Come On Out and Play!

The Puritan Ethic has a very strong grip of the American culture, well after it was brought over from England centuries ago. “Worth =Work” may not appear on bumper stickers, but a great many people live by this expression. To place all of your self-worth and self-esteem in your job or career is nothing less than insanity. You are not just your job or your pay check. While we all have to pay the mortgage, balance is the key to life. Experts in the field of Leisure Studies see an alarming decrease in the time spent in leisure pursuits for adults. Many people claim to have neither the time or energy to engage in recreational pleasures after work or on the weekends, yet these same people put in way more than 40 hours per week at work. While it’s true that a job does support one’s purpose in life, a meaningful life of just work can become toxic when things go bad at the office. Healthy boundaries are essential. Play, no mater what form it takes, is the balance to work. In the words of Jackson H. Brown (author of Life’s Little Instruction Book), “No one ever said on their deathbed, I wish I spent more time at the office.” It’s time to place a stake in the heart of the Puritan Work Ethic and declare some play time in your life!

Stress Tip for the Day:
Play isn’t just for school kids with recess. Play (non work time) is essential for everyone. Take a look at your schedule this week and ask yourself where is there time to allocate one hour (more if you can) of scheduled play. Calling a friend (to come out and play) is also a great idea! Then make this a part of every week!

• Website Links Worth Noting:
This website offers a fresh new look on Complimentary Healing and appears to have a DVD with a trailer to watch. Enjoy!
http://www.thelivingmatrixmovie.com/

• Photo of the Day:
Dolphins are the masters of play. This photo was taken at SeaWorld in Florida several years ago. This dolphin came out of nowhere to appear right in front of me face to face. I put my camera down, gave the dolphin a hug and then took his photo.

• Quote for the Day:
“Never pass up the opportunity to sell your cow for some magic beans.”
—Tom Robbins

Brian Luke Seaward, Ph.D. is an internationally renowned expert in the fields of stress management, mind-body-spirit healing and stress and human spirituality. He is the author of over 10 books including the bestsellers, Stand Like Mountain, Flow Like Water, Stressed Is Desserts Spelled Backward, The Art of Calm, Quiet Mind, Fearless Heart and Managing Stress (6E). He can be reached through his website:www.brianlukeseaward.net

© Brian Luke Seaward, Ph.D.