It's Battle Time Baby

I am an *avid* game player. I love challenges, strategy, and having fun. I work hard and I like to play hard too. I go for it on all levels. Games help motivate me and keep me surging forward consistently.

Recently, after getting bored of the farming games and mafia war games (which I only tried in the first place because I judged them and wanted to figure out what the heck people were raving about so much), I shopped around for something new to try. I was bored.

My favorite gaming platform is the iPhone as it's always with me and I can download seemingly infinite games to suit my current fancy. Unfortunately I don't know any of my real friends who are as into games as I, so I'm usually on my own to figure out what is the next new fun thing to try.  I was looking for something that could keep me interested and intrigued....

After some perusing, I found one that had warnings in its reviews from its users claiming that you should not try it because you’ll get sucked into a vortex of fun and you won't be able to escape it. Stay away, they warned. You won’t be able to put it down.

So of course, this absolutely drew me into the free download - immediately. I checked it out.

Just now I am rising for a breath of air, exactly one month to the day after beginning, and I am totally in love with the game. I feel energized by it on many levels. It helps spark me creatively in lots of ways with various deep parallels to my real life.  It is a lot of fun not only because it is so applicable but also because of the elements of being a massive multiplayer online role playing game (aka MMORPG - in which game play is very much involved with others) and it contains a time element that draws you back in throughout the day.

This is amazingly ironic for me because I NEVER would have guessed I’d end up playing a war game. I have previously avoided conflict all together. I stuck to the light side of things; I was dogmatically positive - almost as a means of survival, but hidden under a cloak of "preference".

Then I realized that integration is key. Integration is true balance and contains everything, all of it. Nothing is left out. And what’s fascinating is that I feel more “positive” or truly happy since merging with the negative or dark side of myself rather than disowning it or being ashamed of it. The things I saw as bad are understood, valued, and worked on. They are divine breadcrumbs to my biggest opportunities for growth and healing.

Anyway, through this game, I’ve expanded my understanding of the beauty and art of battle.  Actually I truly enjoy being in battles and am excited to learn more advanced strategies.

War is the facing of two extremes for a grand reconciliation. It's the ultimate dance off, you could say. In which, after the destruction, brings a fresh ground for re-birth. From this new, empty space the side that “lost” can build something even better with their hard-earned new knowledge and experience.  And what’s amazing is that not only are so many lessons learned about what could have been done better by each (if they pay attention at all without letting their ego consume them completely), there is often a mending between the two sides. Compassion from the attacker more easily arises once things have evened out and admiration from the defeated may grow as well. Friendships may rise if both are true warriors; a respect is gained.

So… happy battling. Enjoy the dance. Always remember Strength and Honor™.

PS - If you're interested in the game name, just send me a quick email and I'll tell you.  I don't want to have it posted for everyone to see, but am happy to share individually.  It can be played online as well. :)

by Danielle Crume © 2009