Its 7 p.m. here in India right now. While coming from office today (yeah! we work on Saturdays) I bumped into neighbourhood kids. I asked them that what they did today and pat came the reply – “we played”.
It made me think – as adults, how often do we play? By playing I mean it in true sense - in the playground -a cricket, football or rugby match? Why do we adults think that we have hundreds of responsibilities on our head? Why is our enjoyment limited to going out for movies, shopping, parties, eating out, chatting unnecessary with people around?
True that we need these activities as well to let our presence known and stand tall in the social arena, but where has the kid in all of us gone?
The kid who wanted to steal every opportunity to play, to get dirty on the ground, the kid who knew no boundaries, no tensions, no stress .........
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There is a kid in me. He can no longer count all of his birthdays on one hand or all of his appendages combined but he still thrives. He is still curious, easily distracted, and sure to try and jump over a mud puddle rather than walk around it. Even when he lands in the middle, and walks home in muddy, wet shoes, he chalks it up to experience and vows to get a better running start the next time. His toys have evolved over the years: From plastic animals and helicopters, to guitars and weights to cars and boats. Now, a bike ride, a fishing pole, hand tools, lumber and wood, a guitar and a Frisbee tossed to his dogs are standard play toys. When he plays, stress takes a back seat to invigoration. Worry melts down to perspiration, leaves his body and evaporates. Stress? Worry? When he is engaged in play he forgets that he ever worried about money or job or a relationship. Stress that can pull at his body and mind are non-existent. The harder he plays, the more endorphins will play a part in forming a bridge to his next playtime, allowing him to keep an optimistic attitude and sense of humor until then. Thanks, Nitima, for reminding me how important it is to play!