A few weeks ago, I failed.
My intention is to let my work feel like play, to actually enjoy this experience of being human each day, to cultivate joy in whatever I do.
And I got so caught up in striving to get a project done that I forgot to let myself feel the joy of my work.
I had been working so hard to finish this project and was completely wiped out. It felt like I was pushing the proverbial boulder up the mountain and my body ached with exhaustion.
There was absolutely no joy in the work. I was stuck in strive mode. I was ignoring both my body and spirit, asking me to surrender, to pause, to soften, to play.
Even when my babe came to me and kissed me on my cheek, I couldn’t receive the gift of her love with appreciation.
Thankfully, the second time my girl came to me, placing her gentle little hand on my arm, requesting my attention, I was able to come into the moment.
I came back to my senses, took my gaze from my screen and gave my attention to my daughter.
As soon as I turned my attention to her, I felt a deep breath move through me. I felt my shoulders relax and my mind started to remember what I endeavor to practice…presence, ease, alignment, joy.
My girl’s desire to connect with me, to laugh and smile and be present with me brought me back to center.
I stepped away from my work for a while, let myself play. We danced, we cuddled, we read stories together. And in doing this, I was able to invite ease back into my experience.
Later in the day, when I returned to my computer to finish up the project I had been struggling through earlier on, everything felt easier.
My shoulders were now softened, my mind flowing with ideas, my breath smooth and relaxed.
Instead of striving and working so hard to get through it, I was able to surrender and allow myself to flow with ease and grace through the experience…I was able to let work feel like play.
I am so incredibly blessed to be mama to two inspiring daughters who continually remind me to play, to slow down, to be present.
But then I wonder, what will remind me to stay centered and playful once they are grown?
And in this, I trust my practice.
I see how the practice is the thing that creates the experience and the life I dream of, that is the foundation upon which I design the life I want.
My practice of returning to my mat these past twenty years has made it natural for me to move into yoga asana or return to my breath during times of challenge.
In the same way, the practice of holding space for play, for wonder, for ease and grace, for being in flow will allow these states of being to become natural even without a gentle little one reminding me to relax and play.
Knowing how to play is wisdom our children carry for us. If we allow ourselves to remember, then we can let everything in our lives feel like play, like an adventure, filled with the wonder of this human experience.
Are you giving yourself permission to play? Are you letting play be a priority in your life?
Explore how you can invite more play and that lighthearted, in the moment energy into your daily experience…
Love & Peace,
Denise
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