Rediscovering Life's True Game: Lessons from John Ortberg's "When the Game is Over, It All Goes Back in the Box"

John’s grandmother was an incredible Monopoly player when he was young and at the end of the game, she'd have everything.

She had Broadway, she'd have Park Place, and he had nothing.

She would get this grin on her face.

She'd say, "John, someday you're going to learn "how to play the game."

One summer, when he was about 13, this kid moved next door who was an incredible Monopoly player. He practised with this kid daily because he knew his grandmother was coming in September.

When Grandma came, he ran into the house, hugged and kissed her and said, "Grandma, how about a Monopoly game?"

Her face lit up. She said, "Let's go, John."

He was ready for her this time. He came out of the shoot and he wiped his grandmother out. He said it was the greatest day of his life.

His grandmother said, "You know, John, "now you know how to play the game. "Let me teach you a lesson about life. "It all goes back in the box."

He said, "What do you mean?"

She said "Everything you bought, everything you accumulated and all. If your life is all about how much money you make, and your recognition of your power, baby, when you die, it all goes back in the box. How many people want on their tombstone their net worth, you know?

They don't want that.

They want to know something where they've made a difference and that's what about significance. And she said, "The only thing you're going to save, John, "at the end of life is your soul, where you store "who you love and who loves you.

"If you focus on success, who you are, you're never going to reach significance.”

In John Ortberg's poignant narrative, the childhood game of Monopoly becomes a profound metaphor for life's ultimate truths. Ortberg recalls his grandmother's mastery at the game, where she'd amass wealth and property, leaving him with nothing but a lesson to learn. However, a transformative encounter with a neighbour and a rematch with his grandmother unveil deeper wisdom about the nature of success and significance. The pivotal moment came when Ortberg, determined to beat his grandmother, honed his Monopoly skills with a neighbour. Triumphantly, he defeated his grandmother in a game, only to be met with her sage words: "It all goes back in the box." Through this poignant exchange, Ortberg learned that true fulfilment lies not in worldly achievements but in investing in relationships and nurturing the soul.

Ortberg's message resonates deeply, urging us to shift our focus from fleeting success to enduring significance. He challenges the notion that self-worth is tethered to wealth, recognition, or power, advocating instead for a life anchored in generosity, service, and love.

In a society driven by materialism and the pursuit of success, Ortberg's book serves as a timely reminder of what truly matters. It encourages readers to embrace a paradigm shift, prioritizing eternal values over ephemeral pursuits. By living with eternity in mind, making choices aligned with our deepest values, and cultivating meaningful connections, we embark on a journey of lasting significance.

"At the End of the Game It All Goes Back in the Box" transcends the confines of a mere board game, offering profound insights into the human experience. It invites us to ponder life's ultimate purpose and to embrace a path guided by love, compassion, and spiritual growth. In a world consumed by the pursuit of wealth and status, Ortberg's message serves as a beacon of hope, illuminating the path to a life of true significance.

Transitioning from Success to Significance

One of the things that drives people to be self-serving is that they think that their self-worth is a function of how much money they make, the recognition they get for their efforts, and their power and status.

Let me tell you, there's nothing wrong with making good money.

There's nothing wrong with getting recognized for your efforts.

There's nothing wrong with that power and status.

But if that's who you think you are and your self-worth is tied up there, the only way you can maintain your self-worth is to get more of those.

A common misconception driving many individuals towards self-serving behaviours is the belief that their worth is solely determined by their financial wealth, the accolades they receive, and their levels of power and status.

Undoubtedly, there is nothing inherently wrong with achieving financial prosperity, receiving recognition for one's endeavours, or holding positions of power and influence.

However, if these external markers become the sole determinants of one's self-worth, a precarious cycle ensues. The pursuit of maintaining this self-worth becomes contingent upon constantly accumulating more wealth, more recognition, and more power.

This relentless pursuit often leads individuals to prioritize personal gain even at the expense of others, as evidenced by executives seeking hefty bonuses amidst mass layoffs. In such cases, success is equated with material accumulation, overshadowing the deeper significance of their actions.

Yet, true fulfillment lies not in the accumulation of wealth or power, but in the embrace of significance. Contrary to the pursuit of money lies the virtue of generosity; instead of seeking recognition, one finds purpose in serving others; and in place of power and status, meaningful connections and loving relationships hold sway.

In essence, the transition from success to significance beckons individuals to transcend the superficial trappings of material success and embrace a life rich in purpose, service, and genuine human connection."

Let me know what you think about success and its significance.