Written in 1925, The Game of Life and How to Play by Florence Scovel Shinn, is an old school book that urges us to speak to ourselves positively and to expect our heart’s desires to be fulfilled. Using several Biblical references such as “death and life are in the power of the tongue,” Florence Shovel Shinn makes sure we understand that what we say to ourselves and to others has a way of manifesting in our lives. If you are going to speak, speak only positive words and you can literally will the things you want into your life. Hocus pocus to many, but I am a firm believer in willing things into existence so the message is one of hope for me. One of power. Others may feel a little more skeptical and I totally understand.

Toggling between Old and New testament quotations and more modern English, this book takes me inward to my spiritual side. Admittedly, I am a little shy about discussing my religious beliefs in such a public setting because I am aware not everyone shares my beliefs. However, I am going to put that fear behind me and state for the record that I am a Christian Baptist and that this book has motivated me on the inside. It has touched my soul more than my body or my brain. And that’s because you have to believe it before you see it in order for the manifestation to occur. “Whatever man feels deeply or imagines clearly, is impressed upon the subconscious mind, and carried out in minutest detail.” For many, this may seem counterintuitive and unscientific. For others like myself, spiritual confidence leads to freedom.

This book is similar to the Bible in its ability to convey wisdom through stories and words that teach us how to handle life’s trials and tribulations. Many can relate more to author Florence Shinn than they can to Jesus Christ. The messages provided are timeless and can be applied to the life of an atheist or church goer, in my opinion. l will continue to refer to it for motivation and fuel for many aspects of my life, especially those of a financial and entrepreneurial nature. Two things that to date have been a steady challenge for me, but with the help of books like this one, I am reminded that “fear is misdirected energy and must be redirected or transmuted into Faith.”

While The Game of Life requires a generous amount of spiritual/religious belief to be fully appreciated, I think that the fact that the book is backed by so much biblical rhetoric may make some people uncomfortable. That’s too bad because this book really only has one motive and that’s to help as many people as possible live a healthy, wealthy and prosperous life. I urge everyone to give this book a try, even if you aren’t religious, you might be pleasantly surprised by what you learn or better yet, how you feel.