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
Do you consider playfulness a virtue? 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,… 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
If you have been following my blog for a while, you might remember a post I wrote about my mom that was about paraplegia and swimming. You can read that post here. My mom is a paraplegic and has been in a wheelchair for over fifty years as a result of injuries she sustained in… Continue reading Playful Lessons I Learned from My Mom: Paraplegia, Pandemics, and Play
