Let’s Play

Posted on by Miriam

Last night after dinner we went for a walk and on the way home we detoured to the local park near the kindergarten where my son (now 15) attended years ago.  “I’m going on the swing mum” he said, running off before I could reply.

20160218_201923.jpg I used to love it when the kids were younger and we’d go to the park.  It gave me an excuse to join them on the swings, slide down the slide, climb the monkey bars and balance on beams, pretending I was a gymnast.  Those days are long gone but last night I had another chance. So what’s a girl to do?  Easy, of course, hop on the swing and aim for the sky.

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It felt sooo good.  As I pushed my legs higher and higher I felt such a sense of exhilaration.  For what seemed an eternity but was probably only a few minutes all my cares were gone, replaced by an overwhelming feeling of freedom. And pure joy.

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When did life get so serious?  When did we lose our playful mode?    Maybe when we became self conscious and insecure or afraid.  We need to let go of these insecurities and allow ourselves the freedom to do what used to come so naturally.   At least I do.

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I need to do this more often.  There’s something oddly liberating about feeling so out of control. And not worrying about it.  I think everyone needs to hang lose a bit.

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And not just with kids.  That’s easy to do.  Being playful means going through our life with enthusiasm and a heart full of positive thoughts.  It means giving in and softening up to those pillow fights rather than word fights that hurt.  Now older and more relaxed I’m learning but it’s not always easy, life gets so serious and I forget about the small things.  Let’s all surrender to being slightly out of control and invite a world of happiness.

George Bernard Shaw said it best, “We don’t stop playing because we grow old; we grow old because we stop playing”.

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So what are we are waiting for.   Let’s be spontaneous and do things for the sheer delight of doing them, whether it’s splashing through puddles, swinging high in the sky or just being plain silly for awhile.  Your world will be better for it.  I know mine was last night.

 

 

 

 

40 thoughts on “Let’s Play”

  1. That’s great advice, and something I try to always be mindful of. A little bit of silliness & playfulness can go a long way to making any day a better day. For yourself and others 😀 Awesome quote from Shaw too – love it!

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  2. This is beautiful, Miriam 🙂
    Daddy used to do this, too, when I was a child. And I was proud. And I used to brag to all my friends with him. 🙂
    We did it again last week when we were in the mountains.
    I am glad you did it, too.
    George Bernard Shaw is so right 🙂
    Have a wonderful weekend, Miriam!
    ❤

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  6. I sneak off to the park to swing. I got daring a few months ago and jumped off at a pretty high point going forward. I landed with no injury and ended up laughing till my sides hurt. It’s good to feel like a kid every now and then.

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