Playfulness

play

I went through a decade where I was convinced that fun should be a four letter word. It’s not that I didn’t want to have fun. Instead, while I and my peers made having fun a main goal, each group activity was sorely lacking it.

Playfulness is serious business for a boy of seven and a girl of one. I get to observe it every day. Yet serious business does not preclude the spirit of joy, which rather quickly brings me to my point.

Fun, like happiness seems more byproduct of meaningful engagement then the aim of it. Fun is not a primary goal. Children just jump into play, sometimes tossing their energy freely into the next whim, and other times pursuing a direction until all the entire line has been played out. And they let themselves get lost in the unfolding while the imagination comes to bear on the present (perhaps even stumbles out of the woods of the unconscious like a bear).

Tomorrow I’m going to do what I can to get lost in what presents itself. Maybe I’ll bump into you way out there. I think it’s time for the hibernation to end.

LisaNewton

Personally, I feel like I'm "playing" everytime I pick up my camera. We, as adults, often lose the idea of needing play, and that's a true shame.

I hope everyone enjoys a little playtime tomorrow............:)

<abbr>LisaNewton´s last blog post..Sun and Fun at the Santa Monica Pier</abbr>

Jeb Dickerson

It's a wonderful aspiration (though at times it feels more like an apparition) Richard. I hate waking up from my own recurring hibernations to find I've let so many moments go by, leaving far too much fun on the table. There's so much to this idea of playfulness...I'm feeling quite certain it's at the root of much of which I'm searching for. Meaning? Purpose? Passion? The life I'm meant to live?

Playfulness, as a path, leads to all. Time to trail blaze.

<abbr>Jeb Dickerson´s last blog post..Running man</abbr>

ccseed

Hey Jeb,
The word can be taken in so many ways: like the play in a steering wheel, the dramatic play, the execution of a football play...In all cases it seems that there is a guiding script, but that the execution leaves room for the unique unfolding.

Sue James

Thank you for such a great post - and for prompting me to reflect again on the power of playfulness - something that resonates very much for me both personally and professionally.

Reading your post brought a story to mind that, as I began writing it here as a comment, I realised was becoming far too long.

So, with acknowledgement of your blog post as the source, I've written that story on my own blog instead: The Power of Play: Shirley's Story
<abbr>Sue James´s last blog post..The Colour of Days</abbr>

Mike A

I am having a conversation with my Father about Fulfillment and Fun and He reminded me of this idea- The activity, if we give our attention to it, can bring fulfillment and or Fun more then the specific task or activity itself can bring. “Are you working, having Fun or Both” he often asks – maybe both is the answer when you engage with what you are doing rather then enduring it for the expected outcome.

<abbr>Mike A´s last blog post..Victory for Hancock NY on the fight to stop NYRI</abbr>

ccseed

Great to get your father's perspective Mike. It's so valuable to go for the "both."

Mike A

I have been and still tend to be a "Clip Board" kind of guy - of the "Let's schedule some fun time" mentality - however, I have been aware of the benefits of letting go leading to spontaneous fun. This is one of the biggest lessons I have been learning from my kids. 13+ years ago on a trip to Myrtle Beach with the three oldest kids - My oldest daughter colored a small sticker of a "Sun" with a smile face on it and gave it to me by sticking it on the face of my watch. Through a little divine inspiration my reaction was uncharacteristic - rather then quickly removing it so the glue wouldn't permanently fasten to the lens I left it on. The result was that every time my reflex was to look at my watch to check how we were doing on time compared to our "schedule" I was reminded to relax and have fun. After that trip I decided to not where a watch anymore and still don't. Between my PDA and outlook reminders there are already too many reminders of "time" that draw me away from the Moments that are important.

Have a Happy and FUN Easter

lilyofoz

'and they let themselves get lost in the unfolding'

Yes they do CC, one can only hope they never lose the wonder of play. I'm visiting my second childhood at 45, with a whole new and wondrous view. Play on my friend.

~lily