Where is the Zero in Sudoku?
Yes, I’ve finally gotten bitten by the Sudoku bug.
And it’s about time ‘cuz I was having such difficulty with all the down time between work and a family of 6 and all their school and sports events? I mean what am I supposed to do when I’ve already caught up on all the past episodes of Lost, 24, and Prison Break?
Thanks, Lynne, for giving me that innocent little Sudoku book.
Sudoku is a simple puzzle with very few rules. Just put every number in the right place.. the first time… with no guessing.
It feels good!
I think the satisfying thing about Sudoku is that all the little people, 1 through 9, find their place in life. In the lingo of Sudoku this is done by finding the constraints. If I’m a Sudoku number, I just pay attention to where everyone else is, what everyone else wants, and then whatever is left MUST be what I want.
Now, stick with me on this.
If we just make everyone else happy it will all fall into place. Right?
Well, in the puzzle it’s nice to have constraints find our place but we can’t live by that strategy in real life.
(if you’re missing the metaphor here, go and play Sudoku for about a month and come back… you’ll get it)
In real life, of course, it’s fine to help people find their place. I like to think I do that in my work from time to time. But sometimes we try to live in a Sudoku world and identify constraint after constraint on ourselves until we have no place. We are too busy finding others a place and taking what is left. We become the zero, the only digit that doesn’t have a place in the game.
Now, a zero in Sudoku world is frustrated, angry, depressed, resentful, or just plan nonproductive. All the other digits may even become concerned about zero but in the end can’t really help.
Solution:
If you see yourself as a zero, you need to become one of the numbers in the game, claiming your place, wanting to be somewhere, knowing you have been created to be in the game.
Believe me. I know some things about the Person who created the Puzzle and He says,” You’re in!”
Take your place.
David Hamilton
This is great writing. Incredible combination of sarcasm, metaphor, and poignancy. Put me on the list behind anewday0 for a copy of your book.
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This is a great article. I’ve played Sudoku – with a pencil – and those pesky little numbers do have their own place. Regarding the zero in Sudoku-land, I would say they have no place – stand on the sidelines – maybe wishing they could join but knowing they’re not a part of the game.