Florence Scovel Shin - Most people consider life a battle, but it is not a battle, it is a game

the Daily Quote

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4d ago 3:47

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Welcome to the Daily Quote – a podcast designed to kickstart your day in a positive way. I'm Andrew McGivern for November 19th.Today is National Play Monopoly Day – celebrating the board game that's been causing family arguments and teaching capitalism since 1935.Monopoly was created during the Great Depression by Charles Darrow, an unemployed salesman from Philadelphia. He hand-drew the board, carved the houses from wood, and sold it to Parker Brothers. It became the best-selling board game in America within a year and has since been sold in over 100 countries.What makes Monopoly endure isn't just the gameplay – it's what it teaches. Strategy, negotiation, risk assessment, and the harsh reality that landing on Boardwalk with a hotel can ruin your whole evening. It's capitalism in miniature, complete with bankruptcy, deal-making, and the occasional player flipping the board.Which brings us to today's quote from meta physical author Florence Scovel Shin who captured something essential when she wrote,"Most people consider life a battle, but it is not a battle, it is a game."Shinn's perspective shift is profound. When we see life as a battle, everything becomes adversarial – us versus them, win or lose, survival of the fittest.But games? Games have different energy. Games have rules but also creativity. Games can be competitive yet still fun. You can lose a game and play again tomorrow. Games require strategy, but they also allow for luck, surprise, and unexpected comebacks.Monopoly embodies this perfectly. Yes, you're competing. Yes, someone wins and someone loses. But you're still sitting around a table together, rolling dice, making deals, laughing when someone lands on Free Parking. The game itself is lighter than battle, even when you take it seriously.When we approach life as a game rather than a battle, we can strategize without becoming ruthless, compete without becoming enemies, and lose without being destroyed.Today, approach life like Monopoly, not war. Be strategic, yes. Compete, absolutely. But also negotiate, take chances, laugh at the unexpected rolls.Maybe literally play Monopoly tonight. Gather some people, roll the dice, make ridiculous trades. Remember what it feels like to play – to engage with challenge and competition while still enjoying the experience.Because Shinn was right. Life works better as a game. You can take it seriously and still have fun. You can lose a round and still play again. The point isn't just winning – it's playing well.That's going to do it for today. I'm Andrew McGivern signing off for now but I'll be back tomorrow. Same Pod time, same Pod Station - with another Daily Quote.

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