Oct 6 • Books
THE GAME OF LIFE AND HOW TO PLAY IT Florence Scovel Shinn
A Timeless Classic of Manifestation
Published in 1925, "The Game of Life and How to Play It" is one of the foundational texts of positive thinking and the law of attraction, written decades before these concepts became mainstream. Florence Scovel Shinn, an American artist and metaphysical teacher, condensed in this small but powerful book the universal principles that govern the creation of our reality.
The Author and Her Approach
Florence Scovel Shinn had an extraordinary gift: the ability to translate complex spiritual concepts into simple, accessible, and often humorous language. Her approach combines biblical wisdom, metaphysical principles, and practical observations of everyday life. She wasn't a theorist but a practitioner who personally tested every principle before teaching it.
Her style is direct, sometimes humorous, always compassionate. Through real stories of people who successfully applied these principles, she shares rather than preaches.
The Central Concept: Life as a Game
The title itself is revealing. Florence sees life not as a battle to fight or suffering to endure, but as a game to be played with mastery. And like every game, there are precise rules. Those who know and apply them win. Those who ignore them keep losing without understanding why.
The goal of this game isn't to accumulate wealth or power for its own sake, but to reach what she calls the "right place" - that life condition where you're perfectly aligned with your purpose, surrounded by the right people, doing work you love, living in the natural abundance that belongs to you.
The Fundamental Principles
The Power of the Word Florence dedicates extensive space to the creative power of words. According to her, every word we speak is a decree, a command sent to the universe. Our words are like seeds planted in the fertile ground of the subconscious, which will inevitably germinate into concrete experiences. This is why she insists on speaking only about what we want to manifest, never about what we fear.
The Law of Non-Resistance One of the book's most powerful chapters deals with non-resistance. Florence teaches that resisting what we don't want gives it power. "What you resist, persists" becomes a fundamental mantra. True freedom comes when we learn to bless what we want to release, be grateful for lessons learned, and make space for the new.
The Importance of Imagination Imagination, writes Florence, is the mind's "shaping tool." Before we can manifest something in physical reality, we must be able to see it clearly in our mind. But beware: we must imagine what we want, not what we fear, because imagination doesn't distinguish between positive and negative - it simply creates what it focuses on.
Affirmations as Tools of Transformation The book is rich with powerful affirmations, brief positive statements that Florence used with her students. These aren't simple encouraging phrases but true "metaphysical decrees" designed to reprogram the subconscious. Some of the most famous include: "My right place awaits me now," "Infinite abundance is my natural inheritance," "Every door opens before me."
The Principle of Giving and Receiving Florence teaches that the universe operates according to the law of circulation. Everything must flow: energy, money, love. When we block the flow by selfishly withholding or refusing to receive out of false humility, we create stagnation in our lives. True prosperity comes when we learn to give with joy and receive with gratitude.
Practical Stories and Examples
What makes this book unique aren't just the theoretical principles, but the numerous real stories Florence shares. She tells of students who found "impossible" jobs, healed relationships, money that arrived in unexpected ways, physical healings. Each story illustrates a specific principle and demonstrates how to apply it in daily life.
A Message of Empowerment
At the heart of the book is a deeply liberating message: you are not a victim of circumstances. You're not at the mercy of chance, bad luck, or cruel fate. You are a powerful creator, equipped with divine tools - thought, word, imagination - with which you can shape your life experience.
Florence doesn't deny difficulties or challenges, but reinterprets them as opportunities for growth and feedback showing us where our thoughts and words aren't aligned with what we truly want.
Why Read It Today
Despite being written almost a century ago, "The Game of Life" remains extraordinarily relevant. Its principles are the same found in modern law of attraction books, but expressed with a wisdom and clarity that few contemporary authors can match.
This book is perfect for:
- Those approaching the law of attraction for the first time
- Those wanting to understand the historical roots of modern positive thinking
- Those seeking practical, immediate tools to change their lives
- Those who love affirmations and want a powerful collection to draw from
- Those desiring a brief but transformative read
Florence Scovel Shinn's Legacy
Florence Scovel Shinn has influenced generations of authors and teachers in the personal growth field. Her work laid the foundation for what we know today as the New Thought movement and anticipated by decades concepts that only recently became mainstream.
Her greatest legacy is perhaps this: she demonstrated that spirituality doesn't have to be complicated, serious, or inaccessible. It can be practical, joyful, and immediately applicable to everyday life.
Conclusion
"The Game of Life and How to Play It" is more than a book: it's an instruction manual for living with awareness, power, and joy. It's a map showing you how to navigate the game of life with mastery, knowing the rules that most people ignore.
If you're ready to stop being a victim and start being the conscious creator of your reality, this book is the perfect starting point. Small in size but immense in the transformational potential it contains.
As Florence herself would say: "Your right place awaits you now. Every door opens before you. Walk confidently toward your victory."
4
5 comments
THE GAME OF LIFE AND HOW TO PLAY IT Florence Scovel Shinn
powered by
skool.com/vibe-academy-7576
Welcome to VIBE ACADEMY, where we believe your frequency creates your reality.
A space for a journey of self-discovery and intentional creation.
Suggested communities
Powered by