I like to play most games. When I am playing an unfamiliar game with family or friends, I often say, “Let me go last. I will watch how you all play, and then I will know what to do.” I sit, observe, ask questions to understand, and then I play my turn. I think we have all done this a time or two.

There have been times when I realized that I wasn’t very good at a game. Well, I like to win so I need to figure out how to improve my game play. Sometimes that is asking more questions of the other players. Sometimes that is simply asking, “Would someone please hand me the rule book?”

When I get my hands on the rule book and read it, I might say, “Wow! I am not doing this or that or some other move I could be making.” Once I know the rules, I can start applying what I have learned. Do you know how much more fun it is to play the game now? It is a lot more fun to feel confident that you know what to do to win the game or at least be a better player.

Think about this. In this scenario, I learned to play the game from the players who played their turns before me. What if they weren’t the best players? What if they weren’t playing by the rules or using the best strategies to win? These are the players from whom I was learning.

When It comes to winning at the eating game, how many of us have watched the players before us and learned from them? What if those players didn’t play the game well? Are we going to play the game well?

With Shibboleth, I feel like I was finally handed the long-lost, rule book for a game I had been playing for 49 years. Boy, it sure feels good to know the rules and know that all I have to do is apply them to be a better player and, of course, win!

Who wants to win at the game of life with me? All you have to do is learn the “rules” and apply. Let’s WIN together!

Feel free to comment below what you are going to do first to either help you learn the rules or apply the rules you already know.