Friday Filler – Are You a Grumple or a Giver?

Thank Grog It’s Firday!

It’s interesting what playing a game for years will do to your opinion of buying or not buying a returning item in the game. Much like the game of life, our wants and whims can, and perhaps should change as we evolve.

Case in point…

When the Grumple first came into our game, I refused to spend money to acquire such a nasty-tempered goblin. It just seemed so “anti Christmas,” at the time…even though “How the Grinch Stole Christmas” was the story that was being lampooned.  But then, it occurred to me, that the story of the Grumple doesn’t exactly end well for the Grumple (he gets shot by Maggie), and that if they are bringing him back to life (as they have for countless other characters from the show), then there must be a larger reason for having him.

So…I bought him. And then, ran through the entire questline that comes with him. Turns out…he is kind of a nasty dude, who probably deserved to get shot by Maggie. He didn’t learn a thing on his second chance.

So then…in THIS Christmas/Holiday/Winter update, we are able to buy the Peak Inn and Lyla…who as it turns out, ALSO died on the show, but is being reanimated for TSTO.  She comes from the episode “Four Regrettings and a Funeral.”  Once again however, it was likely that it was Burns who should have died and not Layla, and he clearly didn’t learn his lesson either.

But what can WE learn from these stories or others we see during the holiday season? The fact is,  if there is any lesson to be learned from watching endless holiday TV specials and classic movies, it’s that “it’s never too late to change…redemption can be yours!”  (unless you are the Grumple).

So where does that leave us in TSTO, and what lessons can we learn for our own lives?
I think the term “Reanimation” is an interesting one. This time of year, it could be interchangeable with the word, “Reincarnated.”  As we will soon see both Buddha, as well as Shiva in the game, the concept of reincarnation, or everlasting life through second chances is really at play here.

However, as I have said before, I believe that the real anchor to any discussion about the ramifications of your actions, and if you deserve a second (or third, or fourth, or millionth) chance, comes down to your understanding of the word, “Timshel.”

As is described in the Steinbeck book, East of Eden, “The King James translation makes a promise in ‘Thou shalt,’ meaning that men will surely triumph over sin. But the Hebrew word timshel—’Thou mayest’—that gives a choice. For if ‘Thou mayest’—it is also true that ‘Thou mayest not.”

Now…we are also going to see Rabbi Krustofky in the game, as well as Jesus (who was also a Jew), so taking the word about the greatest gift of our existence from the Hebrews makes sense. And that gift?  To extrapolate on the Steinbeck quote; that gift is “Free Will.”

Thou may choose…or thou may not choose.  That applies to everything from “to KEM farm or not,” whether to play Freemium, Cheapium, or PayGo, or to whether or not you simply skip tapping for a while as you decide to enjoy the rest of your life. There is no real wrong or right way to tap…only endless choices in how you tap. Free Will. YOUR decision.

While the concept of some religions banks on “Reanimation” like TSTO, the reality is, every moment in our lives is one of choice. You have a 86,400 seconds a day to make a decision that can alter your life, or the lives of others.  In a sense, you are being reincarnated over and over again, with every Free Will decision.

So…when you begin deciding how you are going to spend your time, I hope that you begin realizing that giving to others, offering your service to others, along with unconditional love without judgment, actually rewards you more fully than any reward you may receive in another lifetime.

When you give of yourself…whether it be your time, talents, or treasure, without the expectation of getting something in return, the reward is actually magnified even more greatly.

The world needs less Grumples and more Givers right now.  The World needs more unconditional and regular givers who make the habit of giving part of their regular lives.

I am happy to belong to a number of groups that make giving part of their mission. The Rotary group that I belong to helped to fund another well for our village and school in Uganda. The digging has begun.

In the pictures (click to enlarge them) you can see the bathroom we built with funds almost entirely from TSTO players, as well as the water tank in the background of the second picture. Good work, TSTO peeps!

However, in a short time, it will be time for another round of School Books and Supplies.  As part of educating her students, my wife Debbie’s class began raising funds as part of an annual teaching/learning moment about helping those who have less than we do in the world.  They got a Great Start…but could REALLY use YOUR help to finish things off.

YOU CAN DONATE HERE..

Many from here have donated in the past, and when you go to the link, you will see a lot of familiar names! We appreciate every donation…large and small.

Second chances…Free Will…all begin with a flip of the switch in the way you see the world and your part in it.

My hope, is that you see the value in contributing to something that matters in your life.  If that is Uganda, great. If it is something closer to home, that is great too.  But, as Gandhi said, “Be the Change You Want to See In The World.”  Do something…