Playing Games and Designing “Games”

Queen Katrina playing "Brave Cat"

Good Morning, God!

Yesterday I was at my Mom’s — playing cards with her. In order to get more fresh air into her apartment I turn off her A/C and open her sliding door and the door to the hall. This produces a nice air flow. It also allows my Mom’s Cat to venture out.

While we are playing cards and scrabble, my Mom’s cat plays “Brave Cat.”

She ventures out the door and sits there in the hall. Not too far into the hall. And she often looks back to check and make sure we are still there. If people down the hall make a noise or open their door she dashes back inside.

She’s a “scaredy cat” but she love playing “Brave Cat.”

Ah, God! Don’t we all love playing! Sometimes we even play “Brave.” What is that line from the King and I? “I whistle a happy tune and no one ever knows I’m afraid!”  [Click here to hear the song.] Asking preschoolers to “pretend” to be guards help them stand up straight and tall. Pretending and playing are basic elements of learning and growing.

Right now, I am pretending to be a guard at Buckingham Palace. I am sitting up straight in my chair — instead of slouching. And, much to my surprise, pretending does make it easier!  Roy Baumeister, in his book Willpower, says that doing even little things like sitting up nice and straight strengthens our Willpower.

But, to make a “game” of good posture requires a bit of thought. [I’m reading Game Frame and that may help.] I do know I’ll have to observe myself and figure out how to “keep score.” Please help me remember, God, that You designed us not just to be Game Players, but also to be Game Designers.

About a moment with god

Story teller,