I am feeling that " back to school" vibe today because my son is starting Law School and my husband beginning a new job. Though they are 35 years apart in age there is still the same kind of anticipation and excitement that reminds me of my own school experience. I was reminded that for me back to school was the end of one kind of Play and the beginning of another. Maybe it is because I began something new myself this weekend, launching a new partnership and workshop project for entrepreneurs that has me thinking about new beginnings and play. As I was teaching the participants about the importance of knowing what each of us uniquely brings to others I was reminded of my own mission. I am here to teach people " when we play we are god".
I believe that when we play we access our highest good, our most authentic creative selves, are automatically put into a positive frame of mind and we let go of those negative thoughts and feelings effortlessly. I mean no disrespect to other ways of using the word god. This is my own particular meaning of the word god. For me there is a god in each of us and it has a power and a presence that leads the way through play.
I also believe that we are meant to do this together! There can of course great benefit to time spent alone and I highly recommend it. That time though is for us to refuel, recharge, and reconnect with ourselves so we can “play well with others". None of us is meant to go through this life alone. We are meant to share the journey with a lot of other folks. '
On that note it is a Paradox that it seems to take most of us a good bit of effort to actually allow ourselves to Play. If you have been following this month’s theme you might wonder how this fits in with Truth Telling. The connection for me is that it is through play that we come to know the truth about others and ourselves. When we play we let go of all the thinking that blocks this truth. When we play the truth of who we are just bubbles up and presents itself.
In the Playful Art of Relationship workshop we have an activity where the participants choose a nametag based on an archetype of a fictional character. They then choose accessories that bring that character to life. Each time I do this workshop I am mesmerized by the transformation that happens! Often there is resistance in the beginning. There is a bridge to pass over which seems to have a troll sitting beneath it, yelling a berating message about play being nonsense, risky, stupid or some such thing.
Once the bridge is crossed and the costumes are put on however, the play begins. I have a feeling that if I could take a picture of the atmosphere in the room at that moment you would see a bright light around every single person. As the play progresses and the participants let go of self-consciousness and fully inhabit their character, a funny thing happens. They become more and more authentically themselves. The truth of who they really are is present. By pretending to be someone else they see the truth about who they truly are. A truth that sets them free! Oh happy day, I must be playing, I managed to bring this back around to this months Theme.
This week I encourage you to Play around often and even more often then seems healthy. Especially if you have an important date or meeting. Especially if you are feeling cranky or like you aren't achieving your goals fast enough. Especially if you are in love with life and want more.
Ask yourself these questions:
If I weren't taking this at all seriously what would I do?
If I were to pretend to be (fill in the blank with someone you admire) how would I act?
What kind of play would be fun to put in my schedule today?
What do I notice happens when I play?
Notice opportunities to Play as often as possible. Then notice what happens when you are able to be playful with the circumstances and the people in your life.
Cheers,
Kat
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