Power of Play

The Power of Play

“What I learned from Climbing Trees”

As I reflect on the power of play, I think of how important play is in the development of children.  It is through play we get to experientially and kinestically learn so much!  Our environment, our bodies and our dreams become our classroom.   I immediately thought about climbing trees, and all I learned from that simple time of playing in my youth.  

First thing that comes to mind is watching my older siblings jump up to catch that first branch, so crucial in the skillset needed to climb a tree. Being younger and always small for my age was such a challenge for me, so I would jump up over and over again attempting to catch that limb, learning persistence.  I learned creative thinking as I would look around to find something to raise me up higher to catch the limb, and when that didn’t work, I learned collaboration by asking for help to catch that branch.

The next hurdle was to build the strength to pull myself up into the tree.  Again, I would look for assistance from the tree or a friend for a “leg up.”  Eventually one day I was IN the tree.  Oh what a feeling!  Accomplishment, excitement all tied in with a new perspective.  

Now it was time to learn to climb around in the tree.  I remember watching my siblings or friends climbing up and they would shout down encouraging words to me and also wisdom.  Yes, we can learn from the lessons of others.  The wisdom shared that I still remember was to step close to where the branch meets the trunk, to shift weight gently and to use arm strength to lessen the weight in the standing branch.  

It was so empowering to begin to climb in and around the tree, and then pause and look around.  To simply be in the tree, view the world from the vantage point and see another perspective was so much fun!  Whether I was up there with a friend just swinging our legs and talking about life, or all by myself taking in the beauty that surrounded me, I always found a sense of connection with the tree. The lesson of appreciation through Nature was a big lesson learned while playing outside, especially while up IN a tree.  

Learning to be fearless, or at least pushing beyond my fears was such a big part of “playing” in trees.  It wasn’t just a “try it once and stop doing it when I couldn’t find my way” disempowering experience.  Through play I would over months and years learn to get into the tree, climb up higher and higher, begin to explore going “out on a limb”, share the experience with others, help others younger or smaller than me to do it and share in the journey of growth and aging.  

Play is valued when we are children and then somehow it’s value gets lost as we start to grow up, and then we start to shift our focus to more serious practices.  But what if we can do both?  What if we can learn to be studious and still value play?

I encourage you to take time this month to play.  Play games with friends and develop new pathways through laughter, losing and winning.  Explore your world by taking different routes home, eat something new, try a new skill by taking classes or just doing a new fun activity. Get uncomfortable, settle in and breath.  Lighten up and let go.  

Go out and PLAY!