Rules for the Game of Life
by Ron Kurtus (revised 16 June 2001)
If you want to be a champion in what you do—a winner, a leader, a success—you really should have a good perspective on life and what it is all about. Nothing is sadder than the successful person who has no meaning in his or her life.
The book If Life is a Game, These are the Rules by Cherie Carter-Scott provides a truly interesting philosophy toward life that is worth examining.
Questions you may have include:
- Where do I get an idea of what life is about?
- What type of rules or principles are there to follow?
- Will this give me a new perspective?
This lesson will answer those questions.
10 principles
The concept of the book is that there are 10 basic principles in life. Within these principles are rules that define a philosophy toward living a full life, achieving goals and overcoming obstacles—all essential in becoming a champion.
These principles for life are:
- You will receive a body
- You will be presented with lessons
- There are no mistakes, only lessons
- A lesson is repeated until learned
- Learning does not end
- "There" is no better than "here"
- Others are only mirrors of you
- What you make of your life is up to you
- All your answers lie inside of you
- You will forget all of this at birth
What the principles mean
The following is a summary of these 10 principles:
1. You will receive a body
When you are born, you get a specific body. It isn't perfect, but it is the only body you've got. Some people aren't happy about their looks, their weight, or physical imperfections. Others abuse their bodies with drugs, alcohol, and tobacco.
Don’t be ashamed of your body, take care of it, and enjoy it.
2. You will be presented with lessons
Anything that happens to you—good or bad—happens as a lesson for you to learn. Don't be a victim of circumstances. Rather, take the choice of learning from things.
3. There are no mistakes, only lessons
Even when you make a mistake or do something wrong, you should think of it as a lesson to learn. Don't criticize yourself or others for mistakes. Use them to learn.
4. A lesson is repeated until learned
If you continue to make the same mistake, you will continue to be challenged by problems from which you must learn a lesson. This will happen until you finally catch on.
5. Learning does not end
Since life is a journey, there are things for you to learn until the end. You are a perpetual student of life. That is what makes it so interesting and so much fun to be alive.
6. "There" is no better than "here"
Don’t think that by achieving your goals, you will be any happier. You should be grateful for what you have and enjoy each day. The grass is not necessarily greener on the other side of the fence.
7. Others are only mirrors of you
The faults and traits you see in other people are often what you see in yourself. Thus, you should be tolerant of other people and supportive toward them.
8. What you make of your life is up to you
Life is what you make it. Others—including the government—may try to influence your life, but you are ultimately in control of how you respond to them. Take responsibility for what you do and what happens to you.
Make life an adventure. Enjoy and appreciate what you have.
9. Your answers lie inside of you
You possess the internal wisdom to answer all the answers you seek. You should trust yourself and your intuition. Achieving wisdom is the basis of life.
10. You will forget all of this at birth
Are we born again to live another life? Perhaps. Unfortunately, we forget everything we learned (at least consciously) and must start again with new lessons.
Summary
Feeling good about yourself, looking at life as a lesson, and taking responsibility are some of the 10 "rules" that explain what life is about. At the very least, they can give you a special perspective on your life.
Honesty is important
Resources and references
The following resources provide information on this subject.
Websites
Books
(Notice: The School for Champions may earn commissions from book purchases)
If Life is a Game, These are the Rules by Cherie Carter-Scott, Broadway Books, 1998 ($15.00) Well-written little book that gives a good philosophy of life
Top-rated books on Success in Life
Students and researchers
The Web address of this page is:
www.school-for-champions.com/life/
rules_for_the_game_of_life.htm
Please include it as a link on your website or as a reference in your report, document, or thesis.
Where are you now?
Rules for the Game of Life