True Play

I went to visit some relatives this past weekend and ended up engaging in a game of Monopoly.  For me, this is what I would call 'True Play' - engaging in something that you love to do that truly rejuvenates and reinvigorates your soul.  Something about the combination of strategy, luck, the accumulation of 'property' and then the letting go (if you are the loser) seems to me an engaging metaphor of life...but that is me.

What I know is that I love to play the game and share in the fun with others of a similar mind, which in this case happens to be a number of my family.  The game is played with a passion (in this case we actually setup on a table in a vestibule just protected from the rain) and with a desire to win...but also a graciousness and understanding that losing and loss is actually more likely than winning.   In this case it was four of us and the first 2 out of the game actually seemed the happiest and most rejuvenated for participating.

I personally did well but appreciated more the fact that I totally engrossed myself in the game and was surprised to find that 3 hours had transpired at the end (these games often go for longer than that).  What I knew was that I had more energy and happiness after the game than before...a clear indication that it was True and not just 'participation' Play.  I have spent many years searching for and validating this True Play...for me it is something that brings joy to my heart and a smile to my soul.

And yes, there is always a winner...celebrate the achievement because I'll be back to play again! :)

All the Best,
Whitney
© 2013 All rights reserved, Whitney Merrill

"A master in the art of living draws no sharp distinction between his work and his play; his labor and his leisure; his mind and his body; his education and his recreation. He hardly knows which is which. He simply pursues his vision of excellence through whatever he is doing, and leaves others to determine whether he is working or playing. To himself, he always appears to be doing both." - L.P. Jacks