Let's Play!

Joseph Meeker, a human ecologist, is known for his book, Spheres of Life, The Comedy of Survival. I found an interesting and inspiring essay of his online called "Comedy and a Play Ethic", which details the value of a play ethic (versus a work ethic) in reconcilling damage, breakages, maybe even chasms,in relationships into wholeness. These relationships may be with others, with self, with one's environment or one's spiritual relationship. Play takes all kinds of forms - conversation can be a form of play (can prayer be a form of play? I think it can.), and of course, art is a form of play. "The play of great art calls for high skills and imagination, and reminds us that the world itself can be our gigantic playground. Art, like play, sometimes takes risks that threaten the tidiness that civilizaiton values so highly. Art and play are sources of new experience and they encourage change, so they worry people wholike things to stay put and be obedient" (Meeker, 2000). Meeker's suggested "Playbill of Rights":

• All players are equal, or can be made so.


• Boundaries are well observed by crossing them.


• Novelty is more fun than repetition. Rules are negotiable from moment to moment.


• Risk in pursuit of play is worth it.


• The best play is beautiful and elegant.


• The purpose for playing is to play,nothing else.

"Play rather grows from our sense of freedom. It produces strength and skill for the players, stimulates the imagination, and encourages agility and self-confidence." I remember times in my life when I was at play and there was a sense of "rightness" with the world and a sense that I was in my "element". These times often occurred when I was playing with my children, especially when we were building a cardboard fort, exploring the creek bed by our house, building sandcastles or playing with playdough, or really any time when we were "exploring" our environment for no other purpose than what unexpected discoveries might present themselves. These times also occurred, not always, but often, when I was emmersed in my own art project, especially when I allowed the action and the process to take over any pre-concieved purpose. These times were reconstitutive, restorative and healing. Think back to a time when play brought to you a sense of peace and wholeness, remembering that all sorts of activities can constitute play. What did that feel like? Have you felt this recently? If not, stop what you are doing and go play! That's what I'm going to do.