Chess [Empathy & Failure]
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Chess symbolizes Life on a 64-square chessboard for me personally. When we play chess, there are three stages that present themselves throughout the life-cycle of the game _
- Opening
- Middle-game
- Endgame
Each move that we make will either improve or deteriorate our position. We are playing against three opponents at once: Our opponent across the board, Ourselves, and the Clock. Playing chess forces us to utilize the Left Hemisphere [Logical Reasoning], Right Hemisphere [Creative Innovation], and Prefrontal Cortex [Executive Function] simultaneously to visualize moves in play, moves in the future, tactical opportunities, and predicting the opponent.

In Life, there are also three stages that unfold as we grow older _
- Birth
- Mid-Life
- Death / (Passing)
Each moment of [Time] that passes within our fleeting lives presents us with a path, a challenge, and a choice. We must make a "move" and choose from a divergent point and proceed forward. Sometimes, we make good decisions (good moves), and sometimes we make bad decisions (bad moves). We might even Fail (blunder). This fact alone will break most before they have begun to play. The Truth is Failure is simply Feedback for improving our position. We may play the game of Life for a raise (piece advancement), a promotion (piece promotion), or just to improve ourselves (positional advantage). Whatever the case may be, we are always playing against the Self.

Why? Every thought, every emotion, every chess move we make in Life happens twice:
- First _ inside our [mind]
- Second _ in real-world circumstances

I have personally observed that by playing chess every day for the past year, my reasoning skills are sharpened, my empathy is focused, and my [Theory of Mind] (ToM) is expanded, because all originate from different spheres unified as one orbital [Dyson-Sphere] that protects the [Core] known as The Judge Group. We are playing against the Self whether we are aware of this or not, because no one truly masters anything outside of ourselves if we have not mastered our mind first.

The practice and search for deeper understanding of [self-mastery] is for me a Lifelong journey. I, personally, must never become complacent and rest on my laurels. Knowing this Truth forces me to become hyper-aware of myself, my thoughts, and my adversaries [all of these are born from my consciousness first and then expand outward]. Deep searching for the secrets of [self-mastery] is also never ending, because there will always be vulnerabilities in our position, fallacies in our foresight, and the [King's castle] is always exposed to potential threats from every angle.

Whether it is mastering our emotions, our ego, expanding empathy, or facing our deepest Fears ... we must always be aware of these tactical exploits beneath the hidden layers of our Truth. The reason such awareness is crucial is because they will always reflect how we behave around other human beings. This Truth cannot be overstated.

A wise man once told me, "Never underestimate the depth of Human Insecurity." All of us are insecure to some degree or depth... and if we say that we are not insecure, then we are just lying to the person in the mirror's reflection. Acceptance is the first step toward improving our position. It is important we master our [mind] first, because it is our greatest obstacle. It is our ally and adversary. If left to unchecked _ our mind will transform into a [critic, monkey-mind, or trickster] (Jim Murphy).

Playing chess teaches us Empathy simultaneously teaching us how to Fail, because the game forces us to view the board from all angles, every position, our viewpoint, our opponent's viewpoint, and recognize patterns. Good moves or Bad moves, we will inevitably lose many times over before we win... and believe me when I say this: the "ego" will be crushed.

In psychology, Chess activates the [Theory of Mind] (ToM) concept into sharper focus. [Theory of Mind] states having the cognitive ability to understand that other human beings have their own distinct mental states... beliefs, desires, intentions, emotions, knowledge that might differ from our own personal sphere. This profound understanding is pivotal for navigating meaningful social interactions in the professional environment, predicting behavior with clients and colleagues, and most importantly empathizing with the human being sitting across from us in both interviews and collaboration... even when it is difficult.

Every human being has their own sphere [inner world (thoughts, feelings, directives)]... and all of us have our own initiatives on this existential plane. Recognizing and understanding others' perspectives can be different from our own is not only vital in the professional sphere through [mutual respect]... but also translates into beneficial qualities binding us together and propelling us outward into real-world interactions. Empathy can reinforce improved predictive behavior using mental state index references.

I personally believe having the capacity to empathize with our colleagues, candidates, and collaborators will only strengthen our professional bonds, our emotional resolve, enable us to better predict behavior in the professional workspace, and ultimately merging Judge into a cohesive system of the collective Judge hive-mind multipying compute for The Judge Cube to enhance staffing calculus and execute brilliant moves.

Grandmasters consider the Queen sacrifice the most beautiful move, because the Queen is the most powerful piece, necessitates long-term compensation, and requires sacrifice. The [Core] of Judge is the [King] which every piece must protect. I paint this visualization, because we contribute calculus for [King's fortress] - Judge. We are all playing the long-game called [Strong-People-Powered-Solutions]. This term summarizes what The Staffing Industry business model is all about.
It is about People.
It is about Connection.
It is about Passion. Driven. Purpose.
I continue to reference that we are in the Endgame now. Because _ in this game Humanity is playing, there will be no stalemate, no draw, and the winner will Truly... Take... All. I want to close the thought with a quote and poem surrounding this topic.

"Do not fear Failure. _ Not Failure, but low aim, is the crime.
In great attempts, it is glorious even to Fail."
- Bruce Lee [1940-1973]

[I'd Rather Be A Failure]
Author: Edgar Albert Guest [1881-1959]
{I'd rather be a failure than the man who's never tried;
I'd rather seek the mountain-top than always stand aside.
Oh, let me hold some lofty dream and make my desperate fight,
And though I fail I shall know I tried to serve the right.

The idlers line the ways of Life and they are quick to sneer;
They note the failing strength of man and greet it with a jeer;
But there is something deep inside which coffers frail to view-
They never see the glorious deed the failure tried to do.

Some men there are who never leave the city's well-worn streets;
They never know the dangers grim the bold adventurer meets;
They never seek a better way nor serve a nobler plan;
They never risk with failure to advance the cause of man.

Oh, better 'tis to fail and fall in sorrow and despair,
Than stand where all is safe and sure and never face a care;
Yes, stamp me with the failure's brand and let men sneer at me,
For though I've failed the Lord shall know the man I tried to be.}