A sacred healing/writing adventure of a lifetime in Peru

Shaping Up for Play

After days, weeks, months, and four grueling years staring face-to- face with my computer screen while  building my new business, a stark realization blew in with the fall chill; the only muscles getting a real workout were my fingers.  Sure I would take the occasional hike, but rarely did I challenge myself to go any further than my usual 2 mile route.  After subtle hints by a good friend(who at one time lagged behind me on the trail), and her generous gift of a month of training, I found myself yesterday unpolished and raw at a local playground, dressed for boot camp.

Step one. Get in shape. One needs endless, boundless energy to play. As a child I could run, jump rope, and hula hoop, from sun up till sundown.  So now is time to get in shape for play. It was a beautiful morning, and there I was without my blackberry, or friends watching on FB, trying to jump robe. As I tripped over the chord I complained to myself that the rope was too long.  As a child, any scrap of rope would do. Next, the 50 yard dash. By round three, I was slowly inching my way back towards the orange cone, watching as the more seasoned players bent down and touched the earth at each post. Yikes.

I am using my adult determination to overcome my clumsiness in the park.  I am exercising unused muscles used for frolicking, despite inept promptings of my adult voice clamoring that this is child's play.  This morning, I am once again confronted with sore muscles as I  pry myself up from the toilet seat.  The cat had to eat her breakfast on the bathroom counter, I could not bend down to place her bowl on the floor.  I do not remember ever being sore after a boundless day of play. This is an awkward experience.  However I still convinced it is time to remember how to play.

Fit over Fifty

My life became increasing out of balance. As a Shamanic Coach, I would assign my clients the task of learning to play with their inner child, even advise them to take an afternoon for an "artist date". From the outside it looked like I even knew how to do this for myself. After all I would take trips to see the fall foliage, visit the museums, grow a vegetable garden, write, cook, and paint. At the end of the day, my efforts felt like more work and less like fun.

My sand box sat empty in the yard, and my toys faded in the hot summer sun. So in the spirit of playfulness, I am embarking on remembering the spirit of play. I am inviting you to meet me in my sandbox for a play date. Let's unschool our tasking tendencies and clumsily revisit our inner playfulness. Let the fun begin.