We Don’t Just Stop And Sit If We Fail

Online games these days are trending. Smartphone manufacturers keep innovating their product just to meet the demands of every player.

Some people make money while playing online games. In fact there is this game called Axie -  Infinity that has been circulating over the social media platforms. I’m sure some of you are already aware of it. Others get addicted to online games be it mobile or PC and even risk their lives by just playing whatever games they are addicted to.

Before I continue my series of posts about home living and technology, let me first share this article about online games. I am also into playing mobile games online. I remember the first online PC game that I have been playing ten years ago – Counter Strike. Then the offline PC game Grand Theft Auto. Those were my only favorite games back then. Today I rarely play GTA but actively play on my phone with World War Heroes similar to Counter Strike. I still have the Clash of Clans accounts and one is stuck at town hall eleven but I rarely visit my villagers.

Frankly speaking I am not a team player. I just want to entertain myself and to satisfy my curiosity of how to play a game that I find interesting. I am not also a sporty guy maybe because my interest during my adolescence was more of hanging out with teenage rock bands.

When my kids were growing up I started giving them their own tablets for entertainment. It is also my means of giving rewards to them for being good with their studies. However I always remind them to have some control or at least limit the playing of games on their devices. They will make use of it after they have done their homework. I keep reminding them of the consequences if a child has been addicted to playing mobile/tablet games. I also cite examples like what the news have reported about some risk of prolonged use of such devices. So far they are obedient.

Recently I found out that my kids are playing the so-called Minecraft. It is a type of video game where players have to build their world. I sneak into my daughters while she is playing and it appears that she has mastered it already.

Last year my wife told me that my son’s classmate was kind of addicted to this type of game. So I began reiterating again my reminders to them. You know, parents ' intuition. Though I felt like I am like my father and my son was me.

But then my son asks me if he could join the Minecraft Education Edition Competition. I was surprised by his approach because I wasn’t aware that the Department of Education is integrating this type of game to certain programs in school. He was in the 8th grade back then and one thing that raised my eyebrow was that it had a registration fee of 1500php ($30). But then he told me that it could be divided in three if they join with a group of three people.

I can do nothing but to support my kids with regards to their studies as long as they will behave well. So It was my son who has been doing the programming building their world for the competition. I was even surprised that my son knows about video editing even if I am not teaching him how to edit videos. Then I just helped them and provided background music that I have made with a groovy loop app.

Last year was the 1st Minecraft Competition. Unfortunately my son’s group loses in the competition.  He was kind of devastated but as a parent, I did my part of comforting my son. I told him that losing is a part of the game. You cannot go to the top easily. You will have to fail and lose and that’s normal. Then I told him that at least he knew what areas to improve next time. Look back and check off the things that seem lacking. Know your weaknesses because you will build your strength from your weaknesses.

Last month my son approached me again to see if he could participate in the 2nd Minecraft Competition for this year. But this time he wanted it solo. He no longer wants to join a group. Meaning I will be paying 1500php for the registration.

Honestly I was contradicting inside because they lost last year’s completion. However I can see that my son wants to prove something and I don’t want to hurt his feelings. This is not to brag but my son is a brilliant kid. In fact there are only fifteen students in their class. He is in 9th grade now at the STE program.

So I decided to just let him join. Anyway I still have a few bucks in my coinsph wallet earned from read.cash. Then I send the payment in the bank account given to him for the registration fee.

One month of preparation so I have to support him and give encouragement. He almost sleeps late then wakes up early building his city. I don’t have any idea of how it’s done but I can hear him saying like he was using codes and scripts to build the city. Shame on me. I never knew about that kind of programming when I was about his age. I can also hear him recording voice over for the Minecraft video presentation. 

To make the story short. He won First place in the competition that was held virtually yesterday. He was so happy and of course me and my wife. I wanted to bring us together outside for dinner but due to the health protocols I just ordered food and we did a simple celebration at home.

Never give up. It is always good to show determination and perseverance if we want to achieve something. You must also have confidence and trust with your ability.

Every undertaking has challenges. Those challenges are what makes us pursue and try harder no matter the difficulties.

In life we don’t just stop and sit if we fail. We have to think to move forward to keep going.

Thanks for reading. Ciao!

I wish I could share with you the video here but I just generated a GIF image for now. This is the city he built in Minecraft that won the first place.

Lead image source credits to Harsh Gupta

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To all those who support, Thank you!

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