Lament #0009 - Try playing life for a while.

I play games, how about you? I really enjoy them, too, although I'm less excited about Internet or video games, and more enjoy a good round of Twister most any day. Still, I play.

But I don't obsess over games.

I feel very much the same about games as I do about online relationships; they ain't healthy. At least not on a constant basis. Statistically, games are all about improving oneself, whether it be reflexes, memory, or any other sort of skill one can acquire by mastering a game. If we're speaking of RPGs (role playing games), it could be creative processing, writing or interaction with others. Games can be healthy, were meant to be healthy, in fact. But something went wrong. It usually does.

Games are about dealing with life. Not vice versa. It was never supposed to be, "When life gets you down, HIDE!" Of course, anything can cause you to ditch everyday life for an alternative; the Internet is one of today's loudest, most addictive distractions. But that's just it; things like games are distracting, and seem more and more to be keeping people away from life instead of teaching them how to deal with it.

I can't tell you how many blogs, livejournals and forums I've been to where someone has discussed the drama of their life only after they delightedly shared the drama of their games--usually RPG, but sometimes others. How much fan art and fiction are based on games? Again, there isn't anything wrong with enjoying what you enjoy, so long as you don't skip life for years of rolling a die or sharing a fictitious romance!

Despite the justifications we hear, addictions are harmful, and in most instances (not all, but most) gaming is an addiction. I have friends--wonderful friends--who are game addicts in the extreme. One in particular has wasted years when he could have been out gaining both education and social associations, but instead has chosen to remain aloof. I swear he's dating his Xbox. I'm just holding my breath for the wedding announcement.

I'm aware that most people, especially in my age group, enjoy games; whether RPGs, video games, or something else. Xbox, Wii, PS2--these are wonderful! It amazes me how far technology has advanced, and I love how much fun we can have. But I am sickened by the gross amount of time spent distracting our lives away.

If you would rather spend every free moment in front of a console than to go out, meet people, learn something, read a book, interact with your family, then something is wrong. Gamers seem to think that they should make a living off what they waste their time doing. And some do go out and make something of themselves--they create games, sell games or rate games! Grand for them; truly, I'm impressed. But what of the millions of others who don't? What will they do in ten years, when all their high school buddies have moved on, gotten educations, families, lives? Keep playing of course, because it's too late for life.

My prescription is the same as it is for online relationships--for anything, really. Take time off; learn something new. You know that game you learned on the Wii? Try learning it for real, outside (as long as it isn't the sniping one). Get in shape. Attend a class. Celebrate life, because, despite what others would have you think, life really is worth living. Sure, there are ups and downs alike--and sometimes the downs are steeper than the ups can seem to climb above, but give it time. Stay patient. Have a little faith.

If you were proud of beating that level ten monster, try beating life. It has a greater reward waiting at the end. Endure. You'll find no greater satisfaction than by sticking to life and living it well.