Posts tagged ‘what is play’
5 Ways to Add More Play To Your Day
Dr. Stuart Brown has spent much of his career studying the benefits of play for adults. He says we shouldn’t just set time aside to play, instead we should infuse each moment with it!
I love that. But how do I do that? Really do that? Especially when I have a propensity for the serious side of life? Shocking I know, but true nonetheless.
I have given this a great deal of thought and have started creating my own list of things I can do to infuse more play into my day. Much of this involves stopping what ever else I am doing — working, over thinking something, getting frustrated, you know, being human — and taking a moment to presence myself. And sometimes that’s a big deal all on it’s own.
I thought I would share my list with you. Who knows, perhaps we all may find a little more joy because of it.
1. Hug your child. I mean really stop 
what you’re doing and hug your baby. Take pride in knowing that you made this incredible little being full of wonder and curiosity. They are gifts to be cherished.
2. Go outside, be in nature. Take a break and go outside for a breather at the very least. If possible go play ball, take a walk, smell a flower. You can take 10 minutes for yourself no matter how busy you are!
3. Do a happy dance. 
We all have one inside of us. Get up from your desk and shake your tail feathers. Sure, it may feel silly at first, but that’s the idea. Allow yourself to be silly and get those endorphins flowing.
4. Watch an animal play. Animals have a remarkable ability to make us smile. If you’re a pet owner, you already know what I mean. So take a moment and enjoy the little critters in your life. If you don’t have your own, visit the dog park, pet store, kitten adoption or volunteer at a dog shelter. There are so many animals around us, one is bound to tickle your funny bone if you let it.
5. Smile at your reflection. 
You’ve heard people say, “Smile at a stranger.” Well, I say, “Smile at your reflection.” We see our reflection everywhere, so why not smile at it! It’s in my computer screen right now!!! Hello!!! It’s just makes you laugh. It’s about creating a playful relationship with yourself. So when you pass by the mirror, the framed art work, the store front window and the TV screen and you see yourself, give a little smirk. It’s like saying hello to an old friend on the street.
Shelby’s Secrets – Feed Your Inner Child With Play
George Bernard Shaw once said, “We don’t stop playing because we grow old; we grow old because we stop playing.” For many of us our lives have gotten so serious and over burdened with responsibilities and overcontrolled by other’s needs, that it’s time for some well deserved playtime.
So during your Fourth of July holiday, as you celebrate America and all her glory, practice honoring your inner child. Take time to daydream, fantasize, visualize, wonder and explore. Feed your inner child with play — recreational activities, theater tickets, concerts, making art, getting out in nature, singing a song, dancing with your kids. Listening to your inner child will reconnect you with your inspiration and creativity, and keep you from manifesting a chronic bad mood, nasty depression or childish tantrum.
Enjoy the magic that comes from playing with your inner child and have a safe, happy, and joyous 4th of July!
Celebrate Your Uniqueness
This was sent to me yesterday. Upon reading it, I couldn’t help but well-up with emotion. How about you?
“She can deal with stress and carry heavy burdens. She smiles when she feels like screaming, and she sings when she feels like crying. She cries when she’s happy and laughs when she’s afraid. Her love is unconditional. There’s only one thing wrong with her. She forgets what she’s worth!”
It goes on to request that I pass this to on to every beautiful woman I know and remind her that she’s unique. I think that’s a beautiful and thoughtful exercise for today.
So…What makes you unique? Take a moment to ponder that from the heart and then say it out loud, like a declaration. I’d love to celebrate that with you, so write it in the Comments too and share your uniqueness with me. Here, I’ll start. “What makes me unique is that I live to inspire others to have fun, spend time in heartfelt moments, and to find the happy in all that we do.”
Importance of Play
The National Institute of Play says, “Play refreshes a long-term adult-adult relationship; some of the hallmarks of its refreshing, oxygenating action are: humor, the enjoyment of novelty, the capacity to share a lighthearted sense of the world’s ironies, the enjoyment of mutual storytelling, the capacity to openly divulge imagination and fantasies,… These playful communications and interactions, when nourished, produce a climate for easy connection and deepening, a more rewarding relationship – true intimacy.” I think a successful party or gathering can accomplish the same thing.
Think about it. The chance to laugh, tell stories, enjoy playful banter, feel like you’re not alone in your views, share yourself — this all leads to a wonderful sense of connection and sense of community. Where better then a party or get-together, especially when you and your guests feel comfortable, to provide an opportunity to enjoy all these experiences at once? A chance to play and create intimacy!
I hope each of you had a playful Memorial Day Weekend and may you enjoy its refreshing and oxygenating powers throughout the week.
Shelby’s Secret of the Day
“THERE IS NO JOY EXCEPT IN HUMAN RELATIONSHIPS.”
Antoine de Saint-Exupery – aristocrat French writer, poet and pioneering aviator best remembered for his novella The Little Prince (Le Petit Prince)
The Best and Most Beautiful Things…
“The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched — they must be felt with the heart.” Helen Keller
Happy Mother’s Day!
Finding Connection with Appreciation Texting
Get connected with your partner — with Appreciation Texting. Check it out. Based on Michael Fiore’s eBook, “Text the Romance Back: The 30 Day Digital Relationship Transformer,” appreciation texting has the power to bring you and your partner closer, and it’s so easy.
You can always find out more at YouCanPlanAParty.com
Creating a Celebration Plan for the Year
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gfdsZQNbej0
Continue Reading January 24, 2012 at 1:49 am Leave a comment
queen of connection | Shelby L. Phillips 