PLAY

PLAY

PRACTICE: Don’t hurt your brain but can you remember the last time you engaged in child-like play?

I was reading something the other day that asked me to remember a game I played as a child. I couldn’t come up with anything, the canvas was completely blank. I don’t think I had a bad childhood but play obviously wasn’t a major focus. I believe that I carried that mentality into the raising of my only child. I provided more than enough opportunities for him to play but I was not good at playing with him. For me, play always needed a purpose. I have a strong work ethic, but my play ethic was less than desirable. Fortunately, my child had an overactive imagination and played well despite me or his father.

Somewhere along the way, I recognized the error of my ways and have attempted to redeem myself. I have been known to embarrass my son and a host of nieces and nephews by playing/dancing anywhere the urge strikes. Adult playtime lowers the walls of expectations and responsibilities. Playtime stimulates the brain and allows our imagination free range. It is good for our emotional health.

Over the last year, I have been a soldier (costume and all) in an Easter parade, planned and executed a tea party with a hat fashion show for two little princesses. I have painted pottery, played with wigs, recorded a lip singing video with my best friend and posted it on social media, carved pumpkins and ran a hospital for injured stuff animals. But the ‘piece de resistance’ was my speeding down the hill in front of my house on a sled after a Tennessee snow event…a first for me.

Much of this required a shedding of my appropriate “adultness,” and sent my creative nature into overdrive. Most importantly, play has helped me navigate the current pandemic without a meltdown. Play has improved my ability to function in my adult world.

Playing children have a lot to teach adults. When playing they become lost in the world of imagination – nothing else matters more than the conversation and activity with the friend or toy – nothing matters more than the moment. Adults whatever you are doing, NOTHING MATTERS MORE THAN THE MOMENT.

Zechariah 8: 4-5

PONDER THIS THOUGHT---Play is too important to discard just because of adulthood.