Tuesday, June 15, 2021
Playfulness is an essential part of nature. Observe animals, for example – dogs and cats play, dolphins toss around playfully, and other animals tumble around, gleefully. Playfulness is not just for juveniles, either – it’s for all of us. Playfulness connects you to three essential tenants of joy – Laughter, Lightness, and Love. It allows you total freedom from inhibition and worry. Playfulness lightens the heaviness of mental labels of things deemed “important.” Even the most serious moments can be better, if some playfulness is introduced. Could you imagine if politicians laughed more, if they loved more, and if they lightened the so-called importance of their work more?
If your life has become a burden, and you feel everything is one, seriously heavy chore – it’s time to go out and play! Bring the fun of recess back into your life. Make playfulness a priority. I’m not implying that you slack off, or cut corners in your work, but that you reflect on the unneeded seriousness of everything. Be creative, like you used to – write a story, color in a coloring book, or just go out and find neat things in nature. Take the severity out of your life. Treat everything like an adventure – you’re an explorer; you’re a tourist; you’re a guest; or you’re a gypsy – just playfully pretend, and see what happens.
See your surroundings as if you’re seeing them for the very first time – wide-eyed, curious, and playful. Take a new route to a usual destination. Cook a new kind of meal. Introduce yourself to a new person. Try to start a new habit. What could you do that feels playful? It’s time to bring fun back into our daily lives. The sky’s the limit. Being playful is anything that makes you feel love, that lightens the mood, and that brings back curiosity and laughter to your inner child. Go play today, it’s time to take a break from all of this unnecessary worry!