“It is a happy talent to know how to play.”
–Ralph Waldo Emerson, American writer, 1803–1882
When is the last time you carved out time for yourself to play? Has it been a while? Are you always too busy to play?
In what ways do you play? Are you afraid you may have forgotten how? Maybe you have some favorite ways of relaxing that provide a break from the heavy burden of responsibility all adults have to carry – that day at the spa, the drinks with friends after work, the nap on Sunday afternoon – but you wouldn’t characterize any of these as “play.” Maybe you recognize that relaxation practices by themselves never quite fully replenish you from the inside out.
Certainly, relaxation and play are related, but they are not the same. For adults, relaxation is a way to release tension and ease stress in the body and mind. Relaxation activities may sometimes be mechanisms for pleasure, or they may sometimes be an attempt to numb from the harsh realities of life. Bottom line, while beneficial, relaxation by itself often doesn’t go very far in filling the emotional and spiritual well.
What is play and how is it different from relaxation? To answer that question, imagine many young children at a park on a warm summer day. It can be a made-up scene, or it can be a place that is familiar to you. Think of a spot where there are trees, a playground with all kinds of equipment and structures, open spaces and perhaps some sort of water feature.
Maybe close your eyes for a moment, pay attention to what is happening at this park in your mind’s eye. Observe the children closely. What do you see? What sounds do you hear? What words would you use to describe the children?
You might see things like smiling, walking, running, sitting, splashing, climbing, sliding, game-playing, social engagement. Play is active, interactive and creative.
You might hear sounds like laughter, screaming, crying, shouting, conversation. Play stimulates emotions and expression.
You might describe the children as energized, active, uninhibited, creative, focused, emotional, absorbed, delighted, happy, carefree. Play connects us with the unselfconscious essence of who we are and allows us to be fully in the moment at hand. Play has the ability to relax us into a timeless space of Being that deeply connects us with whatever is happening in the here and now. Some might refer to that place of Being as soul connection.
“Being” is capitalized because play has the capacity to restore us to who we are – holiness and wholeness – apart from what we do. Being, as opposed to Doing, is a state of existence that is enjoyed for its own sake, not for the sake of any achievement or accomplishment.
Play stimulates the mind, body and spirit. Play replenishes and refreshes. Play is fun! If you struggle to know how to play, then make a list of things you loved to do when you were a little kid, and then go enjoy one of them. Think of it as a science experiment. Give yourself 30 minutes to play, and notice what happens inside you. Perhaps your holiness and wholeness will rise up to greet you.
The Rev. Jill Morgan is an interfaith minister, hospice chaplain and healing practitioner who lives in the Monadnock region. Learn more about her and her work at wellspringswithin.com.