New Word For The Day

Genuinity - something that has the quality of genuinity is understood to be real--not a fake. I think the word authenticity is overly used in our day and age, so I propose that we make use of this word as it refers to something having integrity, genuiness, & credibility.

Play Au Naturel?

Bet my title caught your eye! No, I'm not referring to playing naked although that would probably make an interesting topic to explore sometime? Instead, I want to explore the question whether or nor play is a learned activity or something that comes naturally, a part of being human?

Obviously we are created for play, why else has the cardboard paper box become such a beacon for creativity! Ever seen the movie Millions? If you have seen you'll understand, if not have a view - well worth it! I think we teach play to an extent but the seeds of play reside in all of us, it is inborn like the need to breathe, think, and explore!

Real, honest play is ripe with creativity! No need for audio tracks, dvd interactive features, battery power, etc. Lose the technology - all you need is just a crayon and a piece of paper; a stick and some sand; some dirt and a finger....and simply add natural inborn creativity and you have play au naturel! Technology in fact often kills the creativity that resides in each of us. There are exceptions like perhaps digital cameras but honestly a pad of paper and a pencil has the potential of creating more beauty than 1's and 0's ever will!

Honest, naked play is stripped of programmed fun and replaced with natural expression of the tools of creativity! All you need is a few ingredients like paper or paint. When is the last time you played in mud? Sat in a sandbox? Fingerpainted? Play-doughed? Made a snowman? The list continues - feel free to post your favorite all-natural full-on play activity! I'll give a prize to the best one ;)

Exploring The Definition of Play

"Play is creatively exploring and finding contentment in life's pursuits: leisure, work, & self-understanding." - any comments, suggestions? I have refined this definition from a number of posts and the contributions of others but I am still willing to tweak it further with your help! Or if you just want to give me a high five I'm cool with that too! Play should be possible wherever we are - at work, at home, on the soccer field, or in the office! How does play affect our leisure quality? How does it change how we work? And in what way does it contribute to our self-understanding or our concept of spirituality?

Refined Definition of Play

"Play is creatively exploring and finding contentment in life's pursuits: leisure, work, & self-understanding." - any comments, suggestions? I have refined this definition from a number of posts and the contributions of others but I am willing to tweak it further with your help!

When play is defined as simply amusement (the typical dictionary definition) or having fun it seems too trivial or even shallow. As well, work and play are often put against each other as opposites but I have experienced play as being a component of work or vice versa. In fact, when we are most effective and creative in our work - the joy of play has clearly occurred! Is not every innovation the result of a brilliant mistake while playing at work?

Children use play as the primary means of learning new skills - why do we as adults ignore the value of play in our education? I get asked a number of times a year to lead team-building initiatives or challenges. What seems like a simple game, is in reality an amazing opportunity for self-understanding, teamwork, creativity, a recognition of strengths & weaknesses, leadership, etc.

G

Further Discussion on Play?

I'm hoping for more of a discussion on the role of play in life. Here's my collected definitions of play in real particular order:

1. to occupy oneself in amusement (the typical dictionary type definition); to escape?
   
2. to fully engage in life, in living
   
3. to celebrate life, discovery (an attitude or mindset?)
   
4. to find freedom; to explore ideas, concepts; to imagine or dream
   
5. to be creative in whatever endeavour attempted (see Genesis 1 & 2)
   
6. to be child-like in discovery of... (education of children occurs primarily through play)

Are there any definitions you would like to add or one's that resonate more strongly with any of my blog-readers. I'd love your input!!! I'm personally leaning with #2 "engaging in life/living" and I see play being critical to one's own understanding of purpose or lifestyle. All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy; All work and no play makes Garth go insane! I see play actually having a role in work - in fact, if you are not able to "play" at work - I'm not sure why one should be there. I read this on a mug recently, "Like what you do, do what you like!"

G

define play

I actually think I somewhat defined play in the post below but here's a more refined attempt:

play

1. to occupy oneself in amusement (the typical dictionary type definition); to escape?
   
2. to fully engage in life, in living
   
3. to celebrate life, discovery (an attitude or mindset?)
   
4. to find freedom; to explore ideas, concepts; to imagine or dream
   
5. to be creative in whatever endeavour attempted (see Genesis 1 & 2)
   
6. to be child-like in discovery of... (education of children occurs primarily through play)
   

Any thoughts re: my current understanding of play?