Play is a word that gets short shrift
in the adult world. We tell our kids to “go outside and play”
with the follow-up statement that they won't have the ability to do
that forever. Once they grow up, “playtime is over”.
Bullshit.
As adults, we have the option of
finding ways of playing that children simply cannot. There is a
level of sophistication, power and organization in the ways that we
can play, alone or with each other, that require that experience of
adulthood.
And we should.
When with another person, with people
you care about, you should play. Whether it be word games (hi,
Dad!), games of ultimate Frisbee in the park, playing boardgames,
card games, or make-believe, play with each other. We should find
each other's company delightful, enjoyable and exciting, not
stressful, painful and boring.
I don't mean that quiet, or even
serious time spent together is not good. We should talk, and care
for each other in all the ways that are good. But to suggest that
adults should not simply play with each other, should not truly enjoy
each others' company, should not be able to throw aside the dull and
practical requirements of the adult world.
If more of us played and kept that
“childlike” mindset, we might find that the world is not so awful
after all.
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