1st World Gamer Problems

“I wish I had your problems.”

Have you ever thought something like this?

Did you know that someone out there is probably thinking that very thought about YOU?

The more we “have” in life, it seems, the more trivial our problems can become.

I’ve got too many games, I don’t know which one to play.
I master the offline mode, only to get slaughtered online.
I memorize and practice all the special moves and combos, only to get beaten by a button masher.
It seems like every time I turn on my current gen system, I have to update the firmware. Again.
After updating the system firmware, your new game requires an update. Might as well just go to bed/work/school since it won’t finish until you no long have time to play.
It’s so bad that I actually bought a game at a yard sale that I already own – I just could not remember.

How pathetic. My big problem and complaint for the day it that I have run out of space to display all my video games. Not exactly a bottom level need on Maslow Hierarchy.

I checked. http://www.simplypsychology.org/maslow.html

Nope, “lack of display shelf for Neo Geo AES cartridges” is not anywhere on that list.

Never mind that I don’t even have that much time to play anyways. But instead, I focus on system updates and broadband internet lag. It’s almost like we are wired to look for problems.

Someone Else Would Love to Have Your Problems

Then I realized this – others wish they had my problems. How many people in this world wish they could enjoy playing a game? Any game?

In his Podcast “In the loop,” episode 94, Andy Andrews talks about “How to Practice Gratitude.” He tells a great story about the difference between “having to” and “getting to.”

What does this look like for you and me?

If you have a job, you don’t “have to” go to work, you “get to” go to work. Just ask someone who has been job hunting for some time how much they would like to have your problem of “having to go to work today.”

Too often it is easy to see something as a bother, rather than the blessing it truly is.

I’m thankful for my problems. With the right mindset, I think we all can find something to be grateful for about our problems.

I appreciate your comments, thank you for reading.

What “problems” in your life are really things that you should be thankful for?

3 Responses

Excel-2014

July 7, 2014 |

Here’s a more faithful version of the header image that I made because I’m insane and can’t stand when era-inappropriate fonts are used to tell jokes over antiquated video game images.
- Jon D Harrison
  
  July 8, 2014 |
  
  No, you are not insane – I totally get where you are coming from! My font choice is based on keeping the website consistent.
  
  Thanks for the image, that’s a perfect match!
Dan Black

July 10, 2014 |

I think this is an attitude and mindset thing. It’s about being thankful and grateful with what we do have and not what we want. At times I have a hard day at work and when I do I tell myself “at least I have a job, a lot of people don’t” Great post and perspectives in this post!