Dear Unity Friends,

A friend of mine, Steve Evanko, plays the game of chess and loves it.  He recently told me about some important lessons he has learned from the game of chess.  He says, "Since chess is an individual game, the first lesson I learned is independence.  No one can help you while you are at the board playing. The game is yours to win or lose.  All your experience, training, and preparation plays out in front of you --- just like life.  That's why it feels so good when you win and hurts so bad when you lose.  But those feelings can only be savored or sorrowed for a brief period of time.  There's always a new challenge just ahead.

The second life lesson is the ability to think ahead.  Chess is a mental game, and you must constantly be on the lookout for both opportunities and threats.  The game literally changes with each move, and life's no different!  Every day is a new and different challenge – so you must anticipate and embrace change."

And lastly," you know the famous quote, 'Those who do not know history are doomed to repeat its mistakes.'  This is a hard truth we face in both chess and life.  In chess, there are basic theories you must know to get to the next level.   In life we have parents, guardians and mentors to get us through the early years.  Hopefully, we mature during these formative years and use this knowledge as a base for future decisions."

These are important points to consider along our spiritual journey as well.  The Christ Within is the only resource we really have to turn to as we play our game of life.  No one else can make the next move for us.  By being spiritually prepared, we can more easily adapt to the changes that come from what others do around us.  And, by learning from each day, we are better prepared to make a today a better one. 

This week, at the chessboard or not, follow the inner guidance of the Christ Within for your next move in the game of your life!

Namaste`
Rev. Robin