I grew up in a very volatile angry household and from my earliest memories I don’t remember play, let alone deep play and the joy that I’ve seen in children’s faces playing. I grew up with a tv and stereo being my friends and magazines as my window to the world. I was a messed up kid from the war zone I called home and I didn’t make friends easily. I didn’t want them to know what went on at my house and I was never really allowed to go to anyone’s house often. So my bedroom was my sanctuary and when I did play, my play was imagining I had friends, or families like the few friends I had were blessed to have. So play was never joy for me, it always ended in having to come back to my all too real world. There was a huge disconnect. I grew up not even knowing how to play, really play where joy and laughter were the center of the world. But even the most well adjusted kids grow up and let day to day life, work, bills, etc… make them forget how to play.
Through a lot of healing and lately a lot of learning how to live my authentic self without fear and releasing that fear I realized that play was something I need to find. No matter how awkward that might feel (and it does), how scary it is is (it really is), I need to nurture that child within and allow her to have self expression. One of my biggest joys in life is just watching kids play. To hear their laughing and giggling. I’ve never laughed or giggled much (why so serious) but when I have it becomes so emotional I usually end up crying happy tears. And I instantly feel so good and so connected. So yeah, I need more of that and I need to give myself permission to feel it all. We all need more play, who couldn’t use a lil more.
Rev. Brien Egan CHt, CRM, CKRM is a certified hypnotherapist, a reiki master, karuna reiki master, pranic energy worker, EFT practitioner, life coach. He manages and created: Just be: natural spiritual healing and wellness And is the director at Camp Now Brien is also a teacher and has had studies in Psychology/Special Education
I recently met someone who has become a mentor to me. His life in so many ways reflects what lies inside me. My soul recognizes his soul. His name is Brien Egan. And besides all the rest of his credentials he and his beautiful kids and wife, love to play. In a few days I will actually begin Reiki Level 1 and he will be my teacher and mentor. But just through knowing him he has reminded me that there is a part of me that still lies dormant or covered hiding secretly away. The child within me needs to thrive. It’s one of my biggest obstacles in life and on my path in life.
Diane Ackerman wrote about the importance of “Deep Play” as an antidote to anxiety..
“Deep Play looks closely at the human saga, and consider how much of it revolves around play. Simple play, elaborate play, crude play, sophisticated play, violent play, casual play. Most animals play. Evolution itself plays with lifeforms. Whole cultures play with customs, ideas, belief systems, and fashions. But it’s a special caliber of play, deep play, that makes thrill-seeking understandable, creativity possible, and religion inevitable. Deep play awakens the most creative, sentient, and joyful aspects of our inner selves. More than anything else, our passion for deep play has made us the puzzling and resplendent beings we are.”
And Jason Silva spoke about her writing and his thoughts on Deep Play..
So my friends, let yourself play! It will reduce your stress and allow your creative self to thrive. Your tension will melt away and your inner child will be nurtured and allowed to flourish!
Ways to begin to play:
😝Sports
😝Join a band or choir. Learn to play an instrument
😝Local theater
😝Game nights/weekend play day day
😝Play with your kids
😝Crafting
😝Pottery/Painting/Art
😝Cosplay
😝Volunteer for a youth program
😝Go out and blow bubbles
😝Build sand castles
😝Climb trees/mountains/zipline
😝Dance
😝Coloring Books
😝Jump in puddles
😝Sing
Add your favorite ways to play in the comments!!
