How A Game Helped Me To Rethink My Life
Play this and find out what is the most important thing in your life
I was 20 when I joined a development day at my university. And I will never forget the game we played that day.
We were sitting on the grass, and each of us got three paper cards.
“What are the three most important things in your life? Think about it carefully and write them down on each of the paper cards,” said the instructor.
I took some time to think about it.
There were so many important things in my life. It was hard to decide.
These are my decision in the end: My mom, my best friend, and my academic achievement.
“When you are ready, turn your paper cards upside down and put them in front of you.” said the instructor.
“Now, if you have to give up one of these things in your life, which one are you going to give up? Pick that one card, tear it, and throw it in the trash.”
I was shocked by this instruction. I didn’t expect that when I wrote my cards.
All three cards were very important to me. But still, it was a relatively easy decision at that moment.
I picked up the card with the name of my best friend, tore it without a second thought, and threw it into the trash.
“Now, you should have only two cards in front of you.” The instructor said. “Unfortunately, you will have to pick only one. Decide on which one is more important to you. Tear the less important one and throw it into the trash.”
THAT WAS HARD.
I had to pick between my mom and my academic achievement.
In the last 15 years, I was always the best in schools. I studied like crazy. I was hardworking. I deserved what I had at that time: to be admitted to one of the best programs in one of the best universities in Hong Kong.
I did not want to give this up. My academic achievement was the thing that I was most proud of in my life.
But, I could not tear the card with my mom written on it.
I mean, who could do that?
I did not have the best relationship with my mom back then.
I was so happy that I finally moved away from home and lived on campus at that time.
My mom was getting on my nerves all the time.
But that did not mean I could tear her card.
It was a real struggle. The instructor gave us enough time for our deep thinking.
I did not think it was easy for anybody else neither.
We were all thinking hard about which one we should give up.
I knew I was selfish. I did not want to give up my academic achievement, which was what defined me at that time.
I started to think about it more logically.
Could I achieve so great academically without my mom?
Who supported me with all the tuition fees all these years so that I could study and perform well in schools?
Who gave me a chance to live this life?
The answer was obvious.
Without my mom, I would not have everything I had now.
My mom was definitely more important, even though we did not always get along.
I decided to pick up the card with my academic achievement, tear it, and throw it in the trash.
Well, I was nothing without my mom.
She is the most important thing in my life.
Playing this game allowed me to rethink my life.
Sometimes, we are so busy or so focused on what is in front of us. And we forget about what is most important to us.
When you know what is most important to you, take action to treasure it.
Do not take it for granted. It may not be there all the time.
After the game, I had a clear mind.
My mom is always the most important person to me, no matter what.
