Remember to Play

Today was extraordinary.  The surf has been nearly dead flat for 10 days.  In the middle of winter that almost never happens.  Meanwhile the weather has been sensational.  High seventies, no clouds, no wind.  The water is clear.  A big storm that got stirred up near Japan finally sent overhead waves our way.  And by early this morning, these beautiful blue-green watery highways began forming and I went surfing.  It’s so energizing.  The cold water, clear morning light and super smooth wave faces.  When I came back my wife said she was so happy to see me back to my “real” self.  She said she can always feel the stress and tension in me if I go too many days without my playtime in nature’s biggest spa.  It got me thinking that all of us need to remember to play in ways that renew us.  For me the best way doesn’t involve video games or green fees; it’s just me and the ocean.  But everyone’s different.  What renews each of us is as individual as our fingerprints.  The main thing is that we know what it is and do it faithfully.  Regularly.  Play is an important part of psychological well-being.  When we neglect it we get cranky or worse, do and say stupid things.  Play…what a great idea.