Play Your Way to Balance

“There is virtue in work and there is virtue in rest. Use both and overlook neither.” ~ Alan Cohen

It’s been said that “All work and no play make Jack a dull boy”, but all play and no work lay the groundwork for Jack’s dissatisfaction and crisis of meaning. :)

Without work, there’s no satisfaction in setting out for a goal and achieving it.  Without play, there’s no fun along the way, and every step can feel like drudgery. The key is balance.

You can create balance by consciously scheduling work and play time, by establishing a practice of checking in to ask yourself what’s needed in the moment, or by creating a way to play with creating balance.

You might cut up colorful pieces of paper with quick ways to get inspired, get moving, integrate, and take care of yourself. Mix them up, ask what’s needed, randomly choose one and do it. These examples can get your wheels turning…

• Lie in corpse pose for 3 minutes.
  
• Spend 2 minutes writing down the craziest solutions you can imagine.
  
• Take 3 deep breaths.
  
• Close your eyes for 1 minute and imagine your vision coming true.
  
• Dance for one song.
  
• Do the quickest thing on your to-do list.
  
• For 2 minutes notice everything you hear, smell, see, taste, and feel.
  
• Think of something you’re grateful for – reflect on what made it possible and what’s possible because of it for 2 minutes.
  
• Watch 3 minutes of something funny on YouTube.
  
• Tilt your face upward and smile
   
  

Add whatever works best for you, and play your way to more balance.