How many times have you heard “Life is a game”?  Well of course it is. And if you’re over 25 and reading this you’ll know what I mean when I say that the best players hone their skills through the classics such as….

Solitaire

Out of all games this is the one you need to play the best. Whatever cards you’re dealt, it’s up to you to make sense of them. The agony and the ecstasy of Solitaire is knowing that no two hands are ever the same.  The true Solitaire champion is the one who knows how to play them all.

Risk

Taking over the world is no easy task. A long session of Risk with the right players will teach you that world domination doesn’t happen overnight. Perseverance is key. Power moves require diplomacy, strategy and negotiation. Anybody who says otherwise doesn’t know how to play Risk.

Go Fish

A basic game but a classic one nonetheless. I have a love hate relationship with Go Fish as the only thing it really teaches you is that you will never really have your shit together. Something will always go wrong and you just have to learn to roll with the punches.

Real life metaphor: I recently moved and had helping hands confirmed, but they all bailed so I had to Go Fish for anyone with limbs willing to take pity on a single mom.

Lesson: I should have Gone Fishing on Kijiji in the first place for both movers and a better set of friends.

Monopoly

One minute you’ve got 4 railroads and enough money to buy your way out of jail and the next you’re selling off your thimble. Here is Buddhism at its best- nothing is permanent so you better not get too attached to your earthly possessions.

On a less existential level: Monopoly reminds us that owning is way better than renting- even if it’s owning Baltic Avenue/Skid Row.

Scrabble

In a world where communication has degenerated into emojis and “likes”, clear and articulate expression is more important than ever. Concise language that resonates with your given audience will always score you points.

The way I play scrabble with my grandfather vs. my child vs. my best friends is entirely different, but whatever I put down on the board has to be understood by all.

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I worry that in this age of too much screen time, these games and their invaluable lessons will be lost. This would be a huge loss for the next generation. The classics taught us humility, strategy, when to play together and when to play alone.

Fun Fact:  I am always the last to make a move. What does that say about me?