“How would your life be different if you decided to give freely, love fully, and play feverously? Let today be the day you free yourself from the conditioned rules that limit your happiness and dilute the beautiful life experience. Have fun. Give – Love – Play!”
Steve Maraboli
42 Days Of Yes!
Day 3: Play
Today was one of those ideal Midwest summer days: 75 degrees, sunny, a slight breeze. Although my to-do list seemed to have expanded overnight, this morning I looked out the window, looked at my children, and said YES to the urge to play. We hopped in the car and drove to a nearby state park to enjoy its trails, lake, and playground.
Over the years in scenarios like this, I would often bring a book to read while the children played. Today I brought nothing but sunscreen, water, and the desire to join them on the playground. I re-learned what we as adults already know but sometimes forget: free play, without any rhyme or reason, is fun. 🙂
I did note one interesting observation. My sons challenged me to make it across the play structure (partially pictured here) without touching the ground. This involved climbing up slides, gliding across monkeybars, the works. About halfway through, as we crossed a wobbly and slightly-suspended balance beam, I noticed how the kids trusted themselves and charged ahead whereas I paused, looking first for what I could hold onto – some kind of railing or wall – for support.
This might make sense if I was on a highwire, but 1″ off the ground? Why the need to grab for reinforcement when I know I can do it – and even if I fall, what would it matter?
Sometimes we need to quit looking so hard for the safety net and focus on the journey and goal instead. Oftentimes, probably.
I’m pleased to report that once I made that observation, I forged ahead just like the kiddos. Well, not quite as fast as them, but… 😉
How often do you let yourself play freely, as if your age remained in single digits?
Where – in your work, leadership, or life – do you need to take off the training wheels, trust in yourself fully, and move forward?
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Dr. Christi Hegstad helps you successfully do what you love! As a Certified Executive and Leadership Coach and the President of MAP Professional Development Inc., she coaches executives and leaders who need to get unstuck – whether in your leadership ability, income level, or from spinning your wheels in the day-to-day. She teaches you to flourish towards your purposeful vision with clarity, confidence, and meaningful action.
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