The Pacific Northwest is showing off today. It is a perfect blend of sunshine, a delicate breeze, and PNW peoples coming out of the Winter woodwork to greet one another with smiles.
Today I took a hike, washed my car without prompting, and have prepared a healthy and wonderful dinner that gets a tasty boost from home grown herbs from our garden.
It’s not unusual that I would take a hike, yet it hasn’t happen enough. Washing the car without prompting is a Christmas miracle in May – fun that is became a family affair and then have the neighbors stop by to chat. I can’t remember the last time I actually cooked dinner, and felt super excited about all the healthy ingredients in my mastermind meal prep self.
Yet of course this would happen on this day! This simple day of simple things reminds me to love each day. To find the simplicity and joy in each thing I’m working to achieve.
And, there it is, that word. Working. Today I remembered that all the “work” I’ve been doing this year, could also have been play like today. I could say, I’m going to play with clients today. Which, given my amazing clients, it definitely is a part of the truth.
When I phrase goals as work, they are. When I phrase goals as play, they are.
Which is not to say that there aren’t moments of suffering. We lost a dearest member of our family this week. She was laughing and sharing her giant heart last week, and had a stroke, then passed away nary three days later. That there is suffering and shock….I’m not overlooking that.
In fact, this post is informed by that. By the things that seem important, then no longer matter in the face of bigger things.
As I write this post, the neighborhood kids are playing together. They are ages 3 to 14 years old. They are all playing together despite their developmental differences. And from the happy shrieks of laughter echoing in our neighborhood, the kids don’t care about developmental differences nor tomorrow’s to-do items that crowd their thoughts of the now. They are just playing. Having fun.
Research is emerging on play for adults. It hasn’t gotten too far. Yet so so far, so good. Play, and an attitude of play, correspondences with greater work and home life satisfaction.
I’m encouraging you to play! Science, and our grandmothers, know it is great for us!
Additionally, when we talk about what we’re doing, let’s try using words related to play.
Meanwhile, please enjoy time in nature. The science is big on that one. It’s super good for us stressed out humans.
Let’s enjoy nature as you play toward enjoying this amazing gift of life.