let's play

"We don't stop playing because we grow old; we grow old because we stop playing."

George Bernard Shaw

There's even a word invented for it; Neoteny - keeping childlike and immature in adulthood.  Is it that rare that we need a special word for it? 

I remember a particular step aerobics session when the steps were unavailable for some reason.  So the instructor improvised and we spent the hour running around the room playing silly games like we used to as kids.  I've never laughed so much and worked so hard at an exercise session.  It was wonderful.  And I found myself thinking, why can't all exercise be this fun?

I have a dream that when we finally get to make a home of our own, I want to make a playground.  For me and those who want to come and play too!  It'll have big slides, rope swings on trees, a climbing frame and a tree house.  Minimum. 

I also want to make a disco room (maybe will have to double as the bedroom...) where I can play my favourite music really loud and just dance and sing and lose myself for a while.  Just like I used to.

Why do we ever stop doing these things we love?

And what about work?  Steve Keil puts forward the case for play in the workplace - he's transforming businesses in Bulgaria by making work a fun place to be.  What a fantastic boss he'd be.

Play is proven to be better for our health and wellbeing.

So why not look stupid once in a while? 

Let's jump up and down and dance and feel better!

Let's be the Tigger, not the Eeyore!

Sod what the others think, let's play before we forget how..............