in the tranquil halls of our monastery, we have long contemplated the essence of board games, those predissolutionary artifacts that connect souls beyond time. a proposal i make to you, seeker of joy, is to approach each game with a heart neither seeking to belittle nor be belittled. there is profound wisdom in being guarded, yet open, allowing the spirit of camaraderie to flourish. should you find yourself at a crossroads, do not fear to recommence from scratch, for in every ending, there is the seed of a new beginning, just as the lotus blooms from the mud.