Understanding we are Worthy, Capable, Connected, and Called to Adventure for a more Joyful and Resilient Life
Can play make us whole? Friedrich Schiller thought so. Schiller wrote the book On the Aesthetic Education of Man in the 1700s. And his argument is that play makes us whole as humans. This is perhaps an unusual claim, but his ideas are surprisingly relevant to us today. Here’s a bit of context on Schiller’s… Continue reading Friedrich Schiller on Why Play Makes Us Whole
Recently I learned some important lessons from Paige Zen on the value of play during hard times. First, let me tell you a secret: I think play can save the world. Or at the very least, I think it is one of the main things that saves the world. I believe this and have since… Continue reading Paige Zen on the Power of Play in Hard Times
Play is just as important for adults as it is for kids. Does that claim strike you as strange? It strikes a lot of folks this way. After all, many of us feel like play is the domain of little kids. But a lot of us feel that when we get older, we must leave… Continue reading Why Play is Important for Adults, according to Mihalyi Csikszentmihalyi
Most people have heard the old phrase, “Cleanliness is next to godliness", but I would like to coin a new phrase: Playfulness is next to godliness. And I believe this second phrase is closer to the truth. And believe it or not, I’m not the only one who thinks playfulness is next to godliness. I’ve… Continue reading Playfulness is Next to Godliness
Did you know there is actually a virtue of playfulness? It's called eutrapelia. If you are like a lot of people, you probably think of play as belonging to the arena of childhood. You might even think—and you would be right—that play is essential for healthy child development. However, if you are like a lot… Continue reading Aristotle on Eutrapelia, the Virtue of Playfulness
Lately I have been thinking a lot about playfulness and performance, which are two different ways we can approach the world. Both are necessary, but they must be kept in balance. Playfulness When we are playful, we become joyfully caught up in the moment, focused on what we are doing for its own sake, rather… Continue reading Playfulness and Performance
I have recently learned an important lesson about gratitude, and it has given me a great deal of joy. But before I tell you about that lesson, I should be honest about something. In the last few years, I have felt a bit skeptical about gratitude. It seems like recently, everywhere I turn, I have… Continue reading What I Have Learned about Gratitude Recently
What if all of us could live a more playful life? I believe we can. This week I got to interview my friend Paige. I met Paige years ago and knew instantly I wanted to get to know her better. She has mastered the art of embracing a playful life. Paige is the mastermind and… Continue reading Embracing a Playful Life: An Interview with Paige Hankla
I played in the snow this morning, and I loved it. This is something I would not have done a year ago, and I credit my rediscovery of the art of playfulness. You can read more about this here: I Stopped Exercising and Started Playing—10 Results My Mini Snow Adventure Last night we got several… Continue reading I Played in the Snow This Morning