I have been playing Candy Crush on my iPad every day without fail for a few months but only recently I realised that the Candy Crush game is just like LIFE. Candies are like obstacles in life that we face.
When we start playing it, the first few levels are like carefree childhood. We keep crossing the levels in first attempts smoothly without any problems just like as a kid, one keeps frolicking around with no stress. Failure is not an option and the idea of stress is nowhere in the mind. We just keep trodding along enjoying the success. As we reach the further levels, realisation strikes that the obstacles are also there in life.
When i am not able to cross the level, it asks us a question “Are you sure you want to give up?” And gives me an option of purchasing help. (Very similar to attractive but dangerous shortcuts) The self reliant mind of mine doesn’t allow me to spend money for help in a recreation game and the competitive mind of mine gets raged when I click on “yes, I want to give up”. I can’t wait to try again and cross the level. Sometimes, I am crushing the game and so near to crossing the level and I become casual, end up losing the level just by minimum margin. That’s overconfidence. Sometimes, I see no hope of winning and suddenly I keep getting magical candies and I cross the levels with turns remaining. All the pieces of the jigsaw puzzle fall into place. But it happens only because I was trying. That’s the key.
Also, when I keep crossing levels smoothly, the game keeps supporting and awarding me with magical and helpful candies. (very similar to people around us in good times) when I am not able to cross a level in many attempts, the helpful free support is not there any more with me. I start wondering whether that level can be crossed or not. I start doubting myself. I feel pushed to a corner but the competitive edge inside of me keeps coming back to try again and again. The more I play that level, the more I understand the level and my mind starts troubleshooting. When I figure out the problems, I get unexpected help also. After a lot of trials and attempts, I am able to cross the level and then the self confidence increases, will and urge to grow forward increases. Mind gets attuned to think in the mode of troubleshooting. Then the intensity of troubles increases as I go on with further levels but so does my competitive and inquisitive mind. In between the difficult levels, I get some easy levels which encourage me to keep moving. Sometimes I enjoy easy levels but the competitive me wants to be challenged and that’s what life is. If one learns how to deal with challenges, the journey of life becomes fulfilling. Life throws challenges at everyone all the time. Each and every person is fighting a battle of his own. Everyone’s struggle is different but each one is struggling, so never judge anyone.
The path to our goals is not like a sprint. It is like a marathon. You only lose when you quit. Never quit and keep crushing candies…..
Love
NC