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One quality essential to a life lived with fullness and passion is playfulness. The willingness to play opens all kinds of possibilities in our lives. Young children are masters of play and the possibilities it brings. Play is how they learn and create whole incredible worlds. Because of societal conditioning, however, it seems difficult for most adults to remain open to the spirit of play. We learn we must be practical and avoid the embarrassment of mistakes at all cost. A university study found that at the age of five we engage in creative tasks 98 times a day, laugh 113 times a day, and ask questions 65 times. By the age of 44, the numbers shrink to two creative tasks a day, 11 laughs, and six questions. The study also found a 91% negative response rate among adults exposed to new ideas. We don't have to be bound by limiting conditions. In the journey of the authentic Self, play is a natural occurrence. When we allow our selves to express from our most honest and joyous place, we automatically open to the thrill of experimentation and the possibility of the unknown.
Play is an intrinsic tool for the creator of life. It is what enables the creator to leap into the unknown. The spirit of play contains no judgement, no verdict of right or wrong. Play is not afraid of making a mistake. It takes its curious nose and snoops into every nook and cranny, even the forbidden. Play grabs the familiar and rearranges it until it sparkles with surprise. It weaves together the threads of seemingly diverse worlds to create startling new textures. The spirit of play does not know the meaning of failure. When things don't work, play tries something else. It is simply a challenge to spark curiosity. It is the unfolding of the enticing trail you place your inquisitive feet upon and follow with wonder and amazement.
Can you envision what life would be like in a corporation, school or family that has no punishment or judgement for honest mistakes? To what magnitude could we blossom in an environment where everything is considered learning and evolution, where every experiment and piece of information is simply the next foot stone on a wonderful trail that leads to more than we can imagine? Such a world would embrace curiosity. Curiosity is an elevated state in which to live. The ramifications are limitless. Curiosity keeps us alive to possibilities. We avoid fixed answers and assumptions. We defer labels and definitions and stay open to what we can create and become instead. Our interpretation of our selves, situations and other people is fluid and adaptive. We open the door that allows movement and growth. As long as we are moving, we know we are okay. It is when we are fixed in the density of judgement and fear that we decay. When we keep focusing on what we don't want, we can't move forward because there is no place to go. If we suspend our judgement of seemingly negative circumstances, then we can create a different interpretation of them that allows us to move forward. Focusing with curiosity on what we want instead of what we don't want lets us play with the possibilities of how we can get there without the hammer of judgement flattening our creative inspiration.
My Fire Seed work gave me permission to express without the intervention of my own judgement. I can recall a distinct moment when reeling around the class in wildly spontaneous movements that I said to myself, "I really don't care what anyone thinks about what I am doing at this moment." All that mattered was the honesty, fullness and joy of my expression. This was a significant turning point. Some long historical chain that tied the value of my expression to outer approval was cut. I gave myself permission to be one hundred percent in my action. I cut the links tying me to past experiences of shame or criticism that fed the belief I was not enough. When we free up energy stuck in the past we are able to embrace the thrill of the now with all our resources. We receive the dignity of giving all of ourselves without losing any of ourselves.
If we look to the realm of archetypes, it is the Fool who embodies the gift of play. In the days of the King, it was the fool who could speak the truth without getting his head chopped off. The fool brings balance to the order and logic of the King by providing a break from convention. His light-heartedness pokes fun at the absurdity of life and enlivens us with a zest for adventure. The Fool gives us the resilience of being able to fall flat on our face and get up and try again. He lets us leap into the unknown and trust we will land on our feet. We can't be truly creative if we are not willing to live at risk. A life dedicated to the safe and predictable is a death sentence. It is when we leap into the unknown with trust that we access divine guidance. The leap of faith grants us information beyond our rational mind. It opens the door to the holy world of miracles and synchronicity, a world beyond logic and the ordinary.
It is worth examining how we may be shutting down authenticity and playfulness in our lives. When we gain awareness of these behaviors, we can make another choice. Filling our lives with opportunities to deviate from our normal patterns, explore new possibilities, and truly play takes us to expanded levels of creativity and growth. Embracing our inner fool opens the next door of opportunity, whatever that me be. Without the fool we cannot fly at full wing span. We need his curiosity and permission to soar above mediocrity, our heads lifted, our eyes open and our spirit unfurled in a glorious declaration of 'Yes'!
Ann Holdreith offers an ongoing Tuesday evening Spiritual Emergency class. She has taught her Fire Seed workshop to ignite the creative power of the Authentic Self since 1987. She offers private healing and coaching sessions, and is a certified Theta healer, professional artist, performer and published poet. Her new book, Fire Seed, Igniting the Passion and Power of Your Authentic Self is available at: www.annholdreith.com. You can reach her at (248) 583-7765 or aholdreith@sbcglobal.net.
Ann Holdreith offers an ongoing Tuesday evening Spiritual Emergency class. She has taught her Fire Seed workshop to ignite the creative power of the Authentic Self since 1987. She offers private healing and coaching sessions, and is a certified Theta healer, professional artist, performer and published poet. Her new book, Fire Seed, 