It got me thinking about life (oh shit) and the continual pursuit of the next latest and greatest achievement. You find a partner, and then follows the pursuit of that relationships end. Whether this be through marriage and eventual life together, or the inevitable breakup. You buy a house, and next comes the race to fill that house with expensive items; or the pursuit of the next, bigger, better house. A new car becomes an opportunity only to fit that new car with expensive superfluous accessories. It seems, from where I am sitting (as a 25 year old Professional with an excellent job, wonderful fiance, and very cute puppy) that life has become a race to the death. A morbid contest to see who can die with the most toys. As I grow older, and accumulate more and more, I am continually beginning to wonder where the line should be drawn. Where is it that a person can decide that they are happy with where they are, that we can stop seeking the next achievement and just sit back and enjoy the story as it unfolds.
Nostalgia seems to be a common theme for me. And I am nostalgic for the days of sitting on the couch on my weekends. Playing through Chrono Trigger, Legend of Mana, Final Fantasy or anything else that was new and exciting. Not caring for anything but the game-play and the story-line. There were no achievements for seeking out every monster in the game. No trophies for spending 90 hours searching every inch of the map for that elusive weapon or item. For me, this left only the drive to enjoy the story as it unfolded to its inevitable ending.
From this random rant, I am taking away my new years 2015 resolution. In my life, I am going to make the attempt to stop playing for the achievements. To stop stressing over the next big item, the next big want. And just enjoy what I have for what it is. I'll endeavor to enjoy life as it comes, rather than spend my every effort in moving it forward to the next achievement. Because at the end, does it really matter what trophy you finish with?
