Ok. So is there really any purpose of the villagers reflecting? I mean it's cute and all but is there any benefits?

Well, the makers of the game have made it pretty consistant with REAL life situations ... as in other posts earlier, doing the laundry, enjoying the pond, admiring the gong casing, even praising and arguing (lol) are all aspects of true life.
For some people, meditating, reflecting, honoring the dead, relaxing, etc. are asthetic pursuits that help to balance out the everyday "rat race" living that some people thrive on (and do good at but some are NOT lol) at that level. It is not just good for the body, it is also good for the inner parts of us we don't see, but we certainly experience for better or worse, depending on what we are doing. It promotes well being and peace. Those who are goal oriented only just might not see it that way, but that's ok ... different strokes for different folks. The villagers are taking their time, and enjoying the journey when we leave them to it :). Good lesson to be learned in our own journeys!

I agree Rainbowlady! And what is good for the mind is good for the body and vice versa!!
Remember, "healthy and happy villagers attempt new things"!! I think their happiness is the goal of the game!

I agree!

NOWWW YOU'RE "THINKIN'" :D!!!! Gotta read between the lines as it were ... and there are lots of lessons to be learned just by watching your little ones go about their day!!! LOL I love it when they go and "teach" to a totem, or complain to it, or even give praise to it. As children, they get a little lonely and sit down near the mosaic ... then they grow up and do it once in a while as adults ... they get bored like we do, when they don't understand or if they don't like what they are doing, they say an emphatic "NO" ... I've realized if that is happening too many times and their life meter is suffering a bit, that it is time to put them somewhere else to learn something new. You can usually tell if they are really suited to a particular occupation becuse they will become trainees within one or two tries!! Most of the time I don't even have to make any stews -- I just am aware of how high their life meter is and adjust things if needed.

And like real life, some people are happy throughout their whole life just doing one thing ... but some, after a while, get tired and stressed, so sometimes a change is needed. When they become elderly, I usually unclick them from any paths and let them choose where to go, unless they truly LIKE to slowly go fishing, etc. (sometimes what they did when they were younger gets to be too much for them and it shows in their life meter).

I also think that participation and moving things around a bit, as well as giving them clothing of the color they like helps too ... and I 99-100% of the time get an event every night when I check in with them. I have my game set to 1/2 time ... a nice leisurely pace.

I very much agree. It's always best to take the time to smell the flowers during your journey through life.

That's right, Arnie (and very romantic! )
I'll give my villagers' name to the visitors of my nursery!!

Wow! I never really thought about it that way! Very insightful Rainbowlady!

Thanks Actually I must also thank all the teachers I've met and learned from on my way for the info ... my passion is holistic healing, so I am building on that way of life, and am an active practitioner and participant of same. It is a great tool for awakening the awareness to the subtleties of life, and better ways to interact/deal with it for myself and with others. It was great to see some of the teachings I learned unfolding in this wonderful game :). Very Zen LDW ... thanks a bunch!!!