I met with a man today who felt guilty because he’s turning twenty and believed it’s time to now grow up. HA, what does that mean? I asked. He didn’t know exactly. I pointed out the fact that he had a job (for the last 5 years with same establishment), was going to school, with an agenda. He had a goal. He wanted to be a counselor for high school kids. He wasn’t meandering about without purpose. He had a future vision of himself that he was making steps towards fulfilling. I then asked, do you feel like a child inside? Yes, was his reply. I asked do you suppose you’re still having fun and playing at life a bit? Yes! he said again. I said, GOOD. Keep playing and setting an example for the rest of us.
Life doesn’t have to mean struggle. He equated growing up with being serious. Is it necessary to be serious in order for life to have purpose or deep meaning? Can we learn through play? Isn’t that how it all begins for us as children? We use play and imagination to learn and grow. Why does that need to be eradicated as we age?

We as a society have standards that often repress and control our natural enthusiasm and subdue our approach to life. We then exchange play for the need to be seen as perfect. Perfect must mean powerful whereas play and making mistakes equates to disapproval. What’s sad about this is that we make disapproval MEAN SOMETHING. Generally it seems to mean, “I’m no good”. We use another persons lack of ability to play mean: were bad. How ironic. We take their serious approach to living mean they are better, more responsible and grown up. I think another perception could be, scared and inflexible…wanting to be seen as perfect!

If this young man carries courage to view himself from a lens of acceptance, he might just be able to play his entire life and that in of itself, seems like a successful life. Please, don’t grow up and become serious my dear friend, just continue doing what you’re doing, be brave and show us how to play, how to laugh, how to have fun living.
Every child is an artist. The problem is how to remain an artist once we grow up.” -Picasso
Peace.