Jumanji Life

Some lives play out like the big wheel of the local mela. Some like roller-coasters. Some like the adventures of a player trapped in Jumanji. We are wiser for the storms we have faced, and are still learning and growing everyday.

A seasoned Jumanji player is incredibly wise and courageous. If your life has been Jumanji, then consider yourself a Jumanji Level Player, a Warrior. And once in a while, you will wish your life wasn't this hard, and you didn't have to be this brave, but then in calmer times, you will cherish your wisdom and know that you wouldn't be who you are now, without the adventures.

“And once the storm is over, you won't remember how you made it through, how you managed to survive. You won't even be sure, whether the storm is really over. But one thing is certain. When you come out of the storm, you won't be the same person who walked in. That’s what this storm’s all about.” ~ Haruki Murakami, Kafka on the Shore.

Jumanji offers us a few lessons that have been relevant to my Jumanji Life as well:

1. Face Your Fears. Growth lies on the other side of challenge. Growth happens when we step outside our comfort zones. Avoiding fear keeps us stuck; facing it transforms us. Just like the players, we “level up” in life by daring to take the next move, even when we’re scared.

2. Teamwork Makes the Impossible Possible. Each player brings a different strength, and only by working together can they survive the chaos of the game. We don’t have to be good at everything. Success in life often depends on collaboration. Teamwork multiplies what any one person could do alone.

3. Know Yourself. The game reveals who you really are. Life often casts us into unexpected roles, but each challenge reveals our hidden strengths. When we stop pretending and embrace our true selves, we play the game of life with purpose.

4. Finish What You Start. Commitment matters. Whether it’s a goal, relationship, or personal journey, seeing things through teaches discipline and integrity. Freedom and peace come from fulfilling our responsibilities, not escaping them.