The thread concerning children at work posted by Twila and reading the responses have made me think a lot about the importance of 'play' in our adult lives and the lessons on 'play' that we can learn from our kids, grandkids, neices, nephews, neighbors, and the like.
I have noticed that we as adults lose sight of the ability to 'play' as we get older. The pressures of life, running our business, making sure our needs are met, bills are paid, and the like overtake our lives and we forget how to play.
One particular time, I was on the way home from the shop early because of snow. I was tired......being in the southern United States, snow is RARE. Driving is cautious........normally the trip took 20 minutes, I had already been on the road for two hours. I had also been scrambling like mad at the shop trying to finish up the work before I left.
By the time I pulled into my driveway, I was not in a right frame of mind. However, as soon as I got out of the car, ...... bounding down the steps was my then 10 year old nephew who said "C'mon Uncle Ricky, Let's play in the snow" while enveloping me in the biggest bear hug a ten year old can give.
I really did not feel like it, but something in that kid's voice made me say yes. I went insude, grabbed a cup of coffee, changed into more suitable clothes....and went back outside. For the next two hours, we built snowpeople, threw snowballs, ran around, and laughed.
Oddly enough, when I got back in the house, I felt FANTASTIC. All my tiredness had gone, my mood had lifted, and I proceeded to undertake some projects I had been putting off and lo and behold, got them done in half the time I normally would have them done !
What we as adults forget is that 'play' jumpstarts internal batteries of energy, happiness, smiles, giggles, and most of all, charges us with love for those little ones all the more.
At the shop, working late into the evenings, I can't begin to tell you how many times I would start water-fights with the spray bottles after that day in the snow.
SO, take the time to play, whether with a child, or with your employees/co-workers, friends.......You'll be surprised how much your body, your mind, and your spirit will appreciate it.
To keep this thread going, tell us about your playtimes.
I have noticed that we as adults lose sight of the ability to 'play' as we get older. The pressures of life, running our business, making sure our needs are met, bills are paid, and the like overtake our lives and we forget how to play.
One particular time, I was on the way home from the shop early because of snow. I was tired......being in the southern United States, snow is RARE. Driving is cautious........normally the trip took 20 minutes, I had already been on the road for two hours. I had also been scrambling like mad at the shop trying to finish up the work before I left.
By the time I pulled into my driveway, I was not in a right frame of mind. However, as soon as I got out of the car, ...... bounding down the steps was my then 10 year old nephew who said "C'mon Uncle Ricky, Let's play in the snow" while enveloping me in the biggest bear hug a ten year old can give.
I really did not feel like it, but something in that kid's voice made me say yes. I went insude, grabbed a cup of coffee, changed into more suitable clothes....and went back outside. For the next two hours, we built snowpeople, threw snowballs, ran around, and laughed.
Oddly enough, when I got back in the house, I felt FANTASTIC. All my tiredness had gone, my mood had lifted, and I proceeded to undertake some projects I had been putting off and lo and behold, got them done in half the time I normally would have them done !
What we as adults forget is that 'play' jumpstarts internal batteries of energy, happiness, smiles, giggles, and most of all, charges us with love for those little ones all the more.
At the shop, working late into the evenings, I can't begin to tell you how many times I would start water-fights with the spray bottles after that day in the snow.
SO, take the time to play, whether with a child, or with your employees/co-workers, friends.......You'll be surprised how much your body, your mind, and your spirit will appreciate it.
To keep this thread going, tell us about your playtimes.
