playful – Appreciation Magic

Do you play in your daily life? What says “playtime” to you?

The importance of play cannot be overstated. So many of us adults forget how to play or be playful. Just think about how many times you’ve heard the expression, “Act your age!” It’s as if society expects us to always act serious as we grow older.

I personally love to act playful. I love to act silly in certain situations. (I can embarrass my daughters when I do it around them.) I love to laugh and I know that children laugh about 300 times in a day! That’s a whole lot more than adults. In fact, I read an article saying a 4 year old laughs about 300 times in a day, whereas a 40 year old only 4!

I’ve been doing substitute teaching since last year in the elementary schools here and I’m very happy that I get more opportunities to be playful and laugh because of it. Little kids have less of a filter than adults and I find that they do say the darnest things! While I don’t have grandchildren, people who have young grandchildren probably know this first hand, too.

Being playful makes me feel young. It lifts my vibe. Being playful always results in more laughter for me, too. As a Certified Laughter Yoga Leader, so I can laugh for no reason at all. Doing so with others really results in genuine laughter, as it truly is contagious. It fills my heart with joy!

Today’s daily prompt has pushed me to finally read the Harry Potter series. I have all the books, my daughters loved it and so many children at school talk about it. While they’re sitting on my bookshelf, I’ve yet to read them. I think I’d like to engage with the students at school by reading the books next. It will certainly help me to relate to what they’re saying.

Meanwhile, I’ll continue to go through life never losing my sense of playfulness. Instead of New Year’s Resolutions, I do intentions and this year I chose one word to describe what I’ll intend more of this year. That word is laughter. For sure, it’ll be fun and playful!

Well happy 2011 everyone! Now that February is almost over, here I am finally getting back to this blog. And it’s Tuesday and I’m tickled! Why, you ask? Honestly, I have no particular reason, other than it makes me smile and laugh out loud to say it! 🙂

Since today I was tickled it was Tuesday, that means that tomorrow is “Woo Hoo Wednesday!” What I’m really doing is telling a “new story” about the days of the week by the silly choices of words that make me feel good. It’s so much better than thinking of Tuesday as the day after Monday (or) Wednesday as “hump” day. It really makes the week go by much smoother with a lot more joy!

So I appreciate those mid-week days where I can come up with fun, silly names that make me laugh, while being reminded that I’m grateful to be here for another “Tickled Tuesday!”

So I challenge you to find new words and ways of thinking about “routine” days, and especially if you’re not smiling or laughing a lot these days. Go ahead–be silly! Have fun! Embrace the playfulness of it all. You’ll notice a difference in how you feel, I guarantee it. And don’t be surprised when you attract more things, events and people to tickle your Tuesdays, too!