What does playtime mean to you? Have you had enough playtimes in your life
lately? I know your probably saying, "I am a busy person, I have a lot of
responsibilities, I'm an adult, I haven't got time to play." It's easy to forget
to play. After a long time away from playing we forget how to play. It creeps up
on us. Before you know it you are overtaken with 'Serious Adult Mind'. Yuk, your
stuck. You have lost your enthusiasm, spontaneity and creativity. You have lost
your sparkle.
For me, playtime means creating, discovering, adventure, fun. I do not like
being stuck in any way, so I have become quite an expert at playing, and even I,
who has made play my life's work, can slip into 'Ms. Serious Adult Head', ugh.
My serious adult head can be interesting for a little awhile but it quickly
bores me, and I'm sure, others.
In my childhood my favorite time of the school day was recess. I got to run
outside, climb trees, play hide and seek with my friends, swing on the swings,
draw pictures in the dirt with sticks I found, hunt for special stones and
rocks. Pretend, to be anything I wanted that day.
At home I would spend countless hours giving tea parties under two old
weeping willow trees in our backyard, speaking to invisible little people,
pretending to be a lady, with one of my mother's dresses on and, of course, her
emerald green and diamond earnings, (they weren't real, they just looked real).
I was so happy pretending and playing. I just loved it. Then I hit a rough
spot…
I had to get serious, I had to strive. I forgot all about play for a long
time. I would get glimpses of it now and then, but I had to turn my head towards
more serious things. Then one day I went for a walk in a party store. I had to
get white cardboard plates for a party. You can see how sensible, practical and
serious I had become. I walked through the store and it was Technicolor to me.
The isles were stocked with bright colored dishes, cutlery and napkins in
turquoise, pinks and chartreuse. It took me out of the drabs. I brightened up. I
walked right past the white cardboard section and I chose pink with turquoise
serving pieces. When I found the cards I stopped for awhile. I had to pick a
couple of cards up for people, so I had a look. I was still there twenty minutes
later, laughing out loud. Greeting cards can be hysterical. When your down this
is a sure picker upper.
Then I walked down the isle of small fun happy items. Such as pens with
feathers and a little crown that bounces on the top as you write, little wind up
toys, like bunnies in pick up trucks and a chicken driving a helicopter. My
personal favorite was the red and white dentures that chatter and walk. I was in
my glory. I played with them all. I laughed and laughed. I kept piling things in
my cart. I hadn't realized I needed these things so much.
One hour in the toy store made such a difference. When I got home I realized
I had to have play back into my life again. It was then I started to create a
new life and a new vision. I began to move toward things and people that would
make my heart sing. I wore less high heels and stockings and more jeans and
sneakers, (unless, of course I was having fun with the high heels.) Fun started
to be the name of the game for me. I began to rethink career and lifestyle
choices. The more I played, the more fun I had, the more I attracted people that
were fun, happy and interesting to be around. Things were changing. I forgot the
old me and became free in spirit. The more I played the more my life changed and
here I am still having fun. My life and work have become play. Everyday is a
play day. Like I said in the beginning; every once and awhile 'Ms. Serious Head'
creeps in, but I get rid of her pretty quick, before she could ruin everything.
I know that playing is good for my health. It is healing on every level. When
I am playing I lose track of time. I let go of things that used to bother me. I
smile, laugh, I feel light and buoyant. I am most alive when I am playing.
Headaches disappeared, digestion problems were relieved. Anxiety, which I had
bouts with my whole life become more infrequent. Fun and play make a fertile
environment for health.
I became more creative about how I saw work. I saw for the first time that I
didn't have to be stuck. A good part of my day was work and I wanted it to be
happy and stress free. Again, I made some changes.
I finally left that job. It just wasn't part of my plan anymore. Playing
unlocked a door for me. I was back to my true self which allowed me to see my
right calling. My creativity, imagination and intuition were back. As my
creative nature returned I began operating from my own uniqueness I became very
intuitive. I knew immediately what was right or wrong for me. Once you're in
touch with your play nature you won't go against it anymore.
Play is very romantic. It actually makes you more attractive to others. The
more you engage in play the more your vibes change. You lose self consciousness,
you become relaxed and carefree, as you let go of your serious side. You live
your life with more joy and passion. People that play are enchanting. Your
energy changes from serious, needy and perhaps dull to one of radiant joy.
Believe me, that is very attractive. Playing and having fun brings out the light
in your face. It tickles your insides. Play speaks the language of the heart.
The more you play, the more your fun and lovable side emerges. You become
irresistibly attractive; drawing to you all that is good as you let your own
magic shine from within.
How do you start? You can buy some children's building blocks and build
something or a lot of something's. Knocking your structures down is just as much
fun as building them up. You can color in coloring books, play children's games
like jacks, jump rope or hula hoops. Spend some time blowing bubbles. You can
play explorer in the woods. Finding and following trails, climbing over logs,
finding stuff on the forest floor like special stones that sing out to you. You
can spend an hour in a toy store just to explore. You can watch children's
video's like The Lion King. You could learn to juggle. You could play with paint
and sparkly stuff and glue, and not worry about getting dirty, You could listen
to some rocking music and get up and dance. You'll feel the real you screaming
to get out. Start now and find out what kind of play makes your heart sing. Dare
to be playful. It's a choice that could change your life. |