Play

*** Note: This is the July 2020 blog on the topic of play. If you are looking for the blog post titled Recalibration, please go here.***

“Amen, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, 
you will not enter the kingdom of God.”
Matthew 18:3

Recipe for Outside Play

Ingredients:

• Dirt

• Water

• Rocks

• Sand

• Sticks

• Seeds

• Plants, dead or alive

• Bugs and worms

You will also need:

Time

• Something to dig with

• A cutting tool (age-appropriate)

• Play clothes

Instructions:

Have fun and get dirty while you explore, dig, plan, create, and make a mess!

My brothers and I followed this recipe perfectly. We grew up in Portland, Oregon and had plenty of space and time for free play. As youngsters, we played in the ubiquitous mud puddles—making bridges, dams, and islands. We were blessed with many fruit trees in the yard, and I have wonderful memories of climbing trees and picking and eating apples, plums, and cherries. May 1 was May Day, which meant we picked the many available flowers and created bouquets. The tradition was to place a bouquet on a neighbor’s porch, ring the bell, and quickly dash away to hide and watch the reaction. Lilacs and roses were, and are, my favorites.

In the last ten years, I’ve taken up gardening. My husband enjoys watching me garden and asks me if I’m having fun “playing in the dirt.” The answer is a decided “yes.”

Lately, I’ve been thinking about play, specifically about outside play that involves nature. During the pandemic, I am more grateful than ever to have outside space and a garden. Even though I recognize that gardening makes me happy, I never specifically thought of it as play, nor as prayer, until I met Dr. Christine Sine and learned of her work. I should have more clearly recognized the connection of gardening to God —the deep peace I felt while gardening and the heavenly joy I experienced from my rose blooms were pretty obvious clues.

In her book, The Gift of Wonder: Creative Practices for Delighting in God, Dr. Sine said:

 “To enjoy God more fully and recognize God’s delight in us, we must rediscover the world of childhood and unleash the inner child hidden deep in our souls.”

How do we do this? Dr. Sine thinks it is childlike characteristics like these that we need to live full lives and be fit for the kingdom of God:

• Playfulness

• Awe and wonder

• Imagination

• Curiosity

• Love of nature

• Compassion

• Unconditional trust

In the garden, I am connecting to my inner child —and that is precisely why it feels so good. My mind is clear. My body is moving. I am creating. I am one with nature as I “play in the dirt.” My body, mind, and spirit are all happy . . . just like a child at play. If I intentionally add gratitude to God for my garden, for the fact that I am physically able to garden, and for all God’s beautiful creations I see, then truly my gardening is a prayer. 

What is your recipe for play?

Maybe it is an indoor recipe related to art, writing, games, crafts, creating things (even something simple like paper airplanes), cooking, or just plain silliness. Maybe it involves a beloved pet. Or, family and friends with dancing, tai chi, or sports—if pandemic-appropriate. A wonderful bonus is that when we are relaxed, laughing and having fun, even for just a brief prank, we are creating healthy ripples that help others to do the same. We all need this during this challenging season of our lives. 

SUGGESTIONS:

1. Reflect on the last time you played and try to remember how you felt.

2. Study the childlike characteristics listed above. Which of these traits do you strongly exhibit? Are any lacking in your life?

3. Commit to one new activity that will help you reconnect with your inner child and develop the trait(s) you are lacking. Share this plan with a friend or family member—this will make you accountable and may well give you something you can both laugh about or do together. If you are feeling stuck and don’t know how to proceed, maybe you can find a puppy or a young child to help you out—they always know what to do.

3. Read Maria Shriver’s prayer, shared on her Facebook page:

“Dear God. During these hard times, please help me reconnect with my inner child. Help me find that spirit that I’ve long forgotten. Help me be present in the now, laugh out loud, seek joy, and embrace a sense of joy and responsibility. Amen.”

4. To learn more about this topic, listen to my conversation with Dr. Sine or read her book, Gift of Wonder.

How are you doing?

Dear friends,

During this difficult time, I just want to wish you well. How are you doing? Is there anything specific you would like me to address in this blog? Do you like this topic? Do you play? It would be terrific if you would share with us your tips about play or how you unleash your inner child. Hoping to hear from you.

God bless all of you.

P.S. Don’t forget to sign up for my monthly blog or follow me on Facebook or Donna Chacko on Twitter. If my message helps you in any way, please consider sharing it with others. 

Dr. Donna Chacko promotes health of body, mind, and spirit through her website (serenityandhealth.com), her blog, and programs at her church. She is the author of the award-winning book and Amazon best-seller Pilgrimage: A Doctor’s Healing Journey (Luminare Press, 2021). You can read her full bio here.

Additional Reading