A Balanced Life Magazine...

Ordinary people; Extraordinary lives

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You can discover more about a person in an hour of play than in a year of conversation.
                                                               --Plato

On one level, you might say that everything we do is an expression of who we are.  Whether taking a nap or giving a speech, we can't not be our creative expression made manifest in each moment.  But, how often (if at all) do we notice the magic of this?

Though there may be many opportunities throughout the day to celebrate and share who we are, it seems to me that our recreation and play moments provide an easy invitation to express and remember who we are.

Let's take the game of basketball, for instance.  From the minute you step out on the court, your body expresses its unique step, movement and force.  Like a deer, your run is yours.  Or, how about knitting?  Your hands, in rhythmic motion, join the vision of line and pattern coming to life at your fingertips.  You are an expression expressing.  This might also apply to singing in the shower, taking a run, writing a poem, swimming in a river, playing catch with your child or planting flowers in your yard.  The list is endless.

What I find particularly fun about this perspective is that it can be applied to simple activities.  Even walking your dog becomes an expression of who you are-- perhaps love and care for another, commitment to health, the unique movement of your body in motion, you choosing to unwind after a busy day, your love of (or frustration with) your dog, connection to the outside world, or your smile (and/or frown) as you pass others on your path.

How would our lives change if we were to remember this more often?  How would our recreation and play moments become more alive and meaningful?  From this view, recreation and play become a gateway to self-expression and the sharing of our gifts.  And doesn't that have you wanting more of them?  This is an invitation to a balanced life— a life where you enjoy and own your unique expression in this world.

For this month’s invitation to play, I invite you to choose one recreation and/or play activity to view from the perspective "This is a celebration and expression of who I am."  Commit to practicing this perspective and activity once or twice a week. (For those who read last month’s column, if you're not sure what activity to pick, you might see what the 4-year-old in you has to say about it).  If you're having a tough time coming up with an activity, create a new one.  It can be something that takes an hour or just a few minutes.  It might be scheduled or spontaneous.  Whichever recreation and play activity you choose, make it your own.  Have fun with it!  You may wish to keep a weekly journal or scratch paper notes of your findings.  At the end of the month, you might ask yourself, What am I learning about myself?  What do I love about expressing who I am?  How do I get in my own way of me enjoying and owning my unique expression?  What shifts when I enjoy and own my gifts?  Enjoy your insights and all you are creating for yourself!