Tis the Season... To Be Playful!

We live in a world filled with uncertainty, and in my work with clients I assist individuals in dealing with the frustration caused by the economic downturn, the unconsciousness surrounding global warming, and the glaring abuses occurring in the political arena. They are all compassionate, successful and conscious individuals, but they have one thing in common – in one way or another, they want a healthier relationship with the ever-changing world. In this time of tremendous upheaval, individuals who have not yet learned to flow with insecurity and change suffer needlessly. But, as the saying goes, or to give credit where credit is due, as Radha has told me many times: "All work and no play makes Gary a boring guy."

even cement mixers love the holidays in Vancouver

We're spending a month at our home in Vancouver before returning to Florida for a few months of teaching, completing our memoir that has the same name as this blog, writing our Enlightening Moments Book and workbook, and visiting friends. This is the first time we've experienced the Holiday spirit à la Canadian, and it has been wonderful. The Holiday tree in our family room meant we could pull out of storage in the basement the ornaments, lights and assorted Christmas decorations that have been sitting boxed up for three years now. What a joy to feel the ‘Light-ness’ of the season.

sitting around the fire, thankful for all life offers

(Did you notice that Buddha put on antlers for the Holidays!)

Last evening we prepared a vegetarian meal for a young couple and their two children, Anika and Luke. We have known the dad, Solan since he was a child living in the Himalayas with his parents, and it was with great joy that we got to spend an evening playing with the kids (in all of us). This happy family took part in our new tradition: picking a hat and one of the two cardboard glasses, which project either snowflakes or Christmas trees onto each light source. All of our guests feel a bit odd at first, but then people begin smiling at their own personal light show. Radha and I take pleasure in watching the transformation right before our eyes.

Solan and Shauna

and their son Luke

I am, of course, prepared with a camera to mark the occasion. Some of our friends begin to sway back and forth (intensifying the light show) while others just display some form of childlike behavior that immediately gets us all laughing. It's so much fun to play!

laughter and dinner with friends

Playtime is especially important given the difficult times we're living in. Not adult play time, and by that I mean some serious activity that requires us to focus like skiing, hiking, watching movies or anything a five year is not able to do. I'm talking about just letting down the barriers of self-consciousness that keep the child in us from leaping out manifesting some spontaneous outburst of play!

Gabrielle kissing reinbears – ooh la la!

For example, what would be your response to two nine-foot ginger bread cookies walking down the street?

Granville Island playtime

Or going into a hat store spending an hour entertaining the staff as we all pick out my Christmas present from Radha.

Jeffrey and Sandi help me choose a hat

We need to play, to let go of the demands of ‘adult-life’, to just be silly like a little child coming over for dinner wearing something a little different.

starring in 'The Tale of the Tiger'... Ronin!

I woke this morning to see out the window two joggers. One was wearing blinking red and green antlers; Her partner was running with two red Christmas stockings attached to his chest. I laughed and appreciated that two people were willing to let their ‘little-athlete’ go out for a run in the chilly air! I love to play, feeling the child inside of me come alive. Laughter somehow opens me to knowing that as challenging as living an adult life may be- there is always a lighter side to it. Why not hold hands with Frosty?

Radha and her frosty friend

Or give a snowman a hug?

love to hug a snowman

Life can be intense, but it is always short. A smile to a stranger, a cheerful hello while shopping, and the willingness to jump out of old patterns to be down right silly makes life so rewarding.

new and exciting renditions of traditional holiday music

Last Saturday we donned our holiday hats driving down to Hastings and Main Street to assist in serving eight hundred baked potatoes with butter, sour cream, chives and cheese to our dear homeless friends on the margins of society. Being playful in the face of such harsh inequality can be a challenge, but we spent an hour serving them, and they gratefully accepted our love, lifting our spirits and allowing us to once again experience the joy of the season.

Gary and Jeffrey on Spud Patrol

It is a time of reflection on the past year, and a joyful positive attitude regarding the coming year. So my wish is that I continue to jump on every invitation to play, to laugh, to cry, to offer love, to share and to look into your eyes and recognize the playful being within. Radha and I are thankful for all the gifts. We wish your all a time to play with each other during the coming year ahead. It is a time to recognize how cooperation and compassion strikes a deep chord within. We need each other, and in spite of our the stressful challenges on the path, we look everyone in the eyes with playful joy and love recognizing the little child is ready, willing and able to accept all that Santa offers.

Radha's great-grand niece Josephine with Santa