Play Journal/ Play and Navigating Nature's Playground

The purpose of this journal series is to delve into various aspects of play in everyday life and observe its existence. I'll be sharing my personal journey and daily questions that make me wonder:) Enjoy!

Day2; Play and Navigating Nature's Playground

18.01.24

I have a deep affinity for bodies of water, whether it's the sea or a river.

Growing up by the seaside, the Aegean Sea painted the most exquisite shade of blue for me. Yet, unexpectedly, I found myself falling in love with a river – specifically, the River Thames. I often find myself asking, why the river? What makes it so playful? Is it the flow, the people, our interaction with it, or the nature that thrives alongside it? For me, the answer encompasses all of these elements.

Life around the river sparks numerous curiosities within me, evoking my inner child.

In my adult life, I took up rowing. Each time I'm on the water, I feel a childlike excitement, filled with thrill and wonder. The thrill arises from the uncertainty of whether I might capsize that day and, if I do, the challenge of getting back to the boat. Playful minds don't always generate pleasant stories; they can also create fear. The thrill lies in playing with that fear, teaching you to calm and manage it. As you master skills, you move on to other stories, like steering the boat in the best way possible. The key is to playfully challenge fear, transforming emotions into powerful actions. This is the Power of Play and Playfulness – the ability to turn fear into a source of strength.

The excitement of wonder takes various forms – observing nature, immersing in it, and seeing with playful eyes.

Noticing reflections when the blade creates puddles, witnessing sunrise and the changing colors on the water's surface, and experiencing the pitch-dark hours. The next level of engagement involves getting to know the river's residents and their behavior throughout the year – observing how swans land, geese walk, or coots glide over the water. My favorites are the herons with their exceptional steadiness and calm nature.

These details transport my mind to a childlike state, inspiring a desire to create from what's been observed. To maintain our curiosity, it's crucial to forget what's been learned, approach subjects with a wondrous mind, and ask questions like how and why, and what if. Nature becomes the raw material to create from, a powerful energy that fosters a thirst for knowledge and involvement. Freeing your imagination allows it to rediscover what has been thought. Playfulness is at its best when wild and innocent.

As we age, we accumulate knowledge and grow comfortable with the known. The tendency is to accept life as it is, without reflection or questioning. However, thinking like a child, with the enthusiasm of a childlike wonder, allows life to surprise us with excitement and motivates us to adopt new ways of thinking. Playfulness is the key to the Innocent Wilderness.

Have a Playful Day!