glued to the computer screen every day, sometimes even forgetting to attend class!
Right after that, a picture of my children popped into my mind. One image stood out: my daughter climbing the stairs.
How does that relate to the idea of a game?
When she first started her “game” of stair-climbing, she had no concept of falling. No limits. No fear of what she could or couldn’t achieve. She was fresh, curious, and joyful. She looked back at me, smiling as she climbed.
She was having fun.
I remember she did fall once, but she was okay. When she was younger, her body was lighter, and those small falls were easier to recover from. This is her, right now, living her level 0 moment.
That made me reflect; What was my level 0 like?
Back then, there weren’t so many expectations. I didn’t hurt physically or mentally the way I might now. I didn’t feel much shame or embarrassment either. And that was okay.
Wouldn’t it be nice to reframe life this way; even now, at level 99 in the game of life, I can choose to start a new game, if i want to. I can adopt a level 0 mindset—full of curiosity, joy, and light-heartedness. I can lower the pressure and let passion and commitment carry me forward to the next level.
This was an enlightening realization: you can choose your life’s game. And it’s perfectly okay to start at level 0.
Because this journey might be a lot more interesting if you’re playing the game you truly want to play. Your imagination is your only limit.
Quote I’m pondering
“If opportunity doesn’t knock, build a door.”
– Milton Berle
Affirmation I used
Opportunities and advantages come with every door that I open.