We grew up playing.
We loved playing. At every opportunity. With anyone and everyone. With neighbours. With friends. With guests at home. With strangers. With pets. With stray dogs.
We were looking to play all the time. While eating (spoons and plates were musical instruments). While Bathing (bathroom was a swimming pool). In the Classroom (teacher appeared to be a clown). While Studying (Books were very useful – as building blocks to create houses and bridges). Everywhere.
We played. Always. Made a lot of mistakes. Broke things. Were shouted at. Forgot about them. Had Fun. Learnt a Lot. “Took’ whatever we wanted with “ferocious tenacity”. The World seemed to be at our feet.
Gradually, play reduced and “seriousness” took over. Pressure to confirm to “thinking” of peers, family and society restrained us.
After growing up, we don’t play because:
- It is a waste of time
- Looks foolish
- Time is better spent in making money
- There are more important matters to deal with
- Fatigue prevents us
However, whenever we play, we become fully alive and thoroughly enjoy those moments. Playing helps us sharpen our intelligence and enhances our vitality.
Playing few minutes everyday rejuvenates our being and provides the energy to enthusiastically complete regular tasks.
So, why stop playing?
I agree with this concept of why stop playing but I don’t think we ever stop playing, it’s just that the game changes. We don’t play cricket or football or kho kho or marbles but we play with other people. We build our own individual castles and start playing mind games and trust me, playing this game could be a real pain no matter which part of the world you are in. I thing as we grew old, we choose different plot and always want to win, win them all. We want to be the best and appreciated and praised…
You are right, why stop playing, the question is what is the game? Personally, I want to play simple games, Golf is simple enough for me!
By: Manish on January 29, 2009
at 9:29 am
Great Observation!
Your comments remind me of the Book – Games People Play by Eric Berne.
The “transactional analysis” model surely indicates that people do not play simple games….worse, all those complicated games are “programmed” in the past. So, here is wishing freedom to all from “robotic” games:-))
By: Amarendra Srivastava on January 29, 2009
at 9:50 am
Yep….:)…There was so much fun in everything I did in my childhood…..GAME GAME & GAME!….In my adulthood also I find myself playing many GAMES….but Alas!…they are rarely of my choice……I want to play Piano…..I want to dance….I want to play badminton…..n so on!….but i’m not playing either of these games!!
By: Ankur on January 29, 2009
at 11:01 am
Got That, Ankur!
So, let us together discover WHAT are the barriers to playing FULL OUT! Especially the Games of Our Choice!
By: Amarendra Srivastava on January 29, 2009
at 11:38 am