A Lot to Learn from LIFE

While on vacation a couple of weeks ago.  Oops. While on vacation a month ago, (Wow, has it been that long already?) I had a chance to play a game that I hadn't played in years. It was the game of LIFE. While playing, I discovered that there were differences between LIFE today and the LIFE I used to play with my sister when we were kids. I even joked around and began comparing it to real life. Then it actually got me thinking... The following is what I have learned about life from LIFE:

The Fantasies of LIFE

• Everyone gets married and there's no divorce.
• Everyone buys a house.
• A family only owns one car (Which you never had to pay for, doesn't require repairs or maintenance, and it lasts you your whole life).
• A car full of kids is quiet.
• Your friends and family can afford to shower you with thousands of dollars at your wedding and each time you have children. (And if not, then they will go into debt to do so.)
• You only have unexpected expenses if you land on the wrong tile.
• Everyone makes it through life to retirement.
• There's no bankruptcy.
• The bank is an endless supply of money; you never run out.
• Buying a house is as simple as picking out the one you like.
• Selling a house is as simple as handing the deed to the bank and receiving your money back.
• Houses always sell for the same or more than you originally paid for them, never at a loss.
• All of your debt is automatically paid off at retirement.
• Having the most money means you win.
• You have a choice about whether or not to play.

The Facts of LIFE

• Life is more expensive that it used to be. (I don't think this will garner any arguments. If it does, just kindly drive to the nearest gas station and attempt to fill up your tank for $15 as you may have done when I was a child.)
• Life is longer than it used to be. 
• Life is more complicated that it used to be. (Career and salary on the same card. There were fewer stops. You only bought one home. There weren't pay raises, etc.)
• College is crazy expensive, typically leaves you with a huge debt, does not guarantee that you make more money, and doesn't guarantee that you will even have or keep a career in your chosen field.
• You don't always get what you want out of life. (The career or salary you wanted may already be chosen. You could get fired. You might end up childless when you wanted to fill your car with those little pink and blue pegs.)
• Life without God is truly an empty game of chance depending entirely on the chance of the spin or the luck of the draw.
• Life without God becomes a singular quest to end up with the most money.
• Life experiences are valuable.
• Life is really a bunch of small steps and choices that determine how you end up at the end.
• In life, you have to pay attention or you just might miss out. (Who hasn't lost money because they didn't notice someone spun their number?)
• Some people speed through life, but then they reach the end before everyone else.
• Finishing life in first place doesn't mean you win.
• Children are expensive but you will wish you had more when you retire.
• Life is most enjoyable when you go through it with close friends and family. In fact...
• Life wouldn't be much fun if you go through it alone. In fact...
• Life without others just plain doesn't work.
• Oh, and last but not least...

the banker still has the coolest job. =D

 Got any of your own thoughts on LIFE? Please share!