Play!

My family was driving back from one of our holiday gatherings when Jim commented on a calf running through a field, kicking up its heels. I didn't see it that time, but as I was driving to work today, I saw two calves running and playing with one another. that made me realize that many animals play. But have you ever seen an adult cow play? Even dogs and cats quit playing as they age.

Remember how it was to use your imagination? Pretend you were a pirate and the coffee table was your ship? Or that the garden hose was your microphone? Remember playing jacks and coloring? Pine cones were grenades and blocks of wood were guns for your war games?

When do we stop playing? When do we decide that we have to get serious in order to deal with the trials of the world? I wonder if the trials would be a little more bearable if we played in between being a serious grown up. I have often theorized that the world would be a better place if everyone exercised, got plenty of sleep and ate right. I may amend that now to include a few minutes of play each day.

Let's all experiment together with this. Let me know how you do.