Adventure: Play Like a Kid
June 15, 2009
Having a Spirit of Adventure will make you feel young and alive. But in order to cultivate that zest for life we need to learn from those who have mastered it: kids!
Kids tend to be full of energy, curiosity, and fearlessness. They don’t get bogged down by all the possible scenarios of things that could go wrong. They aren’t too lazy to get up and play, and they are always looking for something new and fun to do. If you can’t think of something interesting, they will.
About a week ago we went to Stone Mountain Park because Hunter wanted to try the Sky Hike. This is essentially a ropes course with three different levels; the highest is about 4 stories above the ground. You have to wear a harness and clip in to a safety rail, in case you lose your balance and fall off the ropes.
I wanted to take him there, and really wanted him to be excited about it, so I put on a brave face. I acted like it was going to be the most fun thing in the world… but really I was a little worried about it. It is no small secret that I am not exactly an athlete, and I was pretty sure I’d be scared to death on the top level. I pictured myself having to be “rescued” by one of those teenagers that works at the park.
But guess what?
I loved it! In fact, I dare say, I excelled at it! Talk about a quest for balance! I was poised and downright graceful on those tightropes! Who knew?! In fact, it was Hunter who got a little tired and scared as we worked our way to the top of the course. I was even letting go of MY ropes to help him with HIS! I was so proud of myself, I wanted to do it again!
We then went on to do an outdoor course with a zipline and a rock climbing wall. We rode the gondola to the top of the granite mountain and hiked all the way back down. At that moment, you could have invited me to an Everest Expedition and I would’ve been on the next plane to Nepal. I felt invincible… just like a kid.
Ahhh… they have it made, don’t they? Kids get to feel like that all the time. WE used to feel like that all the time. In fact, if I’m not mistaken, we used to BE kids.
What happened?
In order to become an adult, is it completely necessary to relinquish our youthful vitality and zest for life? I’m going to go out on a limb here and say, “NO!!!”
We have to work, we have to pay bills, and we have to deal with some challenging crap. BUT… we can still enjoy life, too. Finding a balance between stuff we HAVE to do and stuff we WANT to do is child’s play. Kids do it all the time: school, homework, sports, recitals, chores… AND FUN. Fun is always in there because it is as important to a child as all the others put together, maybe more so.
Why don’t we value and make time for fun in our lives?
The best part is, if we’re making time to play with kids, they win too. If you don’t have your own kids, then offer to babysit your sister’s kids, or volunteer down at the Boys & Girls club. Trust me, YOU will get more out of it than they will.
So, what fun thing are YOU going to do this week? When was the last time you played like a kid? Isn’t it time you made fun a priority?
Grazie!!!
No related posts.
Posted in choices, family, happiness, Spirit of Adventure
content rss
I make time to play every day, even when the kid isn’t here. As much as possible, I try to make everything I do into a game, or an adventure.
When I clean the house, I set the laundry basket out in the middle of the room, and throw the used wash rags into it as they get dirty. Vaccuuming becomes a game of seek and destroy, and decluttering is like playing Indiana Jones (what can I find that I can donate today?)
Working as an editor is a little like playing Sherlock Holmes…can I outsmart the author?
And everything I do is an adventure, or at least I try to make it into one. Grocery shopping is a treasure hunt, and paying bills is a mental battle against the forces of evil. Going to the bookstore is the best treasure hunt of them all!
I never tell people that I’m going “out to lunch.” I always tell them that I’m going to hunt wild buffalo or forage for berries in the wilderness. Whenever I go out without any particular destination in mind, I always tell people that I’m going out on a walkabout.
This is why I’ll never grow up
.-= Jay Schryer´s last blog ..Mindful Meditation Monday – Wrap Up =-.
And THAT, Jay, is one of the many reasons I adore you!
Wow! When you put it like that, I feel like I’ve been missing out on all my regular chores. I’m great at neglecting them and I procrastinate doing them because they feel like… well, a CHORE! Maybe we should rename them. Today I’m going to tackle all my household ADVENTURES, instead. That actually sounds like fun.
What a great idea, Jay. No need to go out and FIND something fun to do, necessarily. We can just take something we’ve been doing all along and MAKE it fun!
Maybe you should come do my chores, I mean Adventures, for a while so I can learn the ropes from the master.
Well, you know..it’s like my friend Kelis said: “I could teach you, but I’d have to charge.”
.-= Jay Schryer´s last blog ..Mindful Meditation Monday – Wrap Up =-.
Have you seen a kid laugh out loud at the simplest things?? It´s magical.
A couple months ago I played with my friends a kid`s game called ¨El Pañuelo¨ and we had, like, the time of our lives, just running around and falling, I felt like a 5 year old and wish I could play like that every day. I guess I´ll have to follow Jay`s advice and find the fun in my every day chores. Happy Monday!
.-= Rosa´s last blog ..Si tu quieres bailar! – If you want to dance! =-.
I really want to do battle with a light saber. Lisis, are you up for it?
On my plate for this week? Lindy Hop. A hike. Wisdom teeth extraction.
Hmmmm. Jay, would you be willing to spin that last one for me? I could use a bit of help…
.-= Nelia´s last blog ..Hank’s Rebuttal : Illusion is My Seductress =-.
Way to go, Lisis! Sky hiking looks really fun! When I was in the military, I wanted to go to jump school. I never got around to it while I was enlisted, but I took the challenge when I became a civilian and learned to skydive solo. What an adventure! I was scared of heights, but like you mentioned, once I was out there I was a natural. Who would’ve thought????
My goal is to take myself on a “date” every week to do something I haven’t done before, to take myself on an adventure. Even if it is just walking in an unfamiliar park or going to a different city library. That way I usually get to be around and watch children play, too, since I don’t have children of my own.
Jay: I liked your approach to cleaning, too. Search and destroy the dust bunnies! : )
Even as a kid I don’t think I played like a kid. I’m not as good at playing as I’d like to be and this is something I DEFINIELY need to work on. Thanks for reminding me to set aside some play time!
.-= Positively Present´s last blog ..10 lessons from the classroom of life =-.
Hi Lisis,
My husband and I were talking about this subject last night. And we both agreed that having fun has to be a way of life because life is not just about obligations. Yes, bills have to be paid and blah, blah, blah. However, life is this wonderful journey that has to be enjoyed. I am not saying not to be responsible because that would be stupidity. But a person can still be responsible and be like a kid in the world. At least, that is what I try to do every day.
.-= Nadia-HappyLotus´s last blog ..Falling In Love With You =-.
@ Jay: Sounds like you may have a whole new business opportunity with this. Everyone wants to learn how to make their chores more fun!
@ Rosa: Maybe you CAN play like that every day.. it’s at least worth a try!
.-= Lisis´s last blog ..Adventure: Play Like a Kid =-.
@ Nelia: I am SO up for a light saber battle. I’ve been training with my little Jedi for years! As for the wisdom tooth thing… not sure that counts as fun. Even a kid would have a tough time seeing the silver lining there. If anyone can, Jay can.
@ Lori: I did the same thing you did. I went skydiving in order to get over my fear of heights… and it worked! Kind of an extreme approach to the problem, but… what can I say? I guess I’m that kind of girl, just like you! I like the “date” idea. I need to do more of that myself.
.-= Lisis´s last blog ..Adventure: Play Like a Kid =-.
@ Dani: What do you mean even as a kid you didn’t play like a kid?! You’ve got some serious making up to do! So this prescription goes double for you.
@ Nadia: Why am I not surprised you were on this subject recently? We are totally on the same wavelength, it seems. Well then, it must be true… Play Now, Work Later!
You know…wisdom teeth extractions really aren’t that bad. You get put to sleep for the actual surgery, so there’s very little pain involved, and you get the really good pain meds for the recovery period. For a week or two, you’re supposed to take it easy, so that gives you a free pass to avoid household cho…err…adventures.
You get to eat lots of comfort food guilt-free, and you have a wonderful excuse to just watch tv or read all day long.
When I had mine removed, I had a fun time using the blender to make “forbidden” food edible. You’re not supposed to chew for a few days after the surgery. I wanted pizza, so I put a cold slice into the blender, and chopped it into a fine powder. I also did that with dry cereal before putting it in milk. Fruit smoothies are also yummy, and (if I remember correctly), you can have all the ice-cream you want! And it’s guilt-free because it’s doctor’s orders!
So escape into the adventures of books and tv, eat lots of ice-cream, and get plenty of rest. Oh! And enjoy the trippy dreams that come with the pain meds! Those are perhaps the best adventure of them all!
.-= Jay Schryer´s last blog ..Mindful Meditation Monday – Wrap Up =-.
Lisis : It’s on and crackin’!
Jay : Hmmmm. I really like this bit about comfort food (I’m all about emotional eating). However, I discovered yesterday I’m actually having 5 teeth removed, the result of which bone will be exposed. I can’t eat anything hot or cold (therefore, no ice cream) until the gum grows and covers the bone. I was also told that while the bone is exposed to make liberal use of my pain killers.
But, as you can read, I’m quite good at playing the victim card game. Does that qualify as playing like a kid?
If not, I’ve really got to make the most of these trippy dreams. Thanks for the spin!
.-= Nelia´s last blog ..The Sacrifice Myth =-.
Jay: awesome job finding the silver lining (I knew you could!).
Nelia: way to play the victim card! You need to read Stephen’s article today about that very topic:
http://www.ratracetrap.com/the-rat-race-trap/stop-being-the-victim.html
Nah, on second thought… you DO get to play the victim because exposed bone sucks, no matter how you spin it.
Lisis yet again calling me out as per my expectations. Checked out the link. Guilty as charged. (Sigh.)
.-= Nelia´s last blog ..The Sacrifice Myth =-.
Don’t worry, Nelia… I’ll love you even when you are milking the victim story.
This post was worth it for the picture playing Indiana Jones with his housework!
I know I don’t allow myself to play anywhere as much as I want to .. yet. Thanks for the reminder.
And I’m now off to the kitchen hunting down my supper of vegan bigos (thanks to Nadia for the recipe!). It will be a tough hunt, but I have my daughter’s butterfly net so I think I’ll manage.
.-= Ian | Quantum Learning´s last blog ..Everyone’s in a hurry =-.
Now I have the image of Jay as Indiana Jones cleaning up his place, and YOU in your kitchen with a butterfly net! Nothing left to say, but Mission Accomplished, huh?
Hey Lisis!
really like how you put the bit about how “if you can think of something interesting, they will!”
…so true!
looks like suuuuch an adventure
glory times. i’ve got definite mixed feelings about heights :p
i definitely agree with what you say about what people do when they grow up… or rather, feel that they have to do. so stupid.
“be innocent, like a child” – Amma… one of my favourite quotes, it’s by a living saint named “amma” in india. dubbed “the hugging saint”, she hugs people all day from 4am to 11pm. middle of nowhere india. proud to say i got a hug from her about a year ago. magical stuff…. but i like the way she put it. we get so jaded and feel like we have to be mature when we grow up. be innocent, like a child.
inspiring stuff lisis. thank you!
gave it a stumble.
all the best
alex – unleash reality
Hey, Alex… I wonder if Amma is hiring. I sure would like a job where I get to hug people all day long. Although, I don’t know about starting at 4am… that didn’t work out so great for me last week. Maybe I could take a later shift?
“The Hugging Saint” What a great title! Maybe I can be The Childish Saint. Hmm.. childISH, childLIKE, immature… none of these has quite the right ring to it. Maybe it’s the Saint part I’m having trouble with! I’ll have to keep working on that.
Great to see you here, my friend!
OK, Lisis started me thinking and Jay made it a done deal — I am seriously psyched about turning around my thoughts and making life fun again!
That’s GREAT news Suzanne! That’s exactly what we all need to do… choose to make our lives as enjoyable as they possibly can be.
How do you just let go? I want to be more fun and play more with the kids, but perhaps its anxiety or depression or whatever that makes me frustrated that they dont listen or makes me just want to decompress in front of the TV alone. I have terrible guilt about it. I once read “guilt is an excuse not to change” this is true I suppose, but I need to find a way to flip the switch to be able to let go and be carefree an fun and laugh more. Dont get me wrong, we do things together (even though wish we could do more) and I have fun doing it- sometimes I get caught up in the moment realizing how wonderful it feels and sometimes talking myself out of wanting to stop and go hide because I know we are both having fun and I want the kids to have good memories of a fun mom, cuz I really didnt. Anyway, sorry to blather on, I was just wanting your insight. You seem so relaxed and carefree- perhaps Hunter is more behaved than mine?? Thanks,
Hi, Charity! I hadn’t answered this comment before because (as you know) you stopped by my house and we talked about it in person! But, it is an important question nonetheless, and one many parents struggle with.
There are so many barriers to just letting go and having fun with our kids, some external (work, busy schedules, any number of crises) and some internal (stress, depression, insecurity, etc.). With or without kids, I think it’s important to step away from the things that tie us up physically and emotionally… to regroup.
Sometimes, when I am super-duper busy and stressed, I will stop everything and just ask Hunter to hang out on the couch with me, or go for a walk with me, and tell me about his LEGOs or his video game. I try to really pay attention, and understand what he is excited about, and be excited with him, because I know that he (like all kids) has life figured out. He can live entirely in the present moment. Forcing myself to think about just what matters to him, takes my mind off my own silly things (bills, health, self-defeating thoughts). And, as an added bonus, makes him feel valued and noticed and loved. Everybody wins!
I will confess, however, that I have had MANY days when I can’t seem to escape my own thoughts. On those days, I sit and play a board game with him (something that doesn’t require me to be entirely focused.) My body is present, spending time with him, and my mind is just focused enough on the simple tasks of the game to give me a little relief from those “other” thoughts. Simply breaking the chain of thoughts seems to help.
At first we kind of have to force ourselves into these new patterns and behaviors, but after a while it just becomes what we do naturally.