Learn
to Play
“The
creation of something new is not accomplished by the intellect but by
the play instinct.”
Carl
Jung
The
Google screen opens today with the question, “What advice would you
give your younger self?” Without hesitation, I thought, “Learn to
play.” That got me wondering about the definition of “play.”
It's as individual as human beings. What is play to me may be torture
to someone else. For instance, some people love to shop—it's play
for them. Finding some little treasure gives them pure joy. As for
me, I'd rather be beaten than shop for hours.
Webster's
definition: Engage in activity for enjoyment and recreation rather
than a serious or practical purpose. My friends have various ideas
about play. Ellen loves boating. Isie digs dirt and planting. Renae,
who lives on a farm, makes herself dresses with vegetable
themes—peas, corn. Annette belly dances and globe trots. I could go
on. As for me, messing with thread and fabrics makes me happy. And
dying fabric is the ultimate high!
Play
is just as important for adults as for children. It is the best way
to de-stress—better than drugs and alcohol by far, and leaves you
feeling good, not hung-over. According to Einstein, “Play is the
highest form of research,” and Ralph Waldo Emerson called it “a
happy talent.” Because play is so singular to each of us, it is
fundamentally creative. A few hours of play stimulates our creative
juices and makes us more productive when we return to the business of
work.
Today, I
hope you will engage in some activity for the purpose of enjoyment
and recreation. It's sabbath, after all. Work is prohibited!
In
the Spirit,
Jane
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