The Power of Play by Jan Shannon

I’ve read several blog posts and articles recently that connect the dots between consuming too much—whether food, material goods, television, or addictions—and lack of pleasure and play. The question they ask is this: What are you truly hungry for?

Though I love working with my clients and their teams, I can get so exhausted by business and conversations and people and doing-ness that I find myself feeling starved—for something. But I have a hard time slowing down enough to notice what I’m truly hungry for. I end up eating too much, or spending too many hours sleeping in on weekends, or wasting time or money on things that I know won’t bring me any real pleasure in the long run. As a culture we are especially susceptible this time of year to indulging in these false comforts.

Here is what I know truly restores me and feeds me:
• Walking barefoot in the grass
• Sitting in the sun on a crisp fall day, just feeling the warmth and breathing fresh air
• Co-inventing new games with my dog, Sienna
• Reading poetry
• Playing games with family and friends
• Watching wildlife at a lake or river
• Taking a long bath with lavender oil and a good book
• Making art
• Finding and appreciating beauty—outdoors, in a museum, in music, in a gentle conversation with a beloved friend
• Getting out of my head and into my body

It took me just a few moments to make this list, and none of these require much money. Only a few require much time.

So now I will leave my computer and go out into this beautiful fall day, drive to nearby Mt. Tabor Park, and enjoy a walk in the fresh air to relieve my hunger.

What pleasure or play restores and feeds you? I invite you to make a list and choose at least one to do today.