Blisschick recently wrote about the importance of play in our adult lives. At first I thought, no problem there, I play all the time. But then I started to really think about it. Turns out, I don’t play has much as I thought. Yes, I take the time to pursue hobbies that interest me, but they are usually tackled with a sense of improvement or accomplishment. THAT, is not play. When was the last time you forgot yourself and completely got lost in the moment and pure attitude of play? At least I can think of a few recent examples for myself, but it is far from a daily or weekly experience. I lost myself when playing in the waves at Melmerby Beach. This week, while I was yet again in a bathing suit, I was invited to play by a group of Cedar Waxwings. I was in a secluded spot on the lake, trying to meditate, but my thoughts were too busy criticizing myself (being in a bathing suit can do that to a lady). Then I noticed these birds flying acrobatically, back and forth, between the trees and a string of large rocks that dotted the edge of the lake. For awhile I made their activities my meditation. Slowly I began to forget about myself and got up for a closer look. I joined their play on the rocks and squealed with delight as they flew close to me, one almost crash landing into me a few times. One waxwing flew in from behind, apparently taking me for a rock, and was about to land on my head, but the sudden sound of flapping wings spooked me and I moved, causing the bird to land nearby instead. They are beautiful birds. I read in Animal Speak that waxwings remind us be gentle with ourselves, and that is the magic that group of birds worked on me that afternoon.
How often do you truly play?
[...] The berries are an important food source for many birds, including quail, grouse, pheasant, and cedar waxwings, especially in the winter as the fruit is produced in the fall and winter. And now I’m off [...]
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