Comments on: Ready, Steady, Play!

By: Shannon

Shannon — Sat, 29 Nov 2008 19:18:32 +0000

I love to take my daughter to the park. I like that she is getting the fresh outdoor air and that there are enough things there to keep both of us busy having fun and burning some energy. A play date like this is a great date for me.

By: Pam

Pam — Sat, 29 Nov 2008 05:18:52 +0000

My husband, kids and I unwind during weekends over board games. I think it’s been a consistent solution to stress busting, catching up as a family and doing something other than watching tv or playing video games.

By: Kathleen

Kathleen — Thu, 27 Nov 2008 10:23:00 +0000

Writing helps me get pent up feelings, ecstacy, disappointment and plain boredom out of my system.

By: Austin

Austin — Mon, 24 Nov 2008 13:51:26 +0000

My four year old son keeps me young and I like it!

By: Jonsie

Jonsie — Sun, 23 Nov 2008 10:22:28 +0000

Painting is my escape. Whenever I feel that I need to get away I get out my paints and canvases and let the energy flow. Now mind you I am no artist of the highest standards- I have taken a few classes here and there but nothing hanging in a gallery. . . yet. :-) But it does provide a release for me that nothing else can. My own little personal form of art therapy if you will. I wish that more people could find something like I have with art that would allow them to get more meaning and fulfillment from life. This has not always been a part of me but now that it is I would have a difficult time if I did not have this medium for my release.

By: Amy

Amy — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 14:17:50 +0000

I honestly feel that a lifetime of hard work and struggle has left me with no memory of how to play anymore. Isn’t that sad? I have the hardest time relaxing because I am always too busy thinking of the million other things that I need to be doing right at that moment.

By: runninfast

runninfast — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 00:02:35 +0000

As the username implies I am always running from here to there and rarely take the time to stop and appreciate all of the goodness all around me. This article has inspired me to do a little better in that regard. No promises but I really am going to try to do better to realx and enjoy all that life has to offer!

By: Paul

Paul — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 17:55:44 +0000

Pardon the pessimism but how can anyone even consider playing at this time? There are too many people simply trying to hold onto their jobs to give too much time over for play. This is a time when we all need to buckle down and work harder than ever before.

By: Sarah Jenkins

Sarah Jenkins — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 14:27:03 +0000

I am so happy that so many of you have responded to this article. To me, the concept of play that I addressed also implies a life of balance. Yes, it is necessary for us to be able to be present in the world and “show up” for what life asks to show up for. Playing in a healthy way is about allowing ourselves the time to play and enjoy the wonders of life, yet also being grounded. Balance means that there is not too much focus on only play, nor too much focus on only work, for otherwise we forget to live.

By: Barbara

Barbara — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 04:13:56 +0000

I agree with Grayson about people playing a lil too much. My son is 35 and has finally finished college. He was the type to not take anything seriously in life. Having frittered away his best years he now realises that better late than never. There is a bad side to taking responsibilities too lightly as well.

By: Carolyn

Carolyn — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 13:02:37 +0000

I missed out on a lot with my own kids because of my insistence that play was for kids, not aduts. I will not make the same mistakes with my grandchildren.

By: kendall

kendall — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 11:13:59 +0000

We all need play in our lives, but I agree with Grayson, there is a time to play and a time to work. I can understand your frustration Grayson when it comes to teaching and you have adults who want to play around all the time. I believe this college kids need to realize they have all the time they need to play afterwards.

By: Ellie

Ellie — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 00:06:46 +0000

My play time does not necessarily involve playing with Barbies with the girls, but for me it is my exercise time. This is what gives me the chance to release my built up tension and anxiety and helps keep me going for the rest of the day.

By: Grayson

Grayson — Sun, 16 Nov 2008 02:12:57 +0000

I guess I have a little bit of a dissenting point of view. I work with college students who seem hell bent on making every moment of their day play time, and I try to stress to them that this is not the reality of what living and working in America is about these days. Sometimes i feel that too many people play a little too much and forfeit the real responsibilities in life. Play is good, yes, to a point, but there are other things that must be accomplished too and I feel that a belief in the responsibilities and hard work that it takes to live and live well is somehting that is severely lacking in upcoming generations of workers and adults in general.

By: Jenny

Jenny — Fri, 14 Nov 2008 10:07:01 +0000

All of us have loads of things to do every minute of our lives. When we prioritise time for pleasure and play it only means we are learning to compartmentalise things a little better. Reading a joke or just doing your nails can do wonders to your mood!!

By: Sienna

Sienna — Thu, 13 Nov 2008 12:58:47 +0000

This is one of the best advice pieces I have seen in a long time. It is hard to put away the things that have to be done in order to engage in some relax and play time but it has to be done for our own well being.

By: Brandee

Brandee — Thu, 13 Nov 2008 10:58:19 +0000

I love reliving my childhood and taking time out to play. I have a 4 year old and it does make you stop and enjoy the moment. I think everyone should take time out and just think like a child once and have fun.

By: mica

mica — Thu, 13 Nov 2008 10:56:43 +0000

You are so right Madeleine. We get so hung up in making a living, stressing over our jobs, etc. We follow the rules that we now are adults so we must act like one. You can be an adult, but you can also play and have fun. I think acting and playing like a child is one of the best stress relievers there is.

By: Naomi

Naomi — Thu, 13 Nov 2008 10:11:52 +0000

All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy. I believe this holds true for Jack or Jane even when they grow older and wiser. The key to reversing age is not anti aging creams but laughter and letting your hair down. I totally agree with Madeleine. I traded in a busy workday to being a stay at home mom. I did go through a lot of post partum blues but 4 years later, I am still a full time mom and I believe this job has a lot huge dollops of fun thrown in through the day!!

By: Madeleine

Madeleine — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 14:12:05 +0000

Having a child has forced me to be young and play again, and I like it! You are so right- as we grow older and more “mature” we tend to push to the side the things that once made us happy. We forgo what were once thought of as childhood dreams to do something more responsible, earn more money. Having a child has brought me back to earth. It has allowed me to reexamine life, figure what was then and still is important to me, and forced me to relax and enjoy all that I have. The highlight of my day now revolves aroung playing with her, reading, cuddling, not managing a huge deal. I hope that more readers will take this article as a challenge to do something fun, get back to your roots, and live and play a little today!

By: Mica Beeka

Mica Beeka — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 11:47:12 +0000

i think we should all have fun in our lives. There is always time to play, even for 10 minutes. I love to read and organize and to me this is very relaxing

By: jeni

jeni — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 11:45:30 +0000

I totally understand this. I am 38 yrs old and love to find time to be playful. I have the most fun and laugh the most when I am acting silly! It truly is great for the soul