[MichaelRGaudet]

Hi Steve. I really enjoyed your blog entry. I agree that a healthy attitude is to think of life as a game. When I am approaching a very challenging situation, I make a conscious effort to think of it as an 'experiment', rather than engaging on a strictly personal level. I try to make calm observations and then draw my conclusions accordingly. This way, when things go differently than what was hoped for ( as they usually do) you are not disappointed...you are simply armed with bonus points of information based on the fresh new input.

Hope this doesn't sound too detached. I just find that this approach makes one more immune to discouragement. This in and of itself is quite challenging to do, because I am always tempted to let my emotions rule my response.

So I get a double benifit out of this approach, when I can pull it off. Healthier state of mind and a feeling of mastery over the oh-so-volitile emotional body.

My favorite quote from your article is:

"Your current level of engagement with life depends on how you evaluate yourself relative to the game of life. Are you bigger than the game, or is the game bigger than you?"

Thanks for this forum. I like it a lot.