The objective of the board game Othello (also known as Reversi), is to finish the game with more of your color pieces than your opponent.  The game is played by placing small disk pieces on an eight-by-eight square grid. Players pick a color before they begin and take turns trying to outflank their opponent by looking for rows that have one of their pieces on one end.  Placing another like piece at the other end allows the player to convert the entire row (flipping the disks) into their color.

Experienced players know that the corner squares of the board are the most important positions to own.  Once a corner is claimed by their opponent, the chances of winning are slim since it is an entrenched position whose influence extends over a large area of the board.

I find this game to be a useful parallel for self reflection and improvement.  What have we allowed to lay claim to the corner positions of our lives?  Anger? Bitterness?  Resentment? Guilt?  It's easy to focus on the symptoms of our negative behaviors, but if there are issues already anchored in corner positions that we have chosen to ignore, then we will always be on the losing side of this game.

The good news is we can change the pieces even if they've been sitting at the corner for a long time.  Talk with your spiritual advisor, counselor, psychologist or other mental health professional to figure out if there are entrenched issues that you may not be aware of that are keeping you from living a life of victory.  Everyday is a new day with new possibilities and potential for positive change.  You are worth it.