Winter Playground
“Never, ever underestimate the importance of having fun.” – Randy Pausch
“The true object of all human life is play. Earth is a task garden; heaven is a playground.” – Gilbert K. Chesterton
A fresh coat of snow last weekend created the conditions for a winter playground and few turned down the invitation. In the forefront, two broomball games, in the background cross country skiing, snowboarding and sliding on the side hill with blue sky and warm sun filling the horizon. A glorious day!
The purpose of play, for rest, for wandering is to restore, rejuvenate and refuel. When we “schedule” play throughout each day, not just weekends, we keep our “tank” full rather than pushing to empty, exhausted and drained.
Polarity and extremes are on the world stage right now and it begins with individuals. Heal yourself, heal the world. Choose a different path that brings internal and eternal peace through balance, reflection and play. Perhaps if each of us committed to focusing on our own peace, empathy and understanding, we could do our part to heal the world.
Open spaces, quiet, fun, laughter, meditation, music, art, craft, nature all restore our capacity for joy, contentment and flow. Each day, lay down your burdens for a few minutes, recalibrate and balance. Within our burdens are seeds and roots of blessings. When we lay the weight that we carry down if but only for a moment or two, we get a glimpse of abundance and instructions on a new way to live. Exposed long enough to quiet and reflection, our scarcity mindset transforms to abundance.
In the nourishment of play, our dry bones come alive again. We need 8 glasses of water each day to stay hydrated. Create daily rituals to hydrate your spirit and soul as well. Oasis activities of a few minutes of meditation using Insight Timer, journaling, going for a walk, listening to music, reading, sliding down a hill are the “reps” we need to build our joy muscles. Patience, hope, ease, balance, generosity, humor, enthusiasm and energy are the outcomes of oasis practices.
There’s power in play. It’s recess time!
