Play and the Working Self

I recently heard this great Onbeing podcast on play, the guest was a man named STUART BROWN. He  is the founder and president of the National Institute for Play. (http://www.onbeing.org/program/play-spirit-and-character/143#.VBuCd0sYEpE).

One of the most intriguing things in this interview was the idea that the games we loved as children are our bliss. What games did you play? What was my favorite game? Where to find out? I am lucky that my mother is still living so I called her and asked what was my favorite game was when I was a child? I asked her, Was it dolls, playing outside, using my imagination? and she said, "You loved reading books", and what was amazing is as soon as she said that this flood of memories came back to me. I could remember sitting in a bucket in the garage, with a stack of my "little golden books", I recalled looking at pictures of Petunia pig and Frances and her tea set. I recalled running my finger along as I looked at the words.  I remember annoying the whole family reading road signs and, all of the credits after movies.  I remember reading Stephen King when I was twelve all night with a flash light. I have always loved words and stories.

I wonder why even though I am repeatedly called to write and even allowed long bits of time to work on writing, why is it that I avoid the thing that brings me great joy? What am I afraid will have to change if I really commit to writing?

I will try to share something everyday for the rest of September.