Play Life: Play with Purpose

— A Becoming Maverick Reflection

The Power of Play goes beyond entertainment—it’s a powerful tool for growth and learning. Through play, both children and adults develop creativity, problem-solving, communication, and emotional resilience. Psychologists and educators highlight how games mimic real-life situations, offering safe spaces to practice decision-making and strategy. Animals use play to learn survival skills, and humans sharpen social and cognitive abilities through it. Whether it’s the logic of chess, the teamwork in 30 Seconds, or the unpredictability of Ludo, play teaches adaptability and perseverance. When we play with purpose, we prepare for life’s challenges with wisdom, joy, and confidence. 

If life were a board game, which one would you describe as yours? On this journey of Becoming Maverick, I’ve discovered that games can give us valuable insights into life—and even help us develop and practice real-world strategies. Whether it’s chess, checkers, or snakes and ladders, every game reveals something deeper about how we think, relate, grow, win, or recover after setbacks.

I once had a conversation with a champion pool player named Mark. He said something that stopped me in my tracks:

“Most people play pool the same way they live. Their strategy on the table mirrors how they approach life.”

In other words, whether you're playing or living, you're revealing who you are.

Coming from a background in nature conservation, I’ve seen this reflected in the animal kingdom too. Many mammals teach their young how to survive through play. In my youth development work, I’ve noticed that the toys and games children gravitate toward often point toward their future passions or professions.

Psychologists confirm it: play is powerful. It’s where habits are born. It’s where character is tested. It’s where purpose begins to form.

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Life Lessons from the Games We Play

Over the years, I’ve reflected on what various board games have taught me. Each one holds a lesson—a metaphor for seasons in life. And no matter how simple or complex, every game reminds us that life requires awareness, adaptation, and a willingness to grow.

Sometimes Life Feels Like Drafts (Checkers)

Simple rules. Equal pieces. Straightforward moves. In these seasons, progress depends on consistent action. The lesson? Master the basics, respect the rhythm, and keep moving.

Other Times, It’s Like Chess

Every piece is different. The rules are more complex. Success requires focus, strategy, foresight, and the willingness to lose small battles for the sake of the bigger picture. Life in these moments teaches us to think, plan, and pause before we move.

Then There Are Scrabble Seasons

You must build—but only with what you have. You may not get the ideal “letters” in life, but creativity, knowledge, and timing can still bring victory. Scrabble reminds us that limitations don’t block success—they shape innovation.

Life Can Resemble Monopoly Too

High risk, high reward. It’s about ownership, negotiation, and long-term strategy. It teaches us about wealth, power, and the danger of greed. Monopoly moments in life push us to think like builders and investors.

Sometimes, It’s 30 Seconds

Fast-paced. Pressure-filled. Your team matters. Success depends on quick thinking, memory, communication, and chemistry. These seasons remind us that some wins require the right people, not just the right plan.

At Times, It’s Like Pictionary

You’re trying to understand what someone else is trying to say with very few tools. Miscommunication is likely, but empathy and patience make connection possible. This game reminds us that listening is an art, and understanding takes time.

Then There’s Ludo

You don’t control the dice. Life throws random challenges your way. But what matters is what you do with your turn. Even when you don’t get the number you wanted, there’s a strategy to move forward. Ludo reminds us to play smart — even when luck isn’t on our side.

And Let’s Not Forget Snakes & Ladders

You’re climbing, soaring, winning — and suddenly, you hit a snake. You fall hard, far, and fast. But you keep going. Because just as quickly, a ladder might appear and lift you higher than before. This game reminds us that failure is not final and fortune can turn in a single moment.

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So what’s the point, Maverick?

The point is this: life is a game, and it’s rich with lessons. Every game teaches us something different. Sometimes we need to play with logic. Sometimes with heart. Sometimes with courage. And sometimes, with hope.

Being a Maverick means recognising the season you’re in—and choosing the right strategy for that season. It means knowing that while you can’t control every roll of the dice, you can control your mindset, your preparation, and your response.

Life is exciting. It’s unpredictable. And it’s full of challenges. But with reflection, strategy, and purpose, we can rise to meet it.

So, Maverick, I’ll ask again:
If life were a game, which one are you playing right now?
Are you adapting to the board in front of you?
Are you playing with purpose, or simply passing time?

Becoming Maverick means mastering not just the game but yourself every time you step up to play.

Shalom!

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