Finding Play

I'm so grateful to put a smile on my face as I meditated this morning. I'm grateful to wake slowly and happily. I'm grateful for the fun day ahead. I'm grateful to add play into my workday and into my interactions. I'm grateful for co-workers that love to laugh. I'm grateful to have a fun night planned with friends, for us to come together to share, laugh, and support each other. Finding time to play is vital in maintaining happiness. Laughter and smiles are great medicine, especially when shared with the ones I love. Often when people comment on how young I look I respond that it is because I have not forgotten how to play. Over the last few months I have noticed an imbalance in my play. After not enough play, the pendulum swung and I began taking a bit too much time for play, putting it before work in a few cases. Now I am back finding balance. Yes, we all have obligations to meet and work is important in paying the bills and stepping up to our responsibilities. But play is an important way to unwind and renew the spirit. And play can even be added into work, in some cases. It doesn't have to be cartwheels and vacations to incorporate play. Play can be as simple as laughter shared with a coworker on break over a silly video or a funny story. Play can be leaving notes around the house for your loved ones to find. Play can be taking a moment to walk the dog or play fetch. There are millions of ways to play! I'm grateful for all the ways I enjoy playing with the people around me. I'm grateful for the more extreme forms of play like cartwheels and vacations too. I'm grateful to have a job that is flexible and coworkers that are fun. And I'm grateful for this picture of my dog, Pippin, who is a great reminder for me to play. I'm so grateful for all the lessons that my dogs and the children in my life teach me about what's important. What forms of play can you incorporate in your day? What balance can you find in youthful laughter? May your day be blessed with laughter and fun and may you have a safe, beautiful holiday weekend!