Little Jeremy is very excited, he arrives at his school’s fair with his Dad.
The party has already started.
Banners above the heads, rhythmic music in the background, children running from one game workshop to another, with the parents trying to follow them as best they can.
Bag races, ring toss, tug of war, …
Jeremy looks in all directions without knowing where to start!
His Dad pointed out another workshop a little further on, where children were simply dancing to music.
– No, that’s not good,” said Jeremy dismissively.
– Oh, but you like to dance in your room while listening to music, don’t you?
– Daddy! This is different, we’re at school! Come on, let’s do this!
Little Jeremy pulls his daddy’s arm towards a workshop of small pedal cars. Obstacles punctuate a course and the winner receives a bonus point.
Jeremy settles in and takes his place at the starting line. He pedals as fast as he can, rounds the obstacles and crosses the finish line… in second place.
Jeremy is upset.
He decides to get back in line to race again.
His turn comes, the race starts and Jeremy finishes … in third place.
– That’s too bad, let’s do something else! said Jeremy, his face closed.
Jeremy then moves on to the ring toss.
The game consists of throwing rings around pegs on the ground. Each peg earns a certain number of points. Over 50 points, the player earns a good point.
Jeremy prepares himself and takes a ring in hand, tongue out in the corner of his mouth to help him concentrate.
He throws once, then again, then again.
45 points.
His dad congratulates him on his throws, but little Jeremy is not satisfied.
He decided to try again, but again, 40 points.
And so the afternoon continued for Jeremy, with more and more frustration as he tried more games.
Sure, he managed to get a good point on the tug-of-war, but that “doesn’t count” quite as he was on a team.
And his frustration grows when he sees other kids counting their pile of good points in the yard.
His Dad suggests he get a cotton candy.
– No, cotton candy sucks! says Jeremy.
– Ah, well, if you don’t want it, that’s okay, but I’ll take one! replied his Dad, who started walking towards the stand.
Jeremy hid his surprise and caught up with him.
When it was time to order, his dad nodded to him to see if he wanted one anyway.
– Two cotton candies, please! he asks.
– Are you having fun? his dad asks.
They are sitting on a bench, a little away from the playground.
– hmmmm … not so much, Jeremy replies with a closed face.
– Why not?
– Because I’ve only earned one good point! says Jeremy with a tight throat.
– Did you come here to have fun or to earn points?
– But look at all the other kids, they have lots of good points, said Jeremy, sweeping his hand across the yard.
– You didn’t answer my question.
– What was your question?
– Did you come here to have fun or to earn points?
Jeremy pauses.
– To have fun, Jeremy finally admitted.
– So which game can you have the most fun in?
Jeremy pauses again.
– The music one…
– Why don’t we do that then?
– Because there’s no good point to it!
– And remind me why we came again? asked Dad with a smile.
– To have fun, said Jeremy, bowing his head.
– So, what game are you going to play?
For more than an hour, Dad has been waiting on a bench, watching his son.
Jeremy dances endlessly, song after song, a smile on his face…
And you?
Are you aware of the game you are playing in Life?
Did you choose it consciously or is it a default choice?
What is your real intention?
Is there another game that is more in line with your intention?
