The Game of Life (book)

The Game of Life and How to Play It is a self-help book written by Florence Scovel Shinn, published in 1925. The book proposes a philosophy based on New Thought principles, suggesting that life is a game governed by spiritual laws. Shinn argues that individuals can achieve success, health, and happiness by understanding and applying these laws through positive thinking, affirmations, and visualization.

The book is divided into chapters that address different aspects of life, such as prosperity, health, intuition, and forgiveness. Each chapter presents anecdotes and interpretations of biblical teachings to illustrate Shinn's principles. She emphasizes the power of words and beliefs in shaping one's reality, advocating for the use of affirmations to reprogram the subconscious mind and attract positive outcomes.

Shinn's work emphasizes a positive and optimistic outlook, encouraging readers to release negative thoughts and emotions that she believes hinder their progress. The book has remained popular for decades and has influenced subsequent self-help literature, although its spiritual and metaphysical claims are often viewed with skepticism. Key themes include the law of attraction, the power of positive affirmation, and the importance of forgiveness. The book encourages individuals to take responsibility for their thoughts and beliefs, asserting that they are the architects of their own lives.