Play!…No, seriously

I recently had the great fortune of reading a book called “Play” by Dr. Stuart Brown; a Psychiatrist and founder of the National Institute for Play. I have to admit it was difficult for me, initially, to take the book seriously based on the title. I quickly came to realise however, how mistaken my impression had been.

I cannot recall any book having a more profound effect on me. He wrote extensively on the nature and relevance of play and, more importantly, the implications and consequences of its absence. While it is easy to assume that play is important for toddlers and young children, we tend to fail to realise that it is an essential aspect of a healthy life, regardless of age. The lives of the average human in modern society is driven by many things; survival, turning a profit, turning in that term paper or satisfying your boss.  We seldom get a chance to stop and play. Even childhood, that bastion of recreation, has had to survive a recent onslaught as more and more children all over the world face growing pressure from home and school to put in extraordinary performances at school for a chance to have what ostensibly appears to be a better future. There have been stories in the news of school-aged girls committing suicide or students adopting bizarre sometimes potentially dangerous practices to either help them stay up much later than their peers or retain knowledge better.

It is pertinent to note, however, that the opposite of play is not work. It is a gray and dull blandness bordering on depression. Whether it’s going fishing on a lazy saturday, a quick game of golf at the club or yelling at your tv while your favourite athletes bring the pain on a hated rival team (go Arsenal!) we all need a moment from the near constant barrage of everyday life. And just like the typical heterogeneous approach toddlers have, everyone has their own brand of “play”.

So take a moment to indulge, discover your own type (of play) and let loose. It might be just what the doctor ordered.

Golden Afternoon…

Another bright day in the land of sunshine (and rain, bucket loads of instant torrential showers in this bipolar micro-climate). My eyes actually hurt from the incessant glare of the afternoon sun that persists well into dusk.  As I close them to get some rest, I’m drawn to a couple of thoughts that had been dueling in my noggin’ for the past few days.

I have always considered myself, for the most part, to be a realist but sometimes I think I’m drawn more towards the melancholic aspect of our reality  (in the grand scheme of things), with a tendency to paint a more pessimistic picture of the world we live in. Big corporations, corrupt  repressive governments, resource wars and the many ugly faces of the human condition seem to dominate the narrative everywhere we look.  As a result, the lines between realism and pessimism seem, sometimes, to blur to the point of non-existence.

However,there is also beauty in this world. Perhaps because it seems to be drowned out by much grimmer stories, its presence might go unappreciated; but if we look closely enough, we will always find not just things to be thankful for but actual beauty in the world around us, ranging from the scenic to feats of compassion that might ultimately redeem us as a species if we can find a way to amplify them and make them the prevailing wind in our sails.

From the pristine innocence of the young to defiance in the face of adversity. The smile or warm embrace of a loved one or even in our memories, our little victories. The simple, serene beauty of nature in  places remote and near but equally unexplored or unappreciated or that thrill you get while on your morning run, with the sun in your face and the wind in your hair. Whether in our heads, in the company of others or even actual places we can escape to, these sanctuaries could provide a much-needed buffer effect that keeps us from being overwhelmed by negative events or even the steady monotony life often brings.

It goes without saying, therefore, that, to make for a much more pleasant experience, we need to learn to seek out these oases of beauty in our world. To look at the world through a prism; to count our blessings, such as they are. To selectively hear their sweet melody over the din of the more familiar cacophony of everyday life. The balance this would create could make a world of difference when it comes to our approach to daily living.