by Nancy Oelklaus, Ed. D.

As a pastime, I play a game called brickbreaker on my Blackberry. I play it when I’m sitting in someone’s waiting room or just when I have a few spare minutes. It’s relaxing to me–a time for reflection as I notice my reactions to the dynamics of the game.

This morning a client was late to a meeting because of rain-snarled traffic. So I was playing brickbreaker, and these life lessons came to me, inspired by this little game.

1. Pay attention to your goal. Distraction destroys. (The object of the game is to keep the little ball in play, and when I take my eyes off the ball to look at the score or what’s happening in another part of the screen, I often miss.)

2. Value what you have while going for what you want. (“Pills” cascade down the screen, with different labels. I’m not fond of the one labeled “catch,” but it gets me extra points, so I take it. My favorites, though, are “life” and “laser.” So I take “catch” and use it to its best advantage while watching for “life” and “laser” to appear. I don’t resent “catch.”)

3. Avoid the temptations that throw you completely off track. (The pill labeled “flip” always makes me miss the ball.)

4. Be precise. “Almost” doesn’t win. (Enough said.)

5. Long life isn’t as valuable as patience and discipline.

Today, may you keep your eye on the ball and know that all is well.