“We don’t stop playing because we grow old, but rather we grow old because we stop playing.” – Karl Groos
As I was picking a few strawberries today, I imagined the ways that garden work can be done with a playful spirit. I pictured harvesting these shaded berries and digging up the deep crabgrass roots as a kind of hide-and-seek game. After a week of weeding and planting during a hot, dry spell, trying to shift my mindset makes the work a little more fun.
In the last reflection I wrote, I shared how one quality of true play is that the experience is more important than the outcome. While I believe the liberation, enjoyment, and leisure that come with true play is essential to keep our spirits, I also did consider the ways that we are able to make necessary work more lighthearted. Working with children reminds me of the ways we might transform the mundane tasks of picking up toys or matching socks into a race or game of go fish. Maintaining that sense of play in my own home truly does bring me back to my inner child.
While playing during times of such collective trauma might almost feel selfish to some, I would like to affirm it as a birthright. When the time comes to pause from the way pain consumes us, playing liberates, heals, and forces us to be a little more present.
May we find balance and boundaries when showing up for work. Let us work playfully and play intentionally. Remind us of the wisdom of our younger self and release us from our pasts and futures for a time. I pray our lives feel more full and joyful when we show up to play.
In what ways have you made work more playful lately? Or have you played as a break from work?
Please consider joining our private Facebook group: UUFM Children’s Faith Development (https://www.facebook.com/groups/1404655806251029/). This group is intended for families and congregants who are involved in Children’s Faith Development. My approval of new members’ access to the information there is what makes the group a safe space for sharing. I will be sharing our weekly stories as Facebook videos on my personal page publicly and sharing them in the group, as well as short prayers and meditations.
Link to the stories: Our virtual Stories for All Ages are now available on the UUFM YouTube Channel. At least one new story will be available by Sunday, each week.
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCNwWkbABO6HpDlw5Po2TdQA?view_as=subscriber
Youth Group: Melissa K. and Macey are hosting our regular Sunday Zoom meeting this week, June 20th from 11:30am-12:30pm. As always, details can be found on our private Facebook group and will be sent via email.
Virtual Children’s Chapel: Danielle and Macey are meeting in-person, outside of the UUFM on Saturday, June 19th from 1-3pm for games, tie-dye, and connection (whole families, including any youth who missed last week are welcome to attend). As always, details can be found on our private Facebook group and will be sent via email.
