Weird metaphor/life observation from me today. I get philosophical sometimes.  Bear with.  Or maybe it’s not so weird and loads of other people have thought the same thing, hmm…
I kinda like to think of opportunities as a bankable thing.  Kinda like coins, or Sonic the Hedgehog’s rings, if you like.  We go through life accumulating ‘rings’.  In fact life itself is an old-school video game, basically.  One of those you plug into your clunky GameBoy Advance (or Nintendo DS, if you’re really pushing the boat out) and while away hours chasing those little golden circles.  Noughties kids, you feel me?  So yes, I believe we go through our own little lives amassing our own little collection of rings, in order to trade them in one day.
What adds to your ring count?
The metaphor might be simple and rings might be grades, UCAS points, qualifications… that kinda thing.  Stuff you work hard for.  Where they get traded in is fairly obvious, no need to dwell on that one.  You get good grades, you trade them for a job or a course, job’s a good’en.  ‘Trade them in’ is possibly a flaw in the metaphor as I guess you reuse those rings throughout your life, but we’ve started now so let’s just roll with it, ok?
On the other hand (that phrase makes me feel like I’m writing a high school history essay but never mind), rings might be life experience not dealt out by an educational institution or workplace or whatever. Â Sure, you might gain ‘real life’ experience whilst earning that certificate, but there are a bunch of other life skills you learn in other ways too. Â Making friends with people who genuinely add something to your life. Â They increase your wealth.
Some rings you earn by trying super hard and getting to the next level. Â Some are bonus points you stumble upon. Â Some can be snatched away too, but sadly there’s nothing we can do about the circumstances and people who set you back. Â Just try to clutch onto our rings and what we’ve worked for as tightly as possible, I guess.
Lots of stuff adds to your ring count in terms of confidence. Â Surrounding yourself with supportive people… doing hard stuff and proving to yourself that YOU GOT THIS… all boosts the ol’ confidence. Â And confidence itself is rings to carry forward. Â Confidence helps you seek opportunities.
Speaking of opportunity, even with my little wisdom as a seventeen year old, I have a sneaky suspicion that the more rings you collect, the more opportunities will present themselves.  Correct me if I’m wrong.  Some day, you’ll be able to cash in those rings and life will repay you.  It might repay you in one big lump sum, or little installments throughout your life.  Personally I’d go for the little installments if given the choice, but whatever floats your boat.  The more I get caught up in this weird metaphor of mine, the more I think you really do get out of life what you put into it.  Sure, luck and circumstance might mean that some have advantaged and disadvantages in the first place, but at the end of the day, just because someone’s had an easy childhood or whatever doesn’t mean they’ll live a fulfilled life.  Because I really am talking about fulfillment here, NOT anything monetary.  The currency thing is just a metaphor.
Some people give up collecting rings earlier than others, and seem to turn down rings being shoved into their palms.  I don’t get it, and it makes me sad.  The unfulfilled potential, that is.  It frustrates me to see people not making the most of themselves and not accessing the happiness they could have.  Their choice I guess.  I know not everyone is motivated and no two people’s minds are wired alike (believe me, I know), but sometimes I just feel like I want to grab a whole bag of rings, rattle them in their faces, and scream that the rings are RIGHT THERE, you just gotta notice them.  Which obviously I can’t do, because A) this is just some ridiculous metaphor I’m confusing even myself with, and B) I think rings are a very personal thing that only YOU can decide what to do with.
[I feel like here is the point at which I should insert a bunch of motivational Pinterest quotes with artsy backgrounds]
I want to be rich in life rings. Â And I’ll work my damned hardest to do so. 🙂
lily kate x
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8 Comments
Max
13th September 2015 at 3:34 amThese are good things to keep in mind. I think I forget sometimes how many rings I have stored up and believe I have to start from scratch. Or I go and play another game that needs coins or energy points instead.
lily kate
27th September 2015 at 10:53 amI have no doubt that you’ve amassed quite the collection of rings Max! No ring/energy point/coin is wasted 😀
Bash
13th September 2015 at 4:14 amI think life is kind of like that. Collecting rings, and reaching milestones. Sometimes I think life is much more fun to think of it that way but it has its downsides. Not getting the ring, or missing that milestone. But you know, there are a million more rings and million more milestones. <3
xx Bash | Hey Bash | bloglovin’
lily kate
27th September 2015 at 10:54 amLife really is just a giant game isn’t it? Sometimes we have to compete in a bigger game, but usually we’re just playing against ourselves.
Upside to missing a ring – push you down a different path where ore rings may lie!
Alina
13th September 2015 at 6:42 pmYou know, I believe that there is some physical law that is always working in this life. I think it’s like the gravitational pull of energy – the more you have in yourself, the more things/emotions/events/people that are resonant with this energy you will attract.
lily kate
27th September 2015 at 10:59 amIt’s like a form of karma I guess – what goes around will (usually) come around! The more positive things in your life, the better 😀
Tasmin
16th September 2015 at 8:57 pmI LOVE this. Which also seems to be something I say after reading all your posts, oops! But seriously, you’re little life rings metaphor is amazing and it makes perfect sense to me. I’m a strong believer that life is a result of the choices you make and how you deal with the curve balls that are thrown your way. So your arcade rings theory makes perfect sense. Except, this is a life long game, a never-ending rollercoaster with it’s highs and lows. So, here’s to hoping that I gain enough rings to live the life of my dreams :)!
xxx
Tasmin | Grandiose Days
lily kate
27th September 2015 at 11:16 amSomething I say after reading yours too! I think we’re on very similar wavelengths. ;D I’m sure you’ll gain more than enough rings to go anywhere you choose 😀