great antidote is playfulness. Playfulness unleashes joy and vaporizes anxiety. If seriousness is life-threatening, playfulness is life-giving and life-enhancing. Perhaps you’re asking, “If seriousness
is so grave and playfulness is such a simple, cheap and enjoyable solution, then why aren’t we adults a lot more invested in being playful?” Obviously we adults have learned not to be all that playful out of a fear of seem- ing to be childlike; we are afraid other adults won’t think we are (wait for it) seri- ous enough. For the sake of presenting ourselves as mature beings, we adults have trained ourselves to ingest the toxin of seriousness and turn our backs on the healing power of playfulness. And by the way, there is no real connection between being serious and being a grown up. There are some serious—or rather, significant—realities about playfulness that will help us draw forth all its potency. First of all, while playfulness in and of itself is simply a wonderful attitude with which to approach life, it’s important to remember we live in a world where we will be tempted toward seriousness on a daily basis; the ultimate goal and benefit of playfulness, therefore, is to not let yourself be emotionally infected by the seriousness of others. Remember Dr. Don, the school coun-
selor who became so distraught over the seriousness of his new boss. Over the course of a couple years, Don went to work in a new school district among col- leagues who looked up to him. He began to exercise and found a number of enjoy-
able new pursuits. Eventually he bumped into his grumpy former boss at a state conference and they chatted briefly. After- ward Don mused to his wife, “How did I ever let that guy get me down?” Second, it’s important to learn that
playfulness is a basic attitude we carry with us every day. To remain light-hearted and uninfected by the seriousness of others takes practice, especially when we know there are many people we will encounter who are infected by—even consumed by—seriousness who will resent our light- heartedness. You may stumble and let such people “serious you up.” When this hap- pens, don’t beat yourself up (which is a sort of surrendering to seriousness). Rather spend some time with people you enjoy doing things you enjoy. Another important step, third, is learn- ing to use humor. Playfulness is an attitude. Humor can be an important expression of that attitude. Humor is a splendid topic about which much could be written, but let us offer just a few observations: if you are angry or quite anxious, it’s difficult to be spontaneously humorous; cultivating a constantly playful outlook makes it easier to be humorous, though nobody can be humorous constantly; if you are dealing with a person who is humorless, who never jokes and tends not to find things funny, it’s likely you are dealing with a dangerously serious, potentially toxic person. Finally, fourth, the summit of playful- ness is attaining the ability to have a play- ful, joyous attitude regardless of the grav- ity of the situation and events you’re ex-
periencing. Consider how worthy a goal this is, however, because it means you recognize that seriousness and signifi- cance are two very distinct things. It also means you have grown to the heights in your ability to play, laugh and rejoice. This also means you are more likely to be ad- mired, respected and loved. It
is said of the great Sir Thomas
Moore, Archbishop of Canterbury who was beheaded by King Henry XIII, that he joked continually as he was led to his execution. Addressing his final statement to the sol- emn dignitaries gathered to witness the event, Moore wryly proclaimed, “The king has commanded me to be brief. And soon I will be very short.” Playfulness may or may not extend our
lives, but it will certainly make the time we have more enjoyable for us and those around us. Oh, yeah, about that riddle: what’s the difference between a hippo and a Zippo? A hippo is 4000 pounds. A Zippo is a little lighter. When it comes to our attitude toward life, we can be serious (heavier than a hippo), or we can choose to be playful (a little lighter).
Dr. Mike Simpson, a “third generation” Family Systems practitioner, is the founder of Fix Your Family and a Family Wellness Coach who has used Family Systems to work with individuals and groups for the past 25 years. The author of the book Fix Your Family, he can be contacted through his website (
fixyourfamily.org), email (
1fixyourfamily@gmail.com) or phone (336 257-9276). See ad on page 8.
Robinhood Integrative Health Bruce Lantelme, MD
Weston “Wiggy” Saunders, MD Bose Ravenel, MD
Elizabeth Bozeman, MD Kelly Carpenter, NP-C • Christen Duke, NP-C • Jenny Addison FNP-C • Gina Davis, FNP-C 336.768.3335
• Bioidenti cal Hormone Replacement Therapy • Adrenal & Thyroid problems • Breast Health • Perimenopause / Menopause
• Low Testosterone • Nutriti onal Medicine • Epigeneti cs • Consultati ve Pediatrics
www.RobinhoodIntegrativeHealth.com 18
NaturalTriad.com
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44
