letterfromthepublisher
A
recent evening spent in conversation with friends
drew me back to childhood memories. We
reminisced about times we spent playing games
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with friends or playing alone using our imaginations. We
easily recalled our blissful feelings and noted that we all
once had regular daily playtime.
My favorite playtimes were spent with Barbie, Ken
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and mutual friends, who were always available and open
Stacy Hairfield
to a new adventure. Never limited by a lack of resources, we all had an end-
less abundance within the 10 x 10 foot confines of my bedroom. Timeless hours
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were spent designing and creating new homes that sometimes comprised entire
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neighborhoods. If we felt like indulging in elegance, a footstool became a lavish
Advertising penthouse apartment with a spectacular view. On other days, adventure unfolded
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as we discovered never-ending rows of secret caves behind the floral skirt that
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adorned my single bed. Barbie, Ken and I packed the car with richly colored
sleeping bags, fashioned from my old knee high socks, and ventured out to experi-
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ence the unknown.
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Some time between the hormone overload of puberty and my early adult
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years, I began taking myself seriously. I identified with “adult” things such as my
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job, home, and significant others who came to depend on me. I, like most of you,
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can’t recall the final time I played unselfconsciously just for the sheer joy of inter-
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acting with my imagination. There were no conscious thoughts in my mind when
Phone: 540-789-5550 I put Barbie away permanently and stepped into the serious world of adulthood. It
Fax: 877-331-2596 just happened.
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Today, I am blessed to watch our sons and daughter enjoy the bliss of play
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whenever their unencumbered and uninhibited minds feel the urge. Whenever
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they ask me to join them I notice that it’s not easy for me to play anymore. I have
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forgotten that which once came naturally. Play now requires more focus and self-
discipline than my work.
When I reach back into my storehouse of playful childhood memories, I real-
ize that they are all readily accessible. But, the reason I stopped is not. This leads
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me to wonder when I became so serious and what makes the work I do now more
Although some parts of this publication may be
reproduced and reprinted, we require that prior
important than the play I did back then? This month the opportunity to introduce
permission be obtained in writing.
shepherd and sheep dog trainer, Craig Rogers of Border Springs Farm (page 12),
Natural Awakenings is a free publication distrib-
Earl and Linda Ruggles of Mini Blessings Farm (page 22) and Homeopathic consul-
uted locally and is supported by our advertis-
ers. It is available in selected stores, health and
tant, Mary North (page 24) to readers gave me the opportunity to spend time with
education centers, healing centers, public libraries wonderful human beings whose boundaries between work and play are nearly
and wherever free publications are generally seen.
transparent. This is what happens when we do what we love and love what we do.
Please call to find a location near you or if you
would like copies placed at your business.
This was just what I needed to wake me up to the fact that if I can shift my thinking
We do not necessarily endorse the views ex-
a little and learn to think of my work as play, then I will magically have more fun
pressed in the articles and advertisements, nor
every day. Won’t you join me in doing the same?
are we responsible for the products and services
advertised. We welcome your ideas, articles and
feedback.
In joy, health and peace,
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