God Uses Tetris

To all those young men with whom I went to college-

To whom I gave withering glares and chiding rebukes for their consistent indulgence in often-overnight computer games-

To whom I gave no mercy when they swore that this behavior really was somehow improving their minds, bodies, and reflexes (because I thought this was a lame excuse for wasting your life, one night at a time, in virtual competition):

I sincerely apologize. I am a hypocrite. I have re-discovered Tetris.

Mostly as a cure for insomnia, as a mind-dulling aid to shutting off my brain at night, I will play a game or two. Never fear, I’m not an addict. I haven’t even beaten any of the internet players’ high scores. (Yet.) But, it has been an enlightening journey, mostly because I could never let something so simple as a game of Tetris remain... simple. *dry grin* And because nothing, ever, fully dulls my mind.

Hence, in the past couple weeks, between rounds of Tetris, I composed the following list of life-impacting truths, typically codified during that moment of mind-clearing relief when a long, red piece finally appears.

So, I thought I’d share it. *wink*

Life Lessons From Tetris

1. Building a solid foundation will pay off. Always.

2. Accordingly, whiny objections to the pieces you are given do not in any way functionally offset holes in your foundation. They just make you grumpier.

3. The necessary, perfectly-matching piece will come. Eventually. So... wait for it.

4. When Rule # 3 proves itself too late, and you are four moves away from losing - think creative thoughts. Very creative thoughts. There’s a reason they call these ‘manipulatives.’

5. Good strategy is long-term strategy.

6. Prioritize. Multiple, simultaneous, conflicting needs are a fact of life. Decide which gap needs the current piece most.

7. No single mistake is fatal. Recurrent ones, however, can be.

8. If you do make a genuine mistake, don’t panic or kick yourself. Just refocus, and correct it.

9. Impatience will wreck you, every time.

10. The game is never over until it’s over.

11. However, when the game is over, close the window, smile, and go to sleep. Do not play again. Let it go. After all – Tetris is not life.

It’s only a game.