dear ones,
Last week at a glance… in case you are interested to know… I spent a week at the Appalachian State Expressive Art Institute in the Blue Ridge Mountains, learning about creativity and play from some great teachers. Thoughts are bubbling up, so I wanted to share…..
My mind was overflowing with one-hundred-and-one stories: those of my easy-to-love loved ones, and stories of those I want and need to learn to love.
I drove myself up the mountain–a labyrinth-like-road–giggling to myself about the nervy, curvy road bends, and frightening myself with a few what-ifs.
I arrived at the top alone and unknown to join a group of 40+–each human offering a new-to-me-story that somehow now entwines with my own.
I stepped out of my life–up into the stratosphere–to focus on my own story, deepening my experience with and for the sacred work I feel a responsibility to.
Creativity and joy activism–what on Earth do these mean? What is possible for me to create and support and be connected to? What feels impossible, yet necessary? How can I serve with greater urgency, tenderness and love?
After four days carrying these focused questions in my heart and awareness, my body and spirit blown upon by the four directions… the answer?
Mmmm…. I still do not fully know. But whatever I am part of, I intend to remember to PLAY through to finding the answers and solutions our world so deservedly needs.
GROWN-UP PLAY is one of the most important things us grown ups can do for ourselves, for our children and for Mama Earth. Play is made of different energies than the problems we are facing right now… so let’s play, shall we?! When was the last time you played, dear one? If it’s been too long, be gentle with yourself. Perhaps start with a bottle of bubbles–a gateway joy device–an essential tool in the JOYFUeL playkit. 
Wishing you love and a LOT of play, too!
bjs
ɛïɜ let your SOUL shine ɛïɜ 
If each day is a 3-act play, do you begin with play, bracket play in the middle, or end with play?
As a child the answer was all three, of course …
When does that shift?
What causes the shift?
Is play a derogatory action, at times of responsibility?
Do you every feel sorry for play?
As an adolescent, pure play began to slip away, why?
As an adult, how can we each find our way back to play?
Oh Becky, I am loaded with questions and gratitude.
Wow Gail. really powerful reflective questions. Are you sure you weren’t that moth beside me there? I’ll hold these questions as I share more, as more bubbles come to the surface.
Play is my ‘ one word focus’ for 2017. I hope to be present more & look for opportunities to join in the FuN!!💛🎉