As every child who has sat in school counting the minutes until recess knows, the playground is a sacred space. The bell rings, signaling release from the structure and goal-directed environment of the classroom, and they can’t wait to get outside where they can engage in self-directed activity and fun. Aaaaah…
Although for most of us “grown-ups”, time spent on an actual playground is a thing of the past, we each still require someplace to fill this need. The Playground is a place where your spirit experiences a deep sense of freedom. The place where you are welcomed and encouraged to do what you enjoy, for no purpose other than enjoyment’s sake. Organic activity feeding body, mind, and soul. The place where you have fun.
For some of us this is the ball field or the golf course, but it could just as easily be the garden, the studio, the workshop, the jogging trail, the kitchen, the stage… (And how glorious for those whose workplace is also their Playground!)
Whether in solitude or among friends, you know you’ve found your Playground when your spirit is singing and your soul is laughing with delight. Whether physically strenuous or quietly relaxing, you know you’re there when you can smile with an inner sense of serenity and joy. When your playful spirit is fully engaged, that’s the place.
When your soul is calling you to “come and play”, where are you headed? Where is your Playground?
~ Christiana
I realize at this moment that I don’t exactly know what or where my playground is. The closest thing to it I have found is blowing bubbles, especially outside. I think that I have lost touch with play because I am trying so hard to make a better future for myself with college. I do take time to go to the labyrinth at school, that no one else seems to use. But that doesn’t feel like play to me. It is a place for me to relax from the stressors of the day.
I do find joy and laughter from “The List” show among others on YouTube. Perhaps I do have a playground, it just doesn’t feel that way most of the time. I need to make sure I go to the playground every day, no matter what it contains. It’s a good thing to shake things up and change the shape of my playground as needed. Just as long as I have one to go to.