Birds are happy, chirping away in the woods and backyards: “It’s springtime. Let’s have fun.” Play is important. But why do I feel reluctant to engage in this essential human activity?

Merriam Webster’s definition of the verb to play reads: “To engage in activity for enjoyment and recreation, rather than a serious or practical purpose.” I understand play as a carefree mélange of curiosity, laughter, and movement. The key word is “carefree”. I prefer to play by myself, when I remember to do it. Why? Because I tend to feel that I’ll be judged if entering into play with others. I shy away from group games and sports. Will I be able to be carefree enough in social playfulness, or will I be accused of holding back? Even people, who encourage others to be playful, may later turn around and shake their heads when we actually are jumping with joy.

It doesn’t help that games and sports became competitive endeavors: “I’m the best. I win.” This attitude is amply supported by media, and widely spread through advertising campaigns. If the sense of being carefree is hampered, fear has more space to thrive: “Am I good enough? Am I loveable?” Worry cuts us off from fun, and locks us into anxious mode of continuous work-for-pay.

At the beginning of the 21st century, we are still operating on the hundreds-of-years-old clock system. The 9-5 workday is considered the right one; the early birds are the only ones praised. What about the night owls? Where do independent people fit in? The prevalent modus operandi squeezes us into tight boxes, demanding that we mindlessly follow mechanistic schedules.

Curiosity is not encouraged, nor is out-of-the-box thinking. It’s too dangerous for the predominant status quo. Strictly structured physical exercises with very specific measurable outcomes are the ones encouraged: “I lost so much weight. See the chiseled muscle definition I gained. Wow, look at how many pirouettes she did!? He swam for days on end? Amazing.” All of these activities have their place, of course. The problem arises when they become the only approved way.

Free movement that allows personal expression is important. Soulful movement that inspires joy is essential for human well-being. Body, our earthly sheath, needs adequate physical action. Soul, our essence, needs light-filled engagement.

When we are bound to matter too much, we have to breathe out. Constriction is released in expanding laughter. After a cry, a laugh chimes. Giggles are often followed by tears. We can observe these principles of expansion and contraction in children at play.

Birds know how to play too. I watched a red cardinal sing its song the other day. Perched on a bare branch, it declared its tune, paused to attentively listen to other birds singing, and then responded with confidence.

Trees are playfully expressive as well. A few years back, when I still lived in Brooklyn, NY, I observed how the river birch outside my window was eager to share the fresh green pinkish buds with its peers in April. Then the temperatures dropped, and its excitement got thwarted, yet, it managed to recover, slowly. The three mulberry sisters responded with their first green leaves. And the oak tree was careful, yet, thriving in the spring. Each one of them followed their own rhythm, which varied a little from year to year. They were not judged. I simply observed and marveled at the beauty they revealed.

Like birds and trees, we too, each one of us, sing our own melody and blossom at our own time. Early birds and night owls, we all contribute our uniqueness to the rich tapestry of humanity. Our inner child wants to play, and explores with curiosity, laughter, movement. Can we provide supportive and carefree mood for our individual expression?

Out in the sense-world’s glory

the power of thought gives up its separate being,

and spirit worlds discover

again their human offspring,

who germinates in them

but in itself must find

the fruit of soul.

~ Weekly Verse 2 by Rudolf Steiner from The Calendar of the Soul
(trans. Ruth & Hans Pusch)

In the world of senses,

the power of thought emerges

in the human incarnation

of the Spirit worlds.

We are of the Spirit,

born onto the Earth

to find our Souls,

to blossom.

~ Soulful Spark 2 by Marta Stemberger

---

Over to you, dear Soulful Reader:

HOW DO YOU PROVIDE SUPPORTIVE AND CAREFREE MOOD
FOR YOUR INDIVIDUAL EXPRESSION?

I invite you to share your thoughts + impressions below.

---

Treat yourself to insightful name analysis…

---