"We don’t stop playing because we grow old; we grow old because we stop playing." - George Bernard Shaw
When was the last time you played or did something spontaneous that wasn’t scripted? Maybe you hung upside down on the monkey bars, flew a kite or pulled a harmless prank on someone. Most adults do not play enough. When I ask clients when they last did something fun, many say, “I don’t remember.” But ‘all work and no play’ doesn’t just make you dull; it can lead to ulcers. When not buzzing around making honey, even bumblebees play!
We humans are made to seek fun, but time has a way of knocking the joy smack out of us. Encouraging others to ‘lighten up’ is also not easy. I once had a father who wouldn’t play with his children because he felt, ’stupid sitting on the floor’; a mother who feared fingerpainting because it was ‘too messy’; and I continue to have couples who keep a tight leash on each other for fear their partner might have fun without them.
Research shows that play isn’t just about having fun, but it also includes, “taking risks, experimenting and testing boundaries.” It’s a powerful tool that builds confidence. Even playing video games increases your brain’s gray matter and helps your body heal! (Gray matter is associated with muscle control, memories, perception, and spatial navigation).
Recently I was at a party talking with a friend when a young man entered whom everyone seemed to know.
“Jake! Hey Jake!” several partygoers called out.
Clearly, Jake was very, self-assured and liked the adulation. Suddenly, I turned to my friend and said, “I don’t know this guy but here goes.”
“Jake,” I called out confidently. “Great to see you!”
Jake turned towards me and gave me a HUGE smile.
“Great to see you, too! It’s been a minute.”
“No kidding,” I replied.
He walked towards me just beaming. Never laid eyes on this guy in my life.
“The drinks are over there,” I said pointing to a table.
“Cool,” he replied, heading off. “Let’s catch up later.”
As he left, my friend turned to me.
“Oh my God,” he said, “what did I just witness?”
“One very, smooth dude,” I laughed. “But wasn’t that fun?”
“Highlight of my night,” he replied. “I’m gonna try that sometime.”
Truth is, I was happy to see Jake because he lifted the mood in the room. He was equally happy to be recognized, so it was a win-win. Besides, I’ve been in his shoes a few times in my life. If we ever do cross paths again, it really will be great to see him.
P. S. Welcome to readers from Bulgaria & Belgium!