Chutes and ladders

Also known as “snakes and ladders,” this game originated in ancient India as a metaphor for life’s spiritual journey. Your journey could be aided by virtues (ladders) or held back by vices (snakes).

Sometimes in life it can feel as if you don’t control what’s going on; rather, events seem to control you. Chutes and ladders is a game of chance, where the winner is determined purely by luck, not skill. The phrase “back to square one” originates with this game.

You can’t always control events, but you can control how you respond to them. In such times it helps to remember the serenity prayer: “God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference.”

What are the things you can’t change? What are the things you can change? How do you know the difference?

See also: Journey, Gauntlet, Path, Decision tree.

CORE-013

Leave a Reply