Play. Because it opens the door to joy a moment at a time. I needed to play today! All the hand washing, cleaning, etc. was a little much this afternoon. Honestly, I was cleaning a freakn’ bag of red potatoes this afternoon. Who knew cleaning groceries before bringing them into the house could be a thing?
What color is joy? What does it smell like? Taste like? Sound like? Feel like? How do we know joy? I imagine the answers are different for all of us …
Here is something that many people don’t realize: I read books on play and hang out with early childhood educators once a month in a play book club I belong to. I’m a bit of an outlier as my background differs. These resources are not just for educators, they are also for parents, leaders, and those in organizations. In my mind these books and this list of resources are for all of us. The connection may not necessarily be clear cut, but I can tell you there is wealth of learning in this list which speaks to …
Today was the first day I ventured out to the grocery store since we’ve been told to socially isolate, stay home, and go out only for essentials. What I didn’t fully realize was that I would be attending an all-out Halloween party where all the party-goers [shoppers] would be dealing with change . . . Who wouldn’t be jazzed about attending such an event. I was so excited I was up at 3 am wondering how I might navigate this new-world experience.
Music can uplift, put a bounce in a person’s step, literally it can take you to another place and time. What is your favorite music to dance to? To sing to? To hang with you in uncertainty? Music send us to another place and time or it might motivate us.to get up off our feet and dance or set our toes to tapping.
This is a question I ask myself on a regular basis. It’s fun, it takes me out of my current mind frame and invites me to play with whatever is going on. I am not talking about being a “goody two-shoes” either. Look, there is an issue that is facing the whole world right now – Covid 19. Everyone is having to deal with it one way or the other. It’s all over the media – it’s all anyone talks about … Fear and worry are not generally connective spaces to be in on a regular basis. Play is an antidote.
Every day is an adventure and in the last week we’ve all had some humdingers. Today I was going to go to the grocery store. I didn’t. Why? … What would have been crazy two weeks ago is not crazy now. And so we make decisions, do the best we can hanging out with Uncertainty.
How can we see ourselves and maybe others with fresh eyes? How might we grow into new ways of being and doing? Earlier this year I began to play with the idea of calling myself The Bad Ass. At that point in time I was doing some solo play … it brought perspective. No one else was aware, and I found this new name game intriguing. Being The Bad Ass allowed me to play with who I was and the different ways I might approach various situations.
Joy is playing hide and seek with me and she may be winning! Ha! Oh my goodness it has been a difficult day! Too much news and I’ve barely been on-line. There are days, when if you want to experience joy you have to make it or find it yourself. Have you tried …
I’ve been asked can we add joy into our lives even at times like these? Yes, play is just as important for adults as it is for children. It’s a door to joy, to connection, to learning and growing throughout our lifetime. It is as helpful to have access to any times as it helps us … Of course, there are many ways to add more joy or play in our lives here is one of my favorite suggestions …
