The Power of Play
The ABC's of Living with Wonder and Exuberance
by
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I am ADVENTURE I am the one who waits for you to wake up in the morning, so that we can jump into the wonder and possibility of the fresh new day. I wait patiently, but I’m always ready to yank you out of bed as soon as you are awake. From my eyes, everything is an adventure, the opportunity to explore – to create and find new and exciting worlds. I am full of excitement, anticipation and wonder. I turn the ordinary into extraordinary. I am eager, and I’m willing to listen. I am flexible. I am a seeker. I am courageous and willing to risk. I don’t always think about consequences or outcomes. I may be impulsive and not have much long-range vision – so I can go off and forget to pack my lunch. Fortunately, I have lots of good, responsible friends who remind me to bring along the appropriate supplies. I am wide-eyed and ready – like a loyal dog who is eager for his walk. My heart is racing, my breathing fast, my tail wagging. I love to pretend! I like to do new things and try something I’ve never done before. Imagination is my middle name. WONDER and WHAT IF are good companions. YOUR TURN • When you first wake up in the morning, ask yourself, “What adventure is calling me today?” Then, go do it! • Make a list of all the things you’d like to do before you die. Then pick one and DO IT! One way to do this is to write your own eulogy, ahead of time – things you would like to be remembered for, and then living them to ensure that it really happens: Travel all around the world. Ride in a hot air balloon. Meet someone successful or famous, and have a conversation with them. Change careers. Don’t be tied to a job you don’t like just to pay the bills. Explore your options. Spend a night in a castle. • Smile and say hello to strangers. Keep the conversations going beyond the simple pleasantries. Other folks often have very interesting perspectives – different from your own. • When you are driving from one place to another, take a different route. Try a new road you’ve never tried before. Take one road to work and a different one back home. Take the “blue highways” (non - Interstate ones) when you are on your summer vacation. • Try an ethnic food you’ve never eaten before. • Remember those places in your own hometown that you would take visitors to, but don’t ever make the time to go yourself. Visit them yourself. • Listen to a new radio station. • On your day off, get up early, get in your car, and start driving. No maps, destination. See what unfolds. Go where the winds take you. Have fun! • Invite people of different ethnic or religious backgrounds over for a potluck. Have everyone bring a dish from their culture to share. Enjoy the taste explosion.
Formats Book Details We come into the world as vibrant and exuberant children. We become experts at seeing with eyes of wonder, joy and curiosity. As we grow older, many of us forget to live from our naturally playful core. The Power of Play: The ABC's of Living with Wonder and Exuberance Within each chapter is a cool illustration, a description of the letter (A is for Adventure, B is for Balance . . .), and a "Your Turn" section that gives suggestions on how to be more playful. It's fun. It's contagious! It's the way life is meant to be! What are you waiting for? Won’t you come out and PLAY! Will is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and an Episcopal priest. After over 25 years of working with people in clinical and parochial settings, he now "plays" with them - helping individuals and organizations recovery from terminal seriousness and rediscover their amazing exuberance and wonder. Eddie Delaney, the illustrator, is currently enrolled at Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond, VA. He is majoring in Art, concentrating in the Kinetic Imaging Field. He enjoys taking pictures, drawing, whatever else he can do to create art, as well as exploring the city and trying to live his life to the fullest.
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