I don’t post very often, but I couldn’t resist this weeks topic! As soon as Michael told me we’d be all about play and fun, I
immediately thought of my “play guru”, Sark! Here’s a quote from her book, Make Your Creative Dreams Real: A Plan for Procrastinators, Perfectionists, Busy People, and People Who Would Really Rather Sleep All Day:
“Inside” Children
Inside each of us are the children we were at each developmental stage.
With regard to our creative dreams, these inside children can prevent us from living them by “acting out” in order to try to get our attention. Your inner 5-year-old is not going to patiently wait as you learn intricate metalworking techniques or study impressionist painting. Yet, your inner 10-year-old may be perfectly suited to learn and observe new skills.
What’s really needed is parenting of these inside children so that we bring them to age-appropriate activities.”
— Susan Ariel Rainbow Kennedy (SARK)
The words ‘play’ and ‘fun’ don’t occur at all in this wonderful quote, but that’s what she’s saying to me.
What do you think of when you hear the word “play”?
Wiffle ball with your 6-year-old in the back yard?
The latest Xbox game?
Sudoku?
They’re certainly playful, but are they FUN?
I’m learning that I like play that contains elements of creativity, imagination and inspiration. I have the most fun when I let my inner five-year-old remind me how amazing it felt to learn and experiment.
I remember how much I loved finger painting when I was in kindergarten. I bet I’d still like it.
I’m gonna take my five year old self for a walk and let her look under rocks for cool bugs, take home whichever ones she wants, imitate the birds and then let her finger paint them when she gets home.
Sounds like fun to me!

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