Playtime for me (given that it is now summertime here in Australia) means water play and swimming. It means loosing myself to the present moment – of swimming, diving and frolicking in the water. I swim underwater and lose myself in the crystalline beauty of the cascading and rising bubbles of air – rising from the bottom – while encased in golden sunlight. It is here in these moments that I am completely at play with my inner child. She is free, she is safe and she is able to explore and express. I love the sensations of the millions (okay thousands) of tiny bubbles as they massage my bare skin. The feeling is exhilarating. I then enjoy floating atop of the water, gazing at the clouds – losing myself to the beauty of the changing sky. I enjoy this regardless if the sky is pure azure blue and cloudless, or whether the sky in threatening with looming storm clouds. I push my luck until I can hear the distant thunder claps and lightening. While floating I get to watch the many native bees busy themselves in my beautiful lemon Myrtle trees that line the pool area. I delight in seeing a bee just being a bee. It is like being in a mediative resting state. I literally can use playtime like this for hours – time literally becomes irrelevant as I am in complete flow and awareness. I absolutely adore being able to float in the pool and watch eagles soar high on the thermals – I imagine myself as the eagle – outstretched wings and soaring. My playful imagine takes me there – to be in that moment. It is complete bliss. And in those moments I feel like the richest person on the face of the earth. There is literally nothing that can improve those moments of playful bliss.
There are millions of other examples of playtime, but for this post Im simply leaving it at this one. Playtime is necessary to recalibrate, to rest and repair our nervous systems. Playtime helps to balance the cognitive load of being an adult, and mores an adult with a demanding professional career and a child with additional support needs due to having a complex disability. Without playtime, I would be stale, stagnant, trauma bound and frustrated with my so-called lot in life. Whereas with playtime I am able to balance out the demands – I am able to reconnect with my inner child, I am able to enjoy and accept feelings of joy in my life. Playtime equals joy-time. It’s not bound by money, stigma and wealth – it is about getting back to basics in nature and observing and connecting with nature. Playtime is a gift that gives exponentially. Playtime is able to heal the aches of adulthood and redress some of the unresolved trauma from childhood (for those who experienced trauma) So embrace playtime – don’t feel misplaced guilt, rather look at it as an investment in your health and wellness journey. Playtime helps to replenish the well, whilst also helping to reinforce the walls, to prevent seepage.
Selectively Juggling 
Leave a comment