Rediscovering the Joy of Play

Once a famous psychologist asked a room full of children," Do you know how to play?" The children all began to laugh and shouted, "YES!" She then asked them to give examples of how they played. The children could not stop giving all the different and unique ways they had discovered to play. Then as a part of her opening agenda in doing a seminar on the Consequences of Workaholics, the topic of play was presented. She asked the participants to start playing spontaneously. Only a few stood up to try. The rest sat in their chairs, staring anxiously at one another.

Years of education, responsibilities, and pressures to perform have turned many of us into people who have forgotten how to play. We become afraid to have a good time, let go, and relax. We instead proudly reflect the virtues of the "work (aholic) ethic", which ties our sense of self and value to productivity and to doing things perfectly. WE ARE WHAT WE DO! AND WE HAVE TO DO THINGS RIGHT! Master Workaholics even have developed great talent to make the art of play.....Work!

If you know you carry this infection of workaholism...there is hope. One of the more powerful antidotes is play. To truly play is play. To truly play is to be totally in the moment ...yesterdays are gone and the future not given a thought. As such, play has been demonstrated to have a positive effect on our economy, environment, and social diversity. "Holy Cow, Batman, I didn't know that!" PLAY IS GOOD!

If your mind draws a blank when trying to come up with a play activity or if you mind begins to give you "rational reasons" not to play, just take yourself anywhere there are children. You may need only to take time to observe your child(ren) or go to a part or playground. Remember what it was like to play as a kid. Close your eyes and try to bring back those experiences to your present time. Then, as spontaneously as you can, go do something fun. If you initially need help, ask for suggestions from your friends, partner, spouse, or your child. Whatever they offer, don't analyze; just try it. The feelings that might be generated may surprise (and please) you. If you find yourself being a hardcore workaholic, consider finding a professional play coach...they are out there just waiting to assist you.

Play and Have Fun.