My son has 2 dogs and it is fun to play with them. Stanley the older one is hysterical. He loves to open presents and he did his very first X-mas. He also bounces a balloon on his nose to play “keep the balloon up in the air”.
When I am on the sailboat we play rummy 500 a lot.
Playing to me is going to a free outdoor music concert in the summer time. Going on a new excursion of hiking, biking, cross country skiing .
Just finding something “Fun” to do!
My first reaction to this question was sadness. Like almost all Adult Children of Alcoholics (ACOAs) I never learned to play in the traditional sense, and I’m not very good at it. But reading the other comments opened up my thinking. Whatever gives us joy is “play.” That might be a funny movie or TV show, a fine meal, making music, laughing with friends., walking in the sunshine My most frequent “laugh out loud moments” are when we take the dog out for a walk and he goes on his back, rolling in the grass, waving his paws, saying in dog-talk “yeah, life.” He does this without fail each walk time, no matter the weather or even if he’s feeling under the weather, which he has been this past week.
I love your comment! We need to redefine play as we want to. I am too a ACOA. I will be 66 next week, it is an ongoing discovery. I love to “play” in my walks in nature. Just taking in all the sounds makes me happy. I am a tree hugger too! I love the majestics Douglas Firs I encounter on my walk. Keep having fun!
Many years ago, I attended a Day of Reflection and one of the speakers said, “God wants to play!” I found that so helpful. This question is a good one for me. I needed the reminder. Plan to go to a program at the library tomorrow. It’s an adult event held once a month and involves coloring and visiting with others with tranquil music playing in the background. This appeals to me. Never heard of such a gathering before.
I love to play and I’m fortunate to
have the opportunity fairly often.
I had a wicked cold last week, so
I wasn’t really in the mood for anything
except suffering, but the week before
that, I had the opportunity to work on
a video for a friend. He’s a musician/
artist and needed a short video showing
him playing percussion. The thing that
I noticed, was how easy it was to spend
time working on it. Experimenting with
this, trying that. I was a bit consumed for
a few days and because there was no
financial pressure, I was free to play and
collaborate with an old friend. Getting
lost in the creative process. I’m not sure
what it awakens in me, other than a
very primal human experience.
Depends on how play is defined. Musicians “play” instruments. People who go to the Indian Casinos in New Mexico “play” the slots. Folks who go the Knights of Columbus “play” bingo. When my grandson is here we “play” dinosaurs. When I work livestock I ” play” cowboy. When I irrigate and put up hay I “play” farmer. When I go to the mountain to hike or fish I “play”. When I vegetable garden I ‘play” Mr. Green Jeans. When my mother in-law askes my wife if she wants to “play” that means to go shop at second hand stores. I read once happy people do not need to seek fun. Glass half full instead of half empty. After all is there not a board game “The Game of Life”?
That is a wonderful idea. It seems as if there is not as much “laugh out loud” humor around as there used to be. Do you have any favorites? Among writers, Dave Barry is always good for laughs. On TV, Big Bang Theory, The Neighborhood, and used-to-be Trevor Noah. Can’t think of a movie offhand, sadly, but will be back if I do.
The closest I come to play, I think, is when I turn up the music and bust out singing – usually Broadway or favorite singers, usually from the past. I live by myself, so I don’t generally have an audience – which is fine with me! Music has been a part of our family for a long time, so many memories come along with the music. Music = joy.
About a month ago I had a few ladies over and we had some good belly laughs. It awaken in me playfulness and an aliveness I haven’t had in a long time.
I am a bit “recreationally challenged” as my husband and I say. We both know how to work but we do not know how to really play. We did go to karaoke the other night here in our Texas community (but we leave tomorrow!)…and my husband got up and sang three songs…that was fun! I also enjoy playing with my dog and cats. Belly laughs are great too…but haven’t had one of those in awhile! Now…I think I will see what fun I can have today!
I had joint replacement surgery last week and my oldest was here to help start the convalescence. She knows the idiosyncrasies of her mother well and had some fun with that while I had a chance to have a laugh (several) at myself. It felt good to set aside the pain and discomfort, even for just a few moments. As they say, laughter is the best medicine.
Great idea. I love White Mountain puzzles. Have you done them? My husband is doing a 1000 piece not White Mountain that is so hard. I just walk off but he persists. And he calls me a terrier. Ha ha. I always tell him we are the same about different things.
Last week, River, our four-year-old granddaughter, stopped by with her mom for a visit. I have a collection of wind-up toys that I used for years with my youngest clients while working, and now keep at our home for the grandkids. During River’s visit, we were in a lengthily “pretend zone,” assigning characters, actions, and sound effects to the tiny windups in our living room. Once River was convinced that Grampy was fully engaged in play mode, and not acting like an adult, she seemed ecstatic.
When our playtime and the visit was over and River and her mom headed for home, I turned to my wife and said, “That was a great visit, and I am exhausted!” At 72, crawling around on my knees and sitting in crazy positions, while trying to keep pace with the tempo of a four-year-old’s serious play, while keeping my adult mind in total “play mode,” is darn hard wonderful work.
Thanks Pilgrim. BTW: Your reflection yesterday reminded me to download “Broadway Show Tunes” on my iPhone. I love listening to music like this when I’m on a long car ride alone….though I seldom breakout singing for fear of driving other cars off the road! Be well my friend.
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My son has 2 dogs and it is fun to play with them. Stanley the older one is hysterical. He loves to open presents and he did his very first X-mas. He also bounces a balloon on his nose to play “keep the balloon up in the air”.
When I am on the sailboat we play rummy 500 a lot.
Playing to me is going to a free outdoor music concert in the summer time. Going on a new excursion of hiking, biking, cross country skiing .
Just finding something “Fun” to do!
Every day. It is the play of Grace. Always there. An eternal dance. The only thing though, “I” just needs to be open to it.
My first reaction to this question was sadness. Like almost all Adult Children of Alcoholics (ACOAs) I never learned to play in the traditional sense, and I’m not very good at it. But reading the other comments opened up my thinking. Whatever gives us joy is “play.” That might be a funny movie or TV show, a fine meal, making music, laughing with friends., walking in the sunshine My most frequent “laugh out loud moments” are when we take the dog out for a walk and he goes on his back, rolling in the grass, waving his paws, saying in dog-talk “yeah, life.” He does this without fail each walk time, no matter the weather or even if he’s feeling under the weather, which he has been this past week.
I love your comment! We need to redefine play as we want to. I am too a ACOA. I will be 66 next week, it is an ongoing discovery. I love to “play” in my walks in nature. Just taking in all the sounds makes me happy. I am a tree hugger too! I love the majestics Douglas Firs I encounter on my walk. Keep having fun!
Many years ago, I attended a Day of Reflection and one of the speakers said, “God wants to play!” I found that so helpful. This question is a good one for me. I needed the reminder. Plan to go to a program at the library tomorrow. It’s an adult event held once a month and involves coloring and visiting with others with tranquil music playing in the background. This appeals to me. Never heard of such a gathering before.
I love to play and I’m fortunate to
have the opportunity fairly often.
I had a wicked cold last week, so
I wasn’t really in the mood for anything
except suffering, but the week before
that, I had the opportunity to work on
a video for a friend. He’s a musician/
artist and needed a short video showing
him playing percussion. The thing that
I noticed, was how easy it was to spend
time working on it. Experimenting with
this, trying that. I was a bit consumed for
a few days and because there was no
financial pressure, I was free to play and
collaborate with an old friend. Getting
lost in the creative process. I’m not sure
what it awakens in me, other than a
very primal human experience.
I try to play at everything. After all was there not a board game called “The Game of Life”?
Depends on how play is defined. Musicians “play” instruments. People who go to the Indian Casinos in New Mexico “play” the slots. Folks who go the Knights of Columbus “play” bingo. When my grandson is here we “play” dinosaurs. When I work livestock I ” play” cowboy. When I irrigate and put up hay I “play” farmer. When I go to the mountain to hike or fish I “play”. When I vegetable garden I ‘play” Mr. Green Jeans. When my mother in-law askes my wife if she wants to “play” that means to go shop at second hand stores. I read once happy people do not need to seek fun. Glass half full instead of half empty. After all is there not a board game “The Game of Life”?
Love, love your comment!! Yes, it is all play if we let it!
Thanks, Joseph
We just rewatched the movie What About Bob and laughed and laughed. I am sure it helped in the heart surgery recovery. I rate it. ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
A couple years ago we rewatched Sibling Rivalry and had a similar reaction.
Here is a thought, maybe we could share our favorite funniest books or movies. Perhaps in the Gratitude Lounge.
That is a wonderful idea. It seems as if there is not as much “laugh out loud” humor around as there used to be. Do you have any favorites? Among writers, Dave Barry is always good for laughs. On TV, Big Bang Theory, The Neighborhood, and used-to-be Trevor Noah. Can’t think of a movie offhand, sadly, but will be back if I do.
We like those same shows, also the new show So Help Me Todd.
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/39855034-the-unteachables This is a book that made my husband and I laugh out loud. It may have helped that was a teacher.
Did you see my reference to Sibling Rivalry and What About Bob. They are old movies but we rewatched them recently and couldn’t stop laughing.
The closest I come to play, I think, is when I turn up the music and bust out singing – usually Broadway or favorite singers, usually from the past. I live by myself, so I don’t generally have an audience – which is fine with me! Music has been a part of our family for a long time, so many memories come along with the music. Music = joy.
Music is the universal language…I totally identify with your post!
The soundtrack to South Pacific always awakes my bust out singing.
About a month ago I had a few ladies over and we had some good belly laughs. It awaken in me playfulness and an aliveness I haven’t had in a long time.
I am a bit “recreationally challenged” as my husband and I say. We both know how to work but we do not know how to really play. We did go to karaoke the other night here in our Texas community (but we leave tomorrow!)…and my husband got up and sang three songs…that was fun! I also enjoy playing with my dog and cats. Belly laughs are great too…but haven’t had one of those in awhile! Now…I think I will see what fun I can have today!
I had joint replacement surgery last week and my oldest was here to help start the convalescence. She knows the idiosyncrasies of her mother well and had some fun with that while I had a chance to have a laugh (several) at myself. It felt good to set aside the pain and discomfort, even for just a few moments. As they say, laughter is the best medicine.
Wishing you a speedy recovery Laura:)
Sending healing energies your way.
Thank you, Carol.
Each evening, two friends & I gather to do puzzles & chat. Last night, we laughed til our sides hurt. Times like this are pure joy.🙂
Great idea. I love White Mountain puzzles. Have you done them? My husband is doing a 1000 piece not White Mountain that is so hard. I just walk off but he persists. And he calls me a terrier. Ha ha. I always tell him we are the same about different things.
Each evening??!! How lovely to look forward to. Keep it up!
That sounds lovely, Peg Ora. What a treat!
Just yesterday with my grandchildren….awakening love and laughter, simplicity and joy in every moment.
Last week, River, our four-year-old granddaughter, stopped by with her mom for a visit. I have a collection of wind-up toys that I used for years with my youngest clients while working, and now keep at our home for the grandkids. During River’s visit, we were in a lengthily “pretend zone,” assigning characters, actions, and sound effects to the tiny windups in our living room. Once River was convinced that Grampy was fully engaged in play mode, and not acting like an adult, she seemed ecstatic.
When our playtime and the visit was over and River and her mom headed for home, I turned to my wife and said, “That was a great visit, and I am exhausted!” At 72, crawling around on my knees and sitting in crazy positions, while trying to keep pace with the tempo of a four-year-old’s serious play, while keeping my adult mind in total “play mode,” is darn hard wonderful work.
Bless you!
A day you will both remember always, my friend. What a delight!
Thanks Pilgrim. BTW: Your reflection yesterday reminded me to download “Broadway Show Tunes” on my iPhone. I love listening to music like this when I’m on a long car ride alone….though I seldom breakout singing for fear of driving other cars off the road! Be well my friend.