Like many families, we played numerous board games over the holiday season. However, of all the games we enjoy, we rarely play Monopoly anymore. Now, it sits on the shelf collecting dust while every other game gets a holiday workout. 

Why?

Well, there are two reasons. First, it is a long game. It takes so much time to play it, and everyone seems to get burnt out after an extended period. 

The other reason is that Monopoly is ruthless. To win, you have to buy up all the property. You put up houses and hotels and try to bankrupt people. Your goal is not to help other people but destroy them. There is no room for others to succeed in their game for you to win. No one cheers on competitors because they are the enemy of your victory. Monopoly is about the total domination of everyone at the table. 

As a result, my family chooses to play games where we can laugh and cheer one another on during the competition. We play games like Uno, Yahtzee, and Apples to Apples. These end with a winner, but no one at the table feels like a loser.

When you think about your life, ask yourself this metaphorical question, “What game are you playing?”

Perhaps the old saying is correct, “It doesn’t matter if you win or lose; it is how you play the game.”