Tip For A Long Life: Laugh-Play

Rant:

 

Tip for a long life: laugh-play!!  Did you know the word ‘play’ can be used as both a noun and a verb?  The example given using ‘play’ as a noun is, “a child at play may use a stick as an airplane.”  ‘Play’ used as a verb, is defined as ‘activity for enjoyment and recreation rather than a serious or practical purpose.’  Example given: “the children went outside to play.”

And therein lies the rub.  How come I could not find any examples using the word ‘adult’ when describing the word play?  Does something happen to us as we ‘grow-up’?  Does society give us the message that ‘play’ is only for children and at a certain age it’s time to get serious about life?  I think it does.  And, guess what, we forget about playing!!  I’m talking about ‘activity for enjoyment and recreation rather than a serious or practical purpose’ too! I’m talking about ‘goofing’ around, giggling, screaming with delight, laughing so hard no sound comes out, doing a silly dance, jumping in a pile of leaves, expressing yourself for pure enjoyment whether through art or dance or any of a thousand other ways!

Rave:

Laugh-play, that’s my Mom.  She has such a cute little girl.  Oh, wait, I bet you think I’m talking about me!  Nope.  I’m talking about the little girl that’s inside her.   I realize that I have known her little girl since I was a little girl!

See Mom’s little girl in this photo?  I can.

Mom was a single parent and on most Sunday mornings my two sisters and I would pile into her double bed, which at the time seemed enormous.  The biggest fight we had was who was getting each side of her.  “You were there last time, Susan.  It’s my turn”, I’d say.  Mom would intervene and figure it out then we’d settle down and wrap ourselves around each other.  We would giggle and laugh and talk about silly things.  She was as silly as we were. At our goofiest we would make up games and songs.  She would tell us the whole story about musicals such as  South Pacific or My Fair Lady and transport us to wonderful places. As we aged subjects were added, like taking care of ourselves as young women.   I remember the first time Mom told Susan it was okay for her to pluck her eyebrows, then looked at Susan and said,  “Susan, what happened to your eyebrows?”  Hence laughing so hard no sound came out.  I visited Mom a few weeks ago (right before her 96th birthday).  When I awoke the first morning my little girl was all excited to jump in bed with Mom and her little girl, which is exactly what I did!   As we were snuggling she said to me, “Too bad we don’t have a paper route.  I could fold them, you could throw them!” Once again laughter, giggling and goofing commenced.

I believe that the little boy or little girl we once were still lives within us. I am amazed to learn that many people are surprised when I say that.  My friend Ann Ranson is one of those people. I was telling her a story about Mom’s little girl and she said, “Wait, your Mom has a little girl? I didn’t know there was a little girl/boy still with us.” Well, I say ‘yes!’ Ann has always talked about playing more and creating more. I saw her recently and BOY has she tapped into her little girl. She sets a timer and when it goes off the music plays, that’s her time to dance around her house. She also has carved out a space to create her art and recently was accepted into a show at the Bath House Cultural Center.

Look closely at this photo of my friends Andy Taylor and Marie Taylor-Morrison.  Andy is in the stripped shirt and Marie is to his right.  Two ‘kids’ having the time of their lives!  For the record, play and fun are a HUGE part of their lives together to this day and I love it!

 Attitude:

If you are a parent or grandparent with young children, show them that play and laughter are wonderful things.  Play WITH them.  So, I say to you, get re-acquainted with that little person.  Experiment.  Give yourself permission to be a goofball, laugh, sing, dance, scream with joy and giggle with abandon!

I believe we still carry that little girl or boy inside us because I see and hear my 96-year-old Mother’s little girl all the time!  Wow, thank you Mom!!  If she is any indication that laugh and play helps prolong our lives what are you waiting for?

 

 

Originally posted 2016-02-10 20:09:36.