Previous Challenge Entry (Level 4 – Masters)
Topic: PUZZLE (05/28/20)
-
TITLE: Multi-Faceted Addiction | Previous Challenge Entry
By Barbara Culler
06/03/20 -
LEAVE COMMENT ON ARTICLE
SEND A PRIVATE COMMENT
ADD TO MY FAVORITES
It began many years ago when the apparatus deploying the source of the addiction came into my home, and now I can’t stop using. I don’t want to stop. When I can’t sleep, I get up and avail myself of this opiate -- and before I know it, hours have passed. I enjoy the calmness that overcomes me when I’m at my computer, pairing Chinese characters and symbols.
The digital game of Mahjong is my addiction.
I spend hours clicking on those little tiles while watching TV, listening to music, or talking on the phone. Last year, I downloaded a version of the game that contains approximately 100 patterns or layout variations to choose from. The objective of the puzzle is to match tiles until the playing field is empty. Only specific tiles are viable to match and will highlight as the others are removed. The computer will reshuffle tiles until all have been discarded.
The 3-dimensional layout can be manipulated at different angles for a better view of tile locations. Most of the patterns seem to have a strategy on tile choices, but there are four layouts I have yet to perfect. I have spent hundreds of hours laboring over the puzzle of a 640-tile sailing ship. My goal is to achieve the removal of all the tiles with no reshuffling.
When playing the game and changing my frame of reference, I’ve learned a lesson on perspective. I can search for several minutes looking for a particular character, but until I change the viewpoint, it’s not visible. Once I do find it, I can’t “unsee” it.
Isn’t that like life?
I can have a specific stance, attitude, or opinion, but when the perspective changes, I see the whole more clearly. The ability to humbly listen to different points of view can result in a new understanding and empathy towards others. It then becomes an “aha” moment, and I wonder why it was never noticed before.
Although I’m aware that changing the approach to how I work the puzzle can aid in dislodging all the tiles, I still can’t get it. No one else’s opinion has been able to redirect my brain to the correct formula, so I keep on playing — I mean using.
The opinions expressed by authors may not necessarily reflect the opinion of FaithWriters.com.
Accept Jesus as Your Lord and Savior Right Now - CLICK HERE
JOIN US at FaithWriters for Free. Grow as a Writer and Spread the Gospel.
