This post is largely inspired by my friend Ruchi’s post about Words With Friends.
I used to be obsessed with Words With Friends, but it has been dramatically overtaken by my new obsession with Candy Crush Saga. Even though I play a lot, I haven’t entirely figured out the appeal. Neither has my husband, who (frequently) asks “Does it ever end? Can you even win?”
You know, I have no idea. And I don’t really care. My main desire is to find out what the next level’s challenge is, and then to vanquish it!
At this pace, I will probably burn out (and that will probably be the best for everyone, honestly). But before I do that, here are some pieces of wisdom I’ve used to rationalize my playing gleaned from my experience:
1. Sometimes you just have to be in the right place at the right time. There are certain combinations you can’t always plan – the color bomb with the striped candies or the wrapped candies, or, the best, color bomb with color bomb! Sometimes you can strategize to get them next to each other, but you have to keep your eyes open for opportunities.
In real life, this is also the case. Sometimes success is a matter of keeping your eyes open and jumping at a chance when you see it. Yes, it is helpful, and even necessary to take the appropriate steps to plan for the future (get an education, learn about a field of occupation, etc.), but all the planning in the world won’t help unless you look for opportunity and act on it when you see it.
2. Sometimes there’s nothing you can do but make the best of it and try again. On some levels, you may realize that you are going to lose, but there’s something like 25 moves left. Ugh. Instead of being completely frustrated at the feeling of wasting time (because it’s so productive when you’re winning, of course), you could take the opportunity to work on strategy until you have another chance to beat the level.
Maybe it’s like going to the grocery store with three kids who are tired and hungry. And you haven’t had any coffee today. This could be a very frustrating situation, but you’re there at the store, and you need some essential food item for dinner that really can’t be put off. Instead of feeling like it’s a total waste (except for getting the crucial food item), it could be a chance to strategize better ways to grocery shop in the future. Like stocking up on essential food items so you don’t need to run out to the store at the last minute with three cranky kids.
Just hypothetically.
3. Don’t get distracted by tempting but ineffective opportunities. Let’s say you have to clear some jelly at the bottom right corner, but you have an opportunity to make a striped candy/wrapped candy match in the upper left. Don’t lose sight of the goal – stay on target! Something that might be appealing in one situation may actually be a detriment in another.
This is like when you have things mostly balanced in your life, with your home, work and any creative (or non-creative) outlets you may pursue. And into this delicate balance comes a very tempting opportunity. It could be something educational, or maybe something to do with volunteer work. It could even be a professional opportunity that sounds amazing. If it’s something that is going to enhance your life and help further your goals, fabulous. But if it’s something which will be a distraction or even a hindrance, then it’s no opportunity. Sometimes we have to say no to things.
4. Help others and you help yourself. Whenever you open up the app, it gives you an opportunity to send lives or moves to friends. At first I thought, ick, I don’t want to bother my friends with annoying requests. But, really, if you’re playing the game, you appreciate it, and you see who else is playing the game. And if someone consistently sends me lives or moves, I am more likely to send moves or lives to them.
I guess this is kind of like paying it forward. Someone helps you, then you help someone, and they help the first person. It’s the circle of liiiiife. No, no, it’s not, but it is an example of how you never lose out by giving.
5. Chocolate isn’t always your friend. I don’t know who decided to make chocolate such a malevolent force in the game, but they are a sadistic genius! When else would you ever hear me saying: “Ugh! Chocolate! Why won’t you just go away!!! Be gone, chocolate!!”
Seriously.
But that’s how it is. Chocolate is yummy, but too much of it isn’t good for you.
~ ~ ~
So that’s that. Who else is obsessing over the game? Does anyone know if it ever ends?
Rivki Silver ~ thoughts & music 
It does end. My cousin posted a photo after passing level 365 that there is an end of road sign… He doesn’t know what to do with himself. (I burned out awhile ago.)
Oh, thank G-d. I’m so glad to hear that it ends. I highly doubt I’ll make it as far as your cousin. Maybe he can join a support group? ;) Also, thanks for letting me know you’re done with it. I won’t send you any more requests. :p
You know, after reading all the metaphors for life in this post, I am super tempted to get into candy crush saga (which I never got involved in till now because I am such a non-addictive personality). After all, without this amazing App, how else will I ever become a better person?
Thanks for the helpful life lessons and you may just see me one of these days playing that App. (That’s after I pull myself away from my prayer book of psalms, i mean my computer. Oy)
Seriously, (??) thanks for a very entertaining post!
Haha, indeed. We should make everyone play the game and watch as utopia becomes reality! If only it were that simple. Thanks for stopping by and for commenting! Maybe we should both take a break from the computer and say a shtickel tehillim. :)
Yup! A shtickel tehillim would be a good idea! Or even a good book without checking email in between chapters. Ahhh our technology addictions!!!
Your ccs obsession reminds me of my blackberry (“storm” or “torch” don’t recall which) touch screen (may she rest in peace) word game called “word mole.” I was literally obsessed for about a year! Now I got a new iPhone (finally. . , I’m the last one to join the rest of the world) and I’m “afraid” of apps that are games. Lol. Lets see…
Then again answering witty bloggers is also an obsession of mine!
Bottom line we enjoy it. So we do it. Who cares if there is no “end” or winner.
Omigosh! Hilarious! This needs to be Freshly Pressed! Seriously! :)
That’s the nicest! Thanks, oh queen of being FP.
I’m sending this EVERYONE I know who loves Candy Crush! :) Expect some action.
:) Looking forward!!
I have a great cheat for you. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UhIOAqZb74Q (lesson: don’t cheat your way through life). lol. I got to level 35 or so and then got bored— I have a friend at level 370 something. I still play now and then but I don’t expect to get much higher now that I’m not playing daily. My kids keep moving back to level one on the ipad— they keep refreshing so every day they start at level 1 again– not sure why they do that. so I play on facebook so I can see level 35+
haha, very cute! I look forward to the day when I’m not playing daily. :)
Hilarious! I’ve been stuck at level 147 for so long I’ve quit playing, but during the height of my obsession I could be heard cursing the existence of that stupid chocolate.
Haha, I know. I don’t remember what level it was, but there was chocolate AND bombs, and I was like, “COME ON!” ;)
This is a really great essay! I love candy crush, but I got up to level 110, and decided I’m not asking for any more tickets to move on. It’s gotten to the point where it’s not so fun anymore. But your analysis is AWESOME. It just goes to show you can find wisdom and insight anywhere if you’re looking for it.
haha, I totally understand that! Thanks for the compliment, and I think you’re right that there’s wisdom hidden in a lot of random places. :)
:-DDDD Great!
Actually, I’ve been doing some thinking on my obsession with the good old card game “Solitaire” (one of the few games on my ancient cellphone). I find it boring, really, but still… My conclusion: If I can’t put my thoughts, my life or something else in order, I can at least put cards in order. If it doesn’t work out, you can always try again. And it’s not your fault, because sometimes you just get awful cards. – So, it’s clearly some kind of therapy. Not just a stupid habit, oh no.
And, by the way… where do you find Candy Crush Saga? On FB only? I couldn’t find it anywhere else. (Just asking out of academic interest, of course.)
I love your conclusion on Solitaire! Yes!
CCS is an app for smartphones or on FB. I think that’s it. Academic interest, hahaha.
I’ve found a few free fake versions in the meantime. But they are all without chocolate. :-(
no, no, that’s good. Chocolate is so bad. So very bad!