Grant Harrison at Humana wrote a brief article this week entitled Reinventing U.S. Cities for Health.  He noted in the article that in America, most of us don’t take enough time out of our days to “play.”  Although somewhere in Grant’s job description, I’m guessing the word “play” is used at least once.  Anyway he made the following comment that conjured up lots of great mental pictures.

“Let me diverge for second on “play” - play is about engagement in something not to beat someone, but just for the joy of it. We play a lot as kids. We generally don’t play much as adults. This is a mistake which we must remedy. Play more - on a bike, in a meeting. It’s not just a state a mind, its an act of movement and freedom.”

“Play” and “Joy” are two words that to me are like the perfect marriage.  They just were meant to be together.  If there is not Joy involved in something, there is a pretty good chance you are not playing.  You may be working at playing, but I surmise you are not playing.  Indeed, you are more likely to be working.

Anyway, as an adult, reading his article, the first thing I imagined were 5 or 6 adults on the merry-go-round of my childhood neighborhood park, spinning, heads and bodies leaned back, the world upside down, laughter, and Joy.

And then I thought of laying in the grass, and deep blue sky and clouds and images….of Joy. 

And lastly, I was pedaling down the street on my bicycle, with my eyes closed (for just a second), the spring breeze on my face, and my arms spread like a bird and Joy.

Now the reality of me spinning on anything is more likely to cause cosmic vomit than cosmic feelings of joy.  But Grant’s message came through loud and clear.  Playing brings Joy.  Heck, for me, thinking about playing brings Joy.  And playing and Joy are not only good for the body, but so much for the mind too!!

I second Grant’s motion.  Let’s make more time for play dates.  Let’s make for time for friends.  Do it just for the Joy of it!