The true object of all human life is play. – G. K. Chesterton

Over the last handful of years I have learned how to play. Play is doing something that brings you joy without merit or achievement. There is no ulterior motive for play – only the pleasure and delight in playing.

Play brings us joy, makes us smile, reduces stress, lowers blood pressure, opens our minds, makes us present, brings us together, and keeps us young. There is no time when we are more full of life as when we play. Play is an antidote to anxiety, fear, and the burnout that many of us have experienced.

But many of us have a complicated relationship with play. Yes, we were all consumed with play as children. Yet life and its complications over the years changes our priorities and our habits. And we either forget how to play or simply don’t make time for it in our lives.

I am no different. My dad was a workaholic and I have had my own issues here. In the past I routinely put my work ahead of play and the relationships and priorities that I held most dear. I am a recovering performer and often identify myself by my achievements, accomplishments, and productivity.

In our culture play is considered frivolous, sometimes inappropriate, and often seen as secondary in value to work and service.

Many of us have to be intentional about play or it simply doesn’t happen. This was me even a couple of week ago when I became all consumed with a few other priorities.

Today play for Muffin and me looks like riding bikes, traveling, dancing around the house, singing in the car, visiting with friends, playing games, camping, talking in funny accents, floating in the pool or river, taking walks, playing pickleball, and finding things that make us smile and laugh.

Turning play into work is easy for me and all it takes is a goal. Riding bikes turns into trying to keep an average speed, hitting a weekly mileage target, measuring myself on a Strava segment, or just trying to keep up with some of my fast friends. Health and fitness is valuable too, but it’s not to be confused with play. We need both.

It has been said that prayer is a form of play. In prayer we have the freedom, the lack of obligation, the dynamic interaction, and joy and pleasure of play. In this world there is always an end to a game, but prayer is a preparation for the eternal game that has no end.

We can learn a lot from children. Their life is consumed with play. They live and experience life fully in the present with out reserve. But play is too good to be left to children!

Life is challenging and hard and we need lots of smiling, joy, and laughter to cope with life’s difficulties. We all need a certain level of playfulness. Play is good for the soul.

Do you play? How do you like to play? What would it look like for you to pursue a playful attitude this week?

All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy – Jack Torrance (Nicholson) from the Shining

Because you’ve always stood up for me, I’m free to run and play. I hold on to you for dear life, and you hold me steady as a post. – David in Psalm 63 from The Message (via Eugene)

Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. Truly I tell you, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it. – Jesus in Mark 10:14

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