MAP

Many of you have asked me where I’m finding more play these days. This winter, the most energizing ways to play are simple and spontaneous like extra honey in my tea to brave the below zero morning temps. Randomly texting a string of silly, confusing emojis to inspire my partner’s bewildered interpretation. Or having a dance party with my daughter to shake off the day before bedtime. 

It’s those simple acts of play that re-ground me and create motivation to take on the more serious tasks, which would often benefit from a bit of PLAY too.

PLAY supports discovering different paths a situation or interaction can take through movement, authenticity, and presence. In this way, PLAY can serve as a MAP to navigate the expected and unexpected parts of our day as well as lead to more choices in life’s larger scale transitions. 

Honest truth, I’m infatuated with maps. 

“Would you like a map of our [insert: city, museum, hiking trail, historical site, campus, theme park, campground, the world]?” YES, PLEASE! I say with my Rand McNally Road Atlas and pink highlighter in my other hand.

For me, maps symbolize the essence of PLAY, 

invitation…freedom…vulnerability

connection…fun…creativity

productivity…engagement…opportunities

I often keep maps long after the experiences end. Because, a well-loved map holds the softened, unfolding of our stories and the curiosity of roads not yet taken.

PLAY invites us to explore intentional movement that is sourced from authenticity in the present moment. 

Let’s pull out the MAP (and maybe a highlighter) and take a deeper look at movement, authenticity, and presence.