How do you play?

When do you play?

What does "play" mean to you?

Watch children play. They are quite serious about it. Notice how involved they are.

How much time do you give yourself to play every day?

Sometimes I have to remind myself to play.

Play is living in the NOW without thought of past or future. I think it's a worthy goal. Sometimes it's harder to make than money.

Thoughts are things, whirlygigs of energy. Imagine putting all your thoughts, fleeting or not, in a paper sack. Watch it dance.

Mine bounce onto a yellow legal pad where I can see them. They make wild movies in my dreams.

Sometimes they spread their fingers looking for a dance partner. That's how I know that my deepest desire is for play.

My first thought about that recognition: "Not much to admire about that ambition."

Second thought: "It's admirable. Most admirable." Playing is laughter and love and challenge and immediacy. It's NOW! When you catch the perfect wave and ride squealing into shore like a happy pig, you are totally present. When you catch a trout, run with your dog or cat, play a game of anything, you are happy . . .

unless you are doing those things out of FEAR or LUST.

Fear is constrictioncrushing energy.

Lust has good energy, but implies lack. You want but can't seem to have.

It helps to know this so you can picture your fear as a huge boulder you can just roll down the hill out of your life, and your lust . . . you take it from here.

In the U.S. we think nothing of spending $50,000 on a heart attack but have a hard time spending $1,000 on play, unless it's gambling which is a different story. Is it really play?

Playing with others is love, laughter, challenge and immediacy. It concentrates the mind, integrates the body. It is well documented that laughter heals.

I recommend doubles ping pong. Once you have the table and paddles, it doesn't cost any money. I say doubles because that quadruples the crazy places that the ball goes. I guarantee you will laugh yourself healthy, if not wealthy and wise.

Finally, if a thought comes to your mind containing the word "should", delete it. Write it down and cross it out. Sweep it out of your head, go out and play, and then later, relax. What else really counts?

Food, clothing and shelter? You can spend some time acquiring these, I suppose, but don't make them more important than play!

Copyright 2006 Cole's Poetic License