The Importance of Play
Many people confined to bed with illness experience relief from pain and symptoms during visits from children, pets, and people who have a light, playful sense of humor. Additionally people who are ill often have this same sense of relief when engaged in activities or even memories of activities that are playful to them. There are even reports of patients who experience complete and spontaneous healing following re-engagement with healthy play. Strangers in public often exhibit a dramatic and immediate change from a neutral or negative state to that of happiness and friendliness in response to children. Play therapy is a very potent component of treatment, because it bypasses defense mechanisms and accesses unconscious insight and solutions.
Play does not need to be limited to specific times, places or activities. There are countless ordinary circumstances where playfulness can be a valuable asset. One small playful moment can positively and significantly shift the energy in a large crowd of people. Play is not confined to behaviors. It can just as easily be attitudes, feelings, physical sensations, body language and words. We are here to honor our God, our planet, each other and ourselves through the efforts of our work and through the lightness of our play. And we might ask ourselves in all that we do, if we are contributing to the suffering or to the happiness in our world. For play is a sign of youthfulness, health and vitality that irrespective of current circumstances, puts us in the fullness of life.
WWW.MARYCOOKMA.COM Mary Cook is the author of “Grace Lost and Found: From Addictions and Compulsions to Satisfaction and Serenity”, available from Barnes & Noble, Amazon.com and Borders. She has 34 years of clinical practice and 29 years of university teaching experience. She is a national speaker and has a private practice in San Pedro, CA. Mary is available for telephone and office counseling, guided meditation, speaking engagements and in-service training. Contact her at MaryCookMA@att.net and see website for further information.
