Your Move

Playing games with my mum is such a core memory for me. It was something I always looked forward to whenever the term was over. This went on for many years, right up until we were separated by distance.

When I was much younger and we played ludo, she won me almost all the time. One time, I remember she told me specifically that she would win me 10–0, and she actually almost did. Almost, because I smashed the board at the 10th game, haha. But that’s a story for another day.

Back then, I used to think of myself as unlucky. That was the only way I could explain it. How else do you explain not getting sixes 7 times in a row? It was the same with cards. I constantly blamed the cards I was dealt. How do I always get such high numbers and no pick 2s at all? It was either that or there was cheating involved.

As I grew older and more conscious, I started to apply strategy to my games. I stopped bothering so much about what cards I was dealt and focused more on how to make the most of them. I stopped obsessing over how many sixes I could get and started maximizing whatever number I got. Most importantly, I took everything I got as my lot and dealt with it in good faith. I started to win often. Then I got better. Then I started to win more. Eventually, I got to a point where I could easily win my mum 10–0.

I thought about this some days ago, and I realized there’s something here that mirrors real life. We’re all born differently, to different families, in different situations. We’re all dealt different cards.

Some are born to wealthier families. Others are born to poorer families and can’t even afford education. Some grow up with access to opportunities, networks, and resources, while others start life already several steps behind. Some people have mentors in their families who can guide them, open doors, and hold their hands through difficult decisions. Others have to figure everything out on their own through trial, error, and failure.

Some are taught how the world works early. Others learn the hard way, much later, often after making costly mistakes. Some are encouraged to dream bigger. Others are simply taught how to survive.

Some of these are very tough situations, and sometimes we get stuck feeling angry about the cards we’re dealt. We complain. We compare. We ask why things had to be this way for us. It genuinely is such a bad lot to be dealt.

But at some point, you realize that no amount of complaining changes the hand you’re holding. No amount of complaining will make you get more sixes.

And the crazy part is that life doesn’t wait for you to get better cards. The game just keeps moving mhen.

When you realize this, you stop asking for sixes at will, and you start asking yourself, what can I do with this four? How do I move better with this three? How do I stretch this small advantage into something meaningful?

And for me, that’s when things begin to change. Slowly at first. Then more often. Then consistently.

We don’t all start from the same place. We don’t all get the same cards. But we all still have a move to make.

Let’s stop here for now, It’s your turn. Make your move.

Your friend from Squared,
Agunwa.