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Writer's pictureHannah Marsh

An Invitation to Play

What might it be like to play more often? Where are opportunities to add play to your day?

Image by Annie Spratt

Play can mean inviting a sense of lightness and experimentation. On a walk, you might stray from a clear patch of sidewalk to take crunchy steps through the fall leaves. In the kitchen, you might playfully tinker with an old recipe or invent a new dish, guided by a spirit of curiosity. Play can be delightful to the senses, thrilling, exhilarating, fun - even a little scary. This summer, two friends and I happened upon an empty playground; we did a lot of running around and giggling, but there were also moments of fear as I tried my hand at the monkey bars, uncertain if my grip would hold. On my first attempt, I slipped off - a short drop, no big deal - then tried again. I remembered this had happened as a kid, too. The mix of fear and excitement. The falling. The eagerness to try again.


For kids and grown-ups alike, play is often about exploring boundaries, dipping a toe outside our comfort zone, seeing what happens when we try something new. It doesn't always turn out, but that's okay. Play is all about the process – the unfolding of discovery, moment by moment – without requiring a particular outcome. In other words, play is a wonderful encapsulation of both mindfulness and creativity. It has the non-striving of mindful awareness plus the experimentation and discovery of the creative process.


In our November Mindfulness & Creativity drop-in, we'll explore being a little more playful in our mindfulness practices. We'll consider what happens when we let go of seriousness, and bring play to the creative process. What might we learn from play - about working with fear? About releasing the inner critic? About living more fully?


We look forward to seeing you on Sunday!

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