I love video games.
Yes, this may come as a shock to you that a Mormon housefrau enjoys something other than canning and quilting (actually both things I know nothing about). Yes, I know there are more productive things I could be doing with my time. In fact, I used to be a tad reluctant to spill the beans about my spare time in case the other women at church turned their noses up at me (they haven't). So here comes the confession. I love video games.
I'm not a hardcore fanatic about it by any stretch of the imagination. I don't play World of Warcraft, or other games that include Chinese prisoner forced labour. I did not get dressed up for the midnight release of Skyrim. I went, but I did not get dressed up.
Strangely enough I believe my love for video games comes from my love for books. I could read before I went into Junior Kindergarten (the Ontario equivalent of Pre-School) and ever since I've been voracious. I love throwing myself into the world created for me by an author. I love discovering new places and people from the comfort of my arm chair. I've been known to get a book, sit down, and not get up again until I've finished. I would read in between classes at school, on the bus on the way to work, on my breaks at work, while eating, while folding laundry, while making supper, and so on and so forth.
Stemming from this love of losing myself in a story is a love of RPGs (role-playing games). A good way to describe this love is to describe how Brian and I differ in the ways we play video games. We'll use Skyrim as an example.
When we got Skyrim Brian and I were both super stoked. We had played Oblivion and loved it, and had been anticipating Skyrim for months. We decided we would take turns playing our characters and that we would only play if the other person was there as well, so that we wouldn't miss anything while the other was playing. This was excruciatingly hard for me.
Hey look, a butterfly!
Brian loves taking things slow. He'll start the main quest, but the first chance he has to run into a nearby cave or tower and he's off like a shot. He always does the faction quests before finishing the main one, and loves doing as many side quests as possible. Oh, he'll get around to doing the main quest, but not before exhausting almost every dialogue option from every character in every town on the map.
Hey look, a dragon!
I, on the other hand, am much more interested in the story. I want to see what happens. Will the dragons take over Skyrim? Will Alduin become a tyrant dragon lord again? How does this all turn out? If it were up to me I would have sat down and played nothing but the main quest line until it was finished.
...It's funny how writing sometimes takes on a life of its own. I had intended this post to just be a post about how much video games are awesome, but now I've come to realize that the way we play video games are the way we each live our lives.
Brian takes his time with things. He enjoys the little moments. He appreciates the day to day monotony of life, because that's what life really is.
I tend to rush through things. I am always looking towards the end of whatever is happening. I spend my day doing stuff until Brian gets home from work, rather than doing stuff and then "Oh, hey, Brian is home from work!" I need to slow down and enjoy the little things. In fact, this reminds me of a talk this General Conference given by President Dieter F. Uchtdorf entitled "Of Regrets and Resolutions."
My wife, Harriet, and I love riding our bicycles. It is wonderful to get out and enjoy the beauties of nature. We have certain routes we like to bike, but we don’t pay too much attention to how far we go or how fast we travel in comparison with other riders.
However, occasionally I think we should be a bit more competitive. I even think we could get a better time or ride at a higher speed if only we pushed ourselves a little more. And then sometimes I even make the big mistake of mentioning this idea to my wonderful wife.
Her typical reaction to my suggestions of this nature is always very kind, very clear, and very direct. She smiles and says, “Dieter, it’s not a race; it’s a journey. Enjoy the moment.”
How right she is!
Sometimes in life we become so focused on the finish line that we fail to find joy in the journey. I don’t go cycling with my wife because I’m excited about finishing. I go because the experience of being with her is sweet and enjoyable.
Doesn't it seem foolish to spoil sweet and joyful experiences because we are constantly anticipating the moment when they will end?
Do we listen to beautiful music waiting for the final note to fade before we allow ourselves to truly enjoy it? No. We listen and connect to the variations of melody, rhythm, and harmony throughout the composition.
Do we say our prayers with only the “amen” or the end in mind? Of course not. We pray to be close to our Heavenly Father, to receive His Spirit and feel His love.
We shouldn't wait to be happy until we reach some future point, only to discover that happiness was already available—all the time! Life is not meant to be appreciated only in retrospect. “This is the day which the Lord hath made … ,” the Psalmist wrote. “Rejoice and be glad in it.”
Brothers and sisters, no matter our circumstances, no matter our challenges or trials, there is something in each day to embrace and cherish. There is something in each day that can bring gratitude and joy if only we will see and appreciate it.
I think I need to be more present in the moment and less worried about the outcome. I need to enjoy my little family while they're little instead of looking forward to retirement. Appreciate each little tickle and giggle. Savor every cuddle from my precious baby. That will be my challenge to myself. I'll let you know how I do.
Until next time... enjoy the moment.
Until next time... enjoy the moment.
