What is this list??

You've heard the advice...

Let yourself go,

Take the leap,

Recapture delight,

Let yourself play like when you were a kid.

And you've heard the phrase...

Child's play.

A phrase which usually means simple, lighthearted, and inconsequential. But for children, play is a most serious business. They use it in earnest to develop themselves, their relationships, their understanding of the world, and their efficacy.

Child's play is just right for children. It's exactly what they need. It's actually sophisticated and very consequential. Children do not do well without it.

But now let's ask...

What kind of play do you need as a social change leader?

Well, it's great to be able to kick back, relax, and enjoy yourself in a way that's just plain fun.

And then there's...

Serious fun.

Meaning play that's developmentally just right for leaders who want to play at the top of their game, both their outer game and their inner game.

And that's what I'm talking about here, play that...

Fires you up.

Breaks the spell.

Gives you special powers.

Takes you beyond best practices.

Allows you to do that hardest things with grace.

It's play that comes from the deepest place in your heart. You're taking a stand for what you believe in, the strongest stand you've ever taken, and you're doing so with delight, compassion, invitation, and affection.

But here's the thing. You don't get this kind of play for free. You don't get it by simply letting go. You get it by developing yourself. It takes time.

It's counter-intuitive. You go east by heading west. You go up by digging down. You get surprised and the people around you get surprised. It's got a lot of mischief in it. And kindness. Lots and lots of kindness.

Serious play is the very heart of the soaring operating system where you get to ground yourself, again and again, in three nurturing questions...

What am I called to?

What do I need?

And...

Where's the fun?! The serious stuff. The advanced stuff.

If you want to explore the issues below, or any others that come to mind, please feel free to give me a call.

 

1.  INNER CRITIC
Love it, so it can love you.

2.  INNER GUIDE
Let it give you power.

3.  MYSTERY ANGER
Explode the mystery, and poof, no more anger.

4.  RESISTANCE
Provoke it, release its happy secrets.

5.  BANTER
Stand behind your adversaries, make it hard for them to hurt you.

6.  SELF-IMPROVEMENT
Trade up to self-enjoyment.

7.  CRAP
Walk on it, don't swim in it.

8.  MISCHIEF
Go over the top with your whole heart.

9.  GRACE
The down-to-earth kind.

 

© 2011 Rich Snowdon