All-American Gallery Canvas Print

This bison is terrible at golf. But that’s okay because he’s playing a different game.

In a fitting reflection of the diversity we enjoy in this county, the American Dream has splintered into a hundred different versions. I like to think of these options as games. Rather than tracking three-pointers, we might measure things like money, body weight, square footage, degrees, status, accolades, connections, sales, prestige, and fame. In the old version, the white picket fence served as the trophy to prove that you won.

This is your life. You decide what game you want to play. But you can’t play and hope to win them all. If you’re not careful, you can get duped into playing a game you don’t even care about and end up making choices that distract you from the game you do.

The cool thing is that once you identify the game that matters to

you, you can let go of all the burdensome envy and guilt you feel when you compare yourself to people playing different games. I’ll admit it: I’m getting blown out in the games that are being played by some of my friends, family, and peers. You might be, too. But the game that matters to me? I’m leading the league.

Two lessons here: Get really clear on what game you’re playing. And don’t beat yourself up for being in last place in the games you’re not.