PLAY-TITUDE #12: CREATE YOUR OWN ADULT PLAYGROUND

“It is the child in man that is the source of his uniqueness and creativeness, and the playground is the optimal milieu for the unfolding of his capacities and talents.”

                                                                                                                                ~Eric Hoffer

I have been thinking a lot about what my playground looks like.   What are the toys that I play with as an adult that bring fun, rejuvenation and joy?  What are the toys on my playground that are the source of my creativity and uniqueness?  What would my adult playground look like if I could design one that would bring me and others ultimate joy and moments of abandon?  I really don’t know.  When I think of playgrounds, I think of physical activities, and though I have done ropes courses and participated in leadership activities where I rappelled down a 90 foot cliff (link to an earlier blog where I am rappelling a cliff) although exhilarating and coming from a place of courage, seemed in the end like a lot of work—fulfilling work, but work none the less.

My fun exists in writing, in going to the movies and theater with friends, in cooking a great meal, in playing board and card games, in dancing, in singing, in reading, in making something beautiful.  Except for the dancing, my playground sounds more like an arts and crafts room than an outside jungle gym.   I am realizing that a bit more physical fun would, well…be fun.   So I have started thinking about what my playground would look like.  It would definitely have a pool and a hot tub.  It might have a gazebo with a wide open space for dancing and yoga.  Beyond that, well I am drawing a blank.   And the activities I would do on a physical level that would be fun…well, that fun doesn’t come quite as easy.  I have done a bit of yoga.  I walk.  Exercise…but fun?  I am playing around with trying out jazzercise or some dance as my physical jungle gym.  I am not quite there yet.  But it is coming.

My friend sent me a video of an adult playground.  (G Rated I promise).  The man featured on the video is 70 years old and has created a backyard full of adult fun and exercise.     The man has a philosophy of “Never Leave the Playground”.  To see him in action, one can see the benefits he has gained by never leaving his playground.   He exudes joy and fun and his physical dexterity is amazing.  To see his playground click  here.

Life is a playground.  For me, it is more of an indoor playground right now.  I want to venture into the jungle gym.  What is your ideal playground?

PLAY-TITUDE #9:  Find a playground where you can play to discover your uniqueness and creativity.

Thank you to Two Writing Teachers for dedicating space and time for writers and teachers of writing to come together to share ideas, practice and life experience.