Games families will play

Families that are far more organized
than ours have regular Game Nights. For us, the playing of games is usually
sparked by the question, “So you wanna play a game or
somethin’?” Remarkably, this happens with some regularity,
so we are always on the lookout for a good game that requires a minimum of
electricity and provides a maximum of fun. We do not denigrate competition and
we like a game that interests everyone in the household, including guests of
various ages (and attention spans).

In the interest of sharing, here are
some of our better discoveries. The list goes beyond the usual manufacturers,
but you ought to be able to order them through any of the local specialty
stores or on the Internet (imagine that).

Fluxx (Looney Labs): “the card
game with ever-changing rules”; truly fun for all ages because every turn gives
you the opportunity to change the rules on your parents and really annoy them.

The
Settlers of Catan (Mayfair Games): “a game of
discovery, settlement, and trade”; wooden blocks make roads and buildings on an
island that can change every time you play.

DinoHunt (Steve Jackson Games):
“bring ’em back alive”; a card game with the type of
detail and information to make any dino-phile happy.

Family Puzzle (F.X. Schmid): not an individual game, but a product line;
300-500 piece circular puzzles with pieces in three different sizes so each age
group can work on a part; well-made and assembly can last just long enough for
everyone to chill out while you all listen to some cool music and sip a mellow
beverage of your choice.

X-bugs (Steve Jackson Games): “microscopic mayhem”; tiddlywinks with insects and
bedlam; not for the tiddly-challenged, but does not
require literacy.

— Craig Brownlie

Surrender to win

At
the time of creation, the Lord gave humanity the path of selfless service and
said: “Through selfless service you will always be fruitful and find
fulfillment of all your desires.”

— BhagavadGita 3.10 (EknathEaswaran translation)

We’ve been watching a lot of the
proceedings in and around Torino
at my house. It all started a few weeks ago when the kids and I dissolved in
laughter upon reading of an individual who interfered with the torch
procession, protesting that the Olympic Games were “elitist.” Hmmm.

Here’s an important fact of life: we
are not all created equal, but we are each created unique.

Human beings are glorious creatures,
capable of stunning feats of skill, strength, and grace. What a travesty it
would be to confuse focused self-discipline with selfishness, personal
achievement with self-aggrandizement. We should aspire to greatness, and nurture in our children that same passion to excel at
whatever activity resonates most within.

Excellence as a personal virtue
relegates competition to a forgettable byproduct of its healthy pursuit. Do you
fear failure or what others will think of you if you fail? Why give them so
much power? Surrender yourself completely to the task!

Any rink, slope, classroom, or
jobsite provides continual opportunities to do better, feel better, be better than
just a moment ago. Teach a child the joy of surrendering time, talent, and
energy to a personal conviction or purpose. Teach the world that personal
surrender is the first step to personal victory.

— Rev. Corey Keyes

This article appears in Feb 22-28, 2006.