[All Games] Who Do I Have To Be To Get Some Reciprocity?

That particular lyric (from the mighty and wonderful Lauryn Hill) has been on my mind a lot lately.

It's a really powerful and moving question; one that felt raw and right at the same time. It's certainly a question of anguish, of desperation and of justice. The question has gotten into my gut and twisted around for well over a month, demanding some sort of answer- waiting for things to be "righted".

And then I realized; it was the wrong question.

These little quotes that stick with me for weeks or months (or years) are usually trying to teach me some sort of lesson. I'd been stuck on this idea of righting wrongs, of equity and of fairness.

But those ideas; they are really backwards and wrong for me and how I want to live my life- in personal relationships and in gaming. I've had a handful of ideals that I don't want to compromise on, and "getting what's mine" is sure not in that list.

I don't want to be wealthy; I just want to be wonderful. -

This gem was uttered by a desperately broken, hopelessly romantic woman in the prime of her life. A lot of people don't understand why I like or admire her so much, but this particular quote really sums it up. She wanted something different. I get wanting to transcend and be worthy.

So shines a good deed in a weary world -

An adaptation of The Bard in Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory-the kindness uttered here is worth the entire silly movie.

Let it be me
if the world is night
shine my life like a light

Emily's passionate plea strikes a chord in my heart. There's nothing reciprical about being a light. You just shine. Shedding brightness to the dark corners is its own reward.

So what does all this have to do with gaming?

I game- and use every chance I get  in those interactions to shine. To be wonderful. To do a good deed.

I'm not doing it to have any reciprication. I don't expect anything back.

I don't expect anything back.

I have made some great friendships through gaming and blogging. I have had a lot of joy in seeing other people's work shining my way, and being touched by it.

Someone decided to snuff a brilliant light- and my world is a little darker because of it.

So I'm brightening my light, to keep out the dark.

I'm going to be posting some great ways you can reach out to others in your games- 40K, RPG or otherwise. I'll be talking about how to get past your own hangups and trying new things. I'll be talking about how to have fun, and my crazy ways of getting there.

I don't expect anything back, but I know I'll get something in the long run- something right and true.

I'll get to be wonderful.