Children are people who can cause much pain, but also give much joy! They are eager to learn and ready for new experiences. Almost never bored, they find an interest in common things like sand and ocean waves. Their laughter brings contagious glee, and their tears--near heartbreak. They are free, with open hearts and minds, quick to love and forgive, trusting with unquestioning certainty.
They have so much to learn, so many trials ahead. Yet they don't worry about it. When they venture from their world, the trip is sometimes painful because they come from a magical world where a box can be a house, a rocking chair-a car, and a plastic cup--an afternoon tea. Soon, they will leave their secret land of little people, only to return when they, themselves, have children. ⛹
When we were children, play was our work. Young minds gained much from experience, experimentation and manipulation. Once we became adults, play was often frowned upon. "Be serious! Don't waste time!" How sad??
Psychologists speak of having a healthy inner child. Jesus said, "Unless we become as children, we shall not enter the Kingdom of God?" It seems our business lives are in direct opposition to our leisure lives. Is that true? Statistically, Americans are more reluctant to use their vacation time than their European peers. 😎⛱ It is not uncommon for vacationing Americans, to take work along. How many relationships have been harmed by workaholics? 📱💼 I worked to earn money to improve myself and my family. I know some people who are dedicated and love their jobs, but the jobs don't own them! But for some, work can be an end in itself, and their loved ones may get hurt by the very one who's goal was to make life better.
Why is it so hard to step back and let go of the reigns for a while?? No wonder so many of us are stressed out!
I don't really like to play games. I don't like competition. However, some types of play I enjoy, immensely My grandmother allowed me to do things my mother rarely permitted. So, when I was at Grandma's, I played in the dirt whenever I could, mixing wonderous concoctions from the wet mud. Today, I would look at it and say, "Yuck." What happened over the years to change my viewpoint so drastically?
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Adult coloring books have become popular. A lot of people enjoy them and find not only relaxation, but rediscover their creativity indulging in them. I did not like to color as a child. I had a very artistic cousin who would color one page while I did the other. Hers looked like a masterpiece, while mine barely held the colors within their outlines. She went on to become an art teacher, and I, a probation officer--still having trouble helping others to stay "within the lines."
THEN, I developed an interest in photography and photo editing. WOW!! The things one can do with Photo Shop and some of the other photo editing programs available. Most of the time, I edit to make a good picture better, remove flaws or make corrections to an average photo in order to salvage it from the recycling bin.
I discovered that I could play!! I could create crazy art. Turn the world upside down. Have purple snow, and red grass, peculiar shapes, twisted frames and convoluted perspectives. Artistic?? Exciting? Weird? 
Here is an example of a picture I "recreated." How could I change the mood? The original is identical in each of the 3 variations I produced.
Here is another:
Sometimes, I think about how much fun God must have had creating the universe and all that's in it. How He flung the galaxies as far as He could! Did He somersault to create the Pyrenees and Himalayas? 🌄Did He go for a dive after filling the oceans, so that the splashes would make the lakes and rivers? 💦 Did He use his thumbprints to form the vegetation? 🌻 Scripture says, it was work. But as I noted, for some, our work is play. And then He rested.
When we do manage to get away from our projects, don't we come back refreshed? maybe with a new outlook or new ideas ? 💡 🔌 What kind of play do you like? Do you understand it's value? Maybe it's time to get out the jump rope and roller skates. See how you might recreate some of your photos. 📷
You never know what might develop.
