Twists and Turns in the Game of Life

April 25, 2023

Estimated Reading time: 4 minutes

Hey Sweet Friends,

When I think about the childhood game Life, the concept resonates in my daily thoughts, my hourly thoughts, my thoughts each second of my life. As we take our game piece and begin this new foreign stage as a newborn, we start our journey of Life. LIFE…..BREATH… BEING ALIVE….. Initially under the care of our caretakers we begin to make steps on the gameboard. Similar to the game, our lives are filled with physical steps, emotional steps, social steps, spiritual steps. These steps can lead us in so many directions that it can be hard to navigate. Which path do I take? Am I going the wrong way?

Just be present.

When positive things find themselves in our lives, it feels like we are taking GIANT leaps on the gameboard…. We feel this sense of appreciation, confidence, and self love…. we feel like we could conquer the world….. we feel like we were created for a purpose. Depending on the phase of life that we are in, those giant leaps can be anything from the joy we get from taking our first steps to driving our car for the first time by ourselves. As caregivers, that win might be the first time our newborn sleeps through the night…… and oh how good that feels!!! With all of those joys, we feel like we are moving forward… with a view that our life is making daily gains.

You and your child have a purpose.

At the same time, life can often bring us moments of doubt and uncertainty. “Did I make the right decision?” “Should I have done that differently?” As caregivers, this might look like “Did I give my baby solid foods too soon?” “Should I have breast fed instead of using formula?” Should I have let her go?” At the time, these questions can seem so important that it overtakes our being. We want so much for our children to have the best we can offer with the best decisions available. Each decision can almost seem like a daunting life or death situation.

Remembering that you have a calling to be a parent can reignite your soul to continue realizing that life is always going to be a series of moving forward and backward on the gameboard of life. Whether your child wears shoes at one year of age or goes barefoot for a little longer, or isn’t as social as other kids, or is the rowdy kid, or is trying to fit in, or makes bad grades, or doesn’t have friends yet, or doesn’t listen in school, REMEMBER you were given a calling and so was your child. Reminding ourselves that we were created on purpose for a purpose can help us to see that all of these forward and backward moves in life are actually helping to stitch us as a person and strengthen us.

Seek advice from someone you trust that is no longer in that phase of life.

While it may be comforting to seek guidance from fellow caregivers who are going through the same challenges, there is a unique perspective that comes from someone who has already experienced the path you are on. Just as we often try to protect our children from experiences because we know that everything will be okay and that the heartache is not worth it, caregivers who have passed through that phase can offer a similar reminder and reassurance.

Bonus: One day, you will have the opportunity to be that source of support and guidance for someone else.

Key Takeaways:

1.) Our lives are filled with physical steps, emotional steps, social steps, spiritual steps.

2.) We will make steps forward and backwards “on the gameboard of life.”

3.) Remember that you and your child have a purpose and were created for a reason.

4.) Remember to look to the generations before you to help you navigate life.

5.) Be sure to read my post “Finding Our Village in a Busy World.” There are some great insights on finding your people to navigate life with!

With love and support,

Rooting for You

As you go about your day, your week, your month, your year, remember that you were created on purpose for a purpose and so was your child.