Play

PLAY = to move lightly and quickly; to occupy or busy oneself; amuse oneself; engage in active exercise; frolic; the spontaneous activity of children

QUESTION: What would you like to play today?

STORY: When I was 8 or 9 years old, I became concerned about my parents squabbling. I didn’t take sides with mom or dad. Instead I got out my crayons and began drawing figures of mom and dad - kinda like they were paper dolls. Then, I’d cut out the crayon drawing of mom and would pretend to kinda talk with her as I sat on the living room floor by myself. And, then, I cut out the crayon drawing of dad and put him next to mom and began playing with them. They’d argue with each other - and then, I pretended they were having dinner and just chatting with each other and being friendly. It was a way for me to kinda take charge of a situation that I had no control of. Mom and dad actually did try to make the marriage work - but they divorced when I was 14. Carl Jung says the Soul in us expresses itself in images. Imagination drawing is a safe, effective way that I have learned to help people connect with and draw out their inner, Higher Self - their Soul.

QUOTES

“You can discover more about a person in an hour of play than in a year of conversations.” ~ Plato

“Play is the highest form of research.” ~ Albert Einstein

“Think of playtime like an innovation lab where tomorrow’s civilization is being actively designed.” ~ Jordan Shapiro

“Play is often talked about as if it were a relief from serious learning. But for children, play is serious learning. Play is really the work of childhood.” ~ Fred Rogers

“Play is the highest expression of human development for it is the free expression of what is in a child's soul.” ~ Friedrich Frobel

EXERCISE

STOP.

Relax.

Open your heart and play with yourself for a minute or two. Listen to your heart as you reach for your pen and paper.