The Joyful Sovereignty Infinite Game

For this 11th edition of the Joyful Sovereignty Weekly, my intention is bring an awareness of an infinite game that is already being played. With that awareness, can spark insight and action as needed.
Read The Previous Edition Here

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As you read these very words, there is almost certainly some kids playing tag on a playground somewhere in the world.

Kids running around with smiles on their faces.

It’s almost as if there is a frequency of “tag” that surrounds the planet.

It’s a constant.

Even if this frequency of “tag” is ongoing all the time, any single game of tag may only be played for a few minutes.

The actual player of tag (a kid) only plays for a little while.

Those kids will move on to another fun game they can play. An extension of “playing”.

We as a collective love to play games.

But for much of us, the game of life has gotten a bit bleak.

It’s gotten serious, sad, disempowering and much worse.

The majority of the world is playing finite games. They intend to beat someone else and win.

It’s a game where it’s okay to cut someone down, while building yourself up. Politics, social media and the news is littered with division and competition. They are wittingly or unwittingly playing these finite games.

A game that many around the world and getting tired of.

The problem with the game much of the world is playing is how limited it is. It only thinks in the short term.

On top of that, the world seems to be more chaotic by the week.

This “win at all costs” mentality is all too common. With this way of thinking, it can be easy to be success driven or focus on what is worth more, and let go of everything else.

This leaves relationships, people, being kind and the planet as a second thought.
You can see why our world looks as it does.

To play a different game may seem challenging or maybe even impossible. There is a way to play an infinite game, where everyone can feel the sensation of “winning”, but never actually “win”.

Because there is no end to the game of life, and to have “won” would indicate the game is over.

We can simply be humans winning at the game of life, while supporting other humans to help them on what winning looks like for them.

An infinite game can be played with no end in sight.

Like the “tag frequency” example, there are many infinite games being played around the planet this very moment.

More and more versions of infinite games are emerging. Each one complementing others, bringing about an awareness for people.

The Joyful Sovereignty Infinite Game is the game that lives forever, and the players rotate in and out on the planet.

Joy and Sovereignty are the primary drivers for this particular infinite game.

In previous Joyful Sovereignty Weekly editions, we discuss the role Joy and Sovereignty play in supporting humanity in a beautiful and profound way.

The game itself can be carried forward. Because it’s an infinite game, future generations can adjust accordingly.

The Joyful Sovereignty Infinite Game welcomes challenges, beautiful gifts and unexpected surprises. It’s because it gives you the flavor of life, brought to your doorstep.

All part of a story worth telling. YOUR story. OUR story.

The Joyful Sovereignty Infinite Game intends to benefit the all, while not sacrificing your own peace in the near term.

An infinite mindset creates the byproduct of resiliency. If you plan to play forever, you already know you won’t quit. Although your approach may evolve, the game evolves with you.

In a chaotic, unpredictable and rapidly advancing society, playing this kind of game will help us support each other as we move forward. Humanity is evolving, and the more we can support and complement each other, the easier it’ll be for all of us.

This game gives us internal stability and peace. It’s not that we need to control the external world, but rather we accept the world as it is.

We are tolerate until the world changes, based off our example.

Playing this game holds a higher purpose. We can all play and do our part. We can refine and better the game for this generation, and for future generations to come.

This is a game to allow us to play the beautiful game of life infinitely, in harmony with this beautiful planet.

In most finite games, incentives are externally driven.

In the Joyful Sovereignty Infinite Game, incentives are internally driven. It’s the feeling of Joy and Sovereignty that drives what you do.

The playful approach to feel those feelings more drives the players. As one aims for Joyful Sovereignty and act in alignment with it, they embody that within themselves. That is the intrinsic reward.

A strict set of rules, guidelines or structure isn’t the answer when playing an infinite game.

The answer lies in human connection, the essence of why we’re playing the game with heart. If we created a “perfect” set of rules for all of us to play, it may work in the short term.

This would be similar to laws created by your local government or even at scale with the federal government. Creating a perfect set of laws for joy and sovereignty isn’t likely possible, nor does it need to be.

An infinite mindset and perhaps a few ideas to shift your perspective is all that’s needed. Then you allow the specifics in your own life emerge.

Your heart is the key to be able to guide you in your own specifics of the infinite game.
Flow, flexibility and agility are key attributes of the infinite game.

If we are expecting to adapt to change, then we ourselves need to adopt these attributes.

A combination of self and the all. That is also the nature of the infinite game. It’s not just about you, but about a bigger picture (game).

Sometimes you’re the leader, sometimes you’re the follower.

A transformation happens when converting to play this infinite game. Your mindset will meet to shift. Prepare to upgrade yourself and expect moments of when it will be uncomfortable.

The Joyful Sovereignty Infinite Game helps you identify your authenticity, then express it. You can be yourself in this game. You get to be curious about who you’re becoming.

A way to shift is to adopt a “winning” mindset.

The feeling of Joyful and Sovereignty is at the root of the what winning looks and feels like.

Winning means present tense and ongoing. It’s also that others who play with you, can simultaneously be “winning”.

They are winning at their slightly different, yet complementary version of the infinite game.

As more fun and beautiful aspects of the game emerge, you can experiment with them and adopt as you desire. Consistent upgrades of yourself and the game happen automatically.

You will have your own why behind playing the Infinite Game of Joyful Sovereignty. However, you can join a collective of people playing the game.

It's similar to sports.

Many people play sports, but the reason why they play differs. The common thread between it all, they play the game to the fullest, together.

The deeper essence is the true game. Because the rules, guidelines or other momentary aspects of the game will change. The specifics will adapt to the moment.

As technology advances, this game will be more important.

The big and bold vision for this game is for humanity to be Joyful and live in Sovereignty, all over the planet.

For humans to appreciate each other for how much we’re actually similar, while honoring how we’re all unique and different. Each of our originality is celebrated, for what gift we all bring to the world.

The Joyful Sovereignty Infinite Game will live on, but we won’t. What game is worth playing and passing on?

The Joyful Sovereignty Infinite Game becomes more of a lifestyle, rather then a segment of your life you only do on the weekends.

It becomes a part of your Being.

You embody the game, therefore you express it in all that you do.

The byproduct of embodiment, is that you don’t have to think about playing the game, you simply ARE because it’s your nature.

It will take time to embody it. But once it is, lookout world.

In the Joyful Sovereignty Infinite Game we will expand, but it’s not the point. Expansion is the byproduct of the game, not the intent.

Expansion for expansions sake feels arbitrary. It lacks heart and purpose. Although it’s a game, a game is best enjoyed when it means something.

In a world of rapid evolution of humanity, each of our creations will adjust as needed during each chapter of transformation.

Creatives and creators will keep the pulse of humanity and create accordingly. It’s not so much about any one Creation that will support humanity during these times. But rather the mindset (or the game they’re playing) that will be most important.

In this world of stuck mindset, it may be hard to initially play an infinite game. Courage will be an important characteristic to harness during this personal transition from finite to infinite mindset.

You have what it takes. Hold strong in your personal vision. Implement accordingly. You got this.

When you begin to play the Joyful Sovereignty Infinite Game, there will be a moment you’ll want to play with others. It’ll be a moment where you feel good about life and want to share it.

The secret is to invite others to play, sort of like how you play with a puppy.

A puppy is playful by nature. Yet, a puppy is usually a little safeguarded with new people and new ways to play. It doesn’t take long for a puppy to embrace someone new.

By playfully inviting others (gently) and meeting them where they are, it’ll be easier for them to join you.

Society has been programmed in many ways. Many won’t understand the Joyful Sovereignty Infinite Game, and that’s okay. You can begin to play and show them.

Explaining the game is less important than actually playing.

Only by seeing you live it, will they begin to understand. Simply talking about the game won’t cut it.

Being about it will.

The joy and sovereignty you radiate will be all that’s needed to attract more players of the game.

This infinite game is already being played. The frequency is out there in the world. All you’re doing is attuning yourself to it and participating.

Your active participation also changes the game slightly.

Your unique frequency adds a special-ness into the mix.

This effect happens for each person who joins.

Navigating other players in an infinite game can be difficult. Our old patterns of comparison, competition and the need to win can cloud us from truly playing the infinite game.

We are more collaborators of existence than competitors that need to fight. We have to the opportunity live more in harmony with one another.

And not only harmony with one another, but with the planet herself.

Just because other people are playing a finite game, we can still play with an infinite mindset and play in harmony.

On your journey, there will be different kinds of "other players".

Adventuring companions will be one type.

These are the people you decide to move on a portion of the journey with, side by side. Think of this as a Lord of the Rings adventuring party.

You will need to trust each other, sometimes to overcome a joint challenge.

You will care for each other. You will learn from each other. You will build each other up.

Just like in real life, adventuring party members will come and go. You may need to leave the party for a solo adventure or eventually find another party.

This is the natural cadence of life.

Do your best to be authentically you. When you need to move on to another chapter in life, do so with heart.

Another kind of “other player” will be sparing partners. This is specific to those who will help you sharpen your own sword.

Proverbs 27:17 states “As iron sharpens iron, so a friend sharpens a friend” (New Living Translation).

This kind of “other player” is specific as they help you become a better YOU.

You will have different sparing partners for different areas of your life.

Some sparing partners will be for many areas of your life. This may be a best friend for a chapter, or even someone you pay like a coach or advisor to help you.

They will challenge you. They will make you feel uncomfortable at times.

They will help you rise up to the occasion.

This is how Bruce Lee looked at the world. He didn’t see opponents he needed to beat, but rather a sparing partner who will help him improve his inner game.

The point of the sparing isn’t to win but to support the other to level up. Leveling up is part of infinite games.

It is not a competition, it’s a game where we’re all complementing each other to level up in our own greatness and mastery.

We’re all great at different things, and it will take different people in your life to level up aspects of your life.

The more you embrace the game, the faster you’ll have fun and level up in the ways you desire to level up.

Yet another “other player” is the worthy rival. When I read Simon Sinek’s book, The Infinite Game, he mentions this.

When you see someone who does something so easy, that is difficult for you, is often a worthy rival.

They often reflect aspects of yourself that you want to improve. From the human perspective, this dynamic can be unhealthy and competitive. But from a more powerful paradigm, you can use this dynamic to your advantage.

Perhaps life is simply giving you a worthy rival for you to rise to the occasion?

You can allow that fire within you to step up and level up.

This is nuanced and will take time to integrate this mindset fully. But as you do, you will start to see the world in a different light.

You not only see worthy rivals as something that is useful to you, but will be more of a liberating experience, rather than an event you have to “deal with”.

The beauty of playing the game with others is that you have your own authentic strengths, while others have theirs.

We’re all in this together, and the more we think and act in that way, the easier it will be for us to trust each other and play.

You can allow a worthy rival to spark a specific kind of learning and even inspire you. In some cases, you can even collaborate with your worthy rival. Because this is an infinite game, there is no competition.

There will be many other types of “other players”, but these are a few examples.

There is no best player in the Joyful Sovereignty Infinite Game. There is only each player being their best. The point isn’t to “out win” the other by being better, but by being better than you were yesterday.

We can appreciate each one of us for the gifts we bring to the table, and also easy on ourselves and each other for the things we’re not so good at.

There are no referees in the Joyful Sovereignty Infinite Game.

Once you begin playing and embody much of the essence within yourself, you become a custodian of the game.

Self-authorized “regulation” is the normal.

When someone needs support, if you are equipped to support you will.

Simply put, as a custodian you care for those around you.

We can appreciate each one of us for the gifts we bring to the table, and also easy on ourselves and each other for the things we’re not so good at.

“Other players” can act as a mirror for you to see yourself more clear.

When you see other people who are resolute with their vision and mission for themselves, it can make it easier for you to bring clarity on what’s most important for you.

This contrasting reflection from someone else is a true gift, as long as you have eyes to see it.

There is an ancient philosophy that the Iroquois have. It’s to think of the 7 generations after you with your words and actions.

As we already discussed, much of the world thinks in the short term. They’re not even thinking in terms of a single generation, they are thinking in weeks and months.

We’re not talking about delayed gratification. But rather a process (way of life) that is advantageous today, as well as in the future.

We can play a game that our posterity can continue to play 7 generations from now, if they choose.

But that’s the point, 7 generations will look completely different than today.

We will likely change the game several times within our own generation. When we open up the possibility to pass the baton to the future, we lessen the burden we have.

Think about it. On some level, there were wise people in the world that were thinking of us 7 generations ago.

They did their best, said what they felt they needed to say. Did what they felt they needed to do.

We can follow in their footsteps and build upon them.

Let us do our best, and pass the baton.

When we have this mindset to play this game forever, suddenly the anxiety of needing to complete something this week fades away.

We begin to feel a deeper sense of peace. Because we know we don’t need to “figure it all out”.

Often times, we learn that there will always be something that needs figuring out. But letting go of the worry brings us back to our natural state of being.

Embrace ownership of the problems of today.

Embrace ownership of the problems of tomorrow.

Embrace ownership of the problems 7 generations from now.

Allow the next generation of “players” to take ownership of what they’ve been given.

Play the game long term.

Care for humanity in the long term.

The infinite game lasts forever.

This weeks action steps are to chew on this idea of the Joyful Sovereignty Infinite Game.

1. Within the next week, go for a walk for 20 minutes and let the idea sink in and how you can take action in your life.
2. Once you identify a single action to take, take the very first step.
3. Keep it simple.

Next week we will discuss some more tangibles with a “Playbook” for the Joyful Sovereignty Infinite Game.

That’s it for this edition of the Joyful Sovereignty Weekly!

Wish you a great rest of your day!

Best,

Lane

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