In today’s intense world where alternative facts masquerade as truthful statements … where Executive Orders bring confusion and fear … where outrage is commonplace … where inner peace is quickly disappearing … where concerns and fears about compromised health, terrorism, disasters, broken relationships, economic crises, political harangue and other stressors bring confusion, frustration, anger, and fear, a Spirituality of Play may seem to be a curious matter.
But, more than ever, I believe that a Spirituality of Play” is an attitude that needs to be cultivated in society, in educational systems, in families, by seniors and adults and by children and youth so they can become adults who live balanced lives where laughter, joy and hope are intrinsic throughout their adult life.
And that brings up the subject of today known by many as April Fool’s Day. Where did that begin and what’s it all about? Some link it to the 1564 adoption of the Gregorian calendar which moved New Year’s Day from late March/early April to January 1st and those who clung to the original date were mocked as ‘April fools’ (poisson d’avril in French, meaning “April fish,” a symbol of gullibility). Before that, the Roman Hilaria and the Hindu Holi festival (spring equinox) involved pranks and revelry, and Medieval Europe’s Feast of Fools featured role reversals and mischief.
From the Greek word selig (which means blessed) comes the English word silly. I like to think that there is something sacred about the ability, to be silly, to play, to laugh, to be child-like.
Many faith traditions (Christian and Hasidic storytellers, Zen masters, Taoist sages) encourage us not to take ourselves too seriously. These prophets have an important role in the spiritual life because they espouse the spiritual practice of play. Ralph Waldo Emerson wrote “It is a happy talent to know how to play.” Author Margaret Guenther wrote “When we play, we also celebrate holy uselessness. Play, in its disinterestedness and self-forgetting, can be fruitful.”
When we play … when we enjoy the fullness of life with its curiosities, frivolities and insensibilities … when we don’t take ourselves too seriously, play (like prayer), can be healing: healing to the body, mind and soul.
Interesting fact — when Hindus speak of the creation of the universe, they don’t call it the ‘work’ of God, they call it the ‘play’ of God … ‘play’ being sacred and holy.
When we play, we leave behind the daily stressors and allow our spirit to breathe and re-create. Literature, the arts, various traditions and holidays remind us of the importance of play of giving ourselves permission to be silly and foolish. And Russian artists from the 15th century often featured the yurodivy, a kind of “holy fool” in their paintings.
April Fool’s Day is a day for laughing, for playing gentle jokes and for trying to trick friends. For example, in some places in Europe, paper fish (poisson d’avril) images are put on people’s backs and play pranks on one another … in the UK, Ireland, the US and Canada, people play pranks until noon shouting “April Fool”, stopping their pranks at noon because after that is considered to be bad luck … in Scotland, there’s the two day tradition of “Hunting the Gowk” – sending people on fake errands … in Brazil, there’s Dia da Mentira (“Lie Day”) with the telling of jokes and fake news … Japan adopted western-style pranks in the 20th century … and in Iran, Sizdah Bedar (April 1–2) involves outdoor picnics and playful deceit. On the last day of the nature festival ‘The Hill’ in India, people have fun by sending friends on impossible errands such as finding a stick with only one end … in Native American traditions, Coyote is the Trickster … while in the Aztec tradition, Coyote is referred to as ‘God’s Dog’ … and in Hollywood, Wil E. Coyote always played tricks on the Roadrunner.
Modern twists on April Fool’s Day have brought media and brands embracing the tradition of hoaxes along with social media which seems to have an increase in memes for fun and play, not for real.
A Spirituality of Play helps us live with mystery, paradox and absurdity. It can open doors of flexibility, intuition, vulnerability, and doors of child-like innocence and spontaneity. If we can believe that the Creator created anteaters, duck-billed platypuses, giraffes clownfish, pink flamingoes, and us (!), surely it’s not surprising that the Creator has a great sense of humour and encourages us to laugh – and play!
It’s true – age creeps up, surprises us, reminds us of our mortality. Chronological aging is one thing. And growing old is another thing.
Perhaps many grow old because they stop playing? Play comes in many forms: laughter, dancing, doodling, board games, running with the dog along the beach, playing bridge, engaging in a sport, playing an instrument, creating anything … a shed, a dress, a poem, a painting, a piece of calligraphy, a meal, a book, a piece of pottery, a magazine article, a computer program, a piece of sculpture, a photograph, a monogram, a garden, a scrapbook, a bookcase …
I may be aging more quickly than I would like, and my body may be showing its age a bit more every day, but I refuse to grow old. Even if it’s only a bit each day, I try to play a little each day. This week I’ll be playing with paper products to create a handmade card for a friend who is unwell. When it’s cooler outside, I’ll be playing in the garden. And then there’s the recipe book I borrowed from the library that is inviting me to play in the kitchen and try out some new recipes. I suppose I could look at these three ‘play’ activities and see them as ‘chores.’ But I don’t. Perhaps ‘attitude’ is an important role in the aging process?
My beloved husband, Hans, was 85 (!) years young when I took this photo of him playing with bubbles in a local park. Hans was a pen and ink artist, calligrapher, retired engineer – a serious intellect who spoke many languages, read, discussed, imagined. Truly a Renaissance man. In his later years, he grew to understand the importance of incorporating a Spirituality of Play in his life and joined me in a daily mantra “Each day, I ‘age’, but I don’t ever want to ‘grow old.
If I reach Hans’ age, I want to still be incorporating a “Spirituality of Play” every day, in some way. What about you?
Balance is important for us and important for tulips, too.
Too much sun and they die prematurely. Not enough rain and same thing happens. But when Mother Nature provides a lovely balance of sunshine and rain … ahhhh, beauty.
Today, a rainy day and the tulips are loving every single drop. Capturing this almost-blossoming-tulip in the back yard, seemed to serve as an illustration of this Soulistry blog about balance.
When the busyness of life grabs us, or when we think we have no time, energy, creative juice or zest for life, perhaps it is time to ask ourselves “Where’s the balance?” Maybe we don’t allow ourselves to simply “be” and instead, we focus on ourselves as a “human do-ing” rather than a “human be-ing.”
Instead of doing things which drain us to the point that the passion-to-create or the desire to spend quality time with self/family/close friends is no longer paramount (or maybe even existent) in our daily activity, maybe it’s time to give ourselves the gift of Presence … a time when we nurture our Spirit … are gentle with ourselves … breathe in calm, peace and healing … breathe out anxiety, fear and pain.
Maybe it’s time to recognize that we don’t have to “do it all” … that saying “no” or “not at this time” is exercising wisdom … that acknowledging our vulnerability isn’t weakness, but strength in self-awareness.
Giving the gift of Presence to ourselves can become the catalyst for the precious balance s o necessary to a life where the spirit grows, personhood evolves and healing, health and wholeness can emerge.
May we give ourselves the Gift of Presence this coming week.
When life hits unexpectedly, it hurts. and when it hurts, it can wound
… not just physically
… not just emotionally
… not just spiritually
… not just intellectually
sometimes … all four.
When life hits unexpectedly and pain results … when life brings exhaustion beyond imagining … when the rain of sadness is in our heart what then?
Hopefully
… the Holy One of Compassion will be with us,
holding us close when we are weary, hurt, alone. (May Holy Compassion be with us)
… the Holy One of Mercy will be with us, forgiving those who have caused pain, forgiving ourselves, forgiving Holy Other. (May Holy Mercy be with us – you / me)
… the Holy One of Gentleness will be with us,
caressing us with sunlight, rain and summer winds
and shining through us to all who hurt and are lonely. (May Holy Gentleness be with us)
… the Holy One of Wonder will be with us,
delighting us with sunrises, daisies, songs, baby’s laughter,
enchanting our senses, filling our hearts, giving us wide-open eyes. (May Holy Wonder be with us.)
… the Holy One of Simplicity will be with us,
opening us to a clear vision of what is truth
and dealings with others will be marked by honesty, which is simplicity. (May Holy Simplicity be with us.)
… the Holy One of Patience will be with us,
waiting with outstretched arms
and encouraging us to “be still, deep within ourselves.” (May Holy Patience be with us.)
… the Holy One of Love will be with us,
listening, drawing us close as we tremble, lighting fires of faith and hope in hearts. (May Holy Love be with us.)
… the Holy One of Tenderness will be with us,
enfolding us with the desire to bring warmth
to those who are dis-eased in body, mind or spirit. (May Holy Tenderness be with us.)
… the God of Strength will be with us,
holding us close, on eagle’s wings
and we will be the sacrament of God’s strength to others. (May Holy Strength be with us.)
… the God of Peace will be with us,
stilling the heart that hammers with fear or doubt or confusion,
bringing the warm mantle of peace cover those who are troubled or anxious. (May Holy Peace be with us)
… the God of Joy will be with us,
thrilling us with holy nearness,
filling our heart to fullness, and our soul with an awe that is profound. (May Holy Joy be with us)
… and hopefully, the God of Forgiveness will be with us,
encouraging us with strength, peace, and love. (May Holy Forgiveness be with us)
… so that “when life hits”
we have a sense
that we are not alone.
Amen. So be it. Amen.
This prayer can be adapted for personal use by using the word “me” or “you” in place of “us”
St. Patrick’s Day (March 17th) is a day that brings forth the ‘wearing of the green’, stories of leprechauns and shamrocks, wonderful Irish music, and gentle reminders of Celtic spirituality in many parts of the world.
Celtic spirituality transcends institutionalized religion and encourages people to consider aspects of the essence of life … like sleep. But sleep can be the elusive pimpernel of the night for many.
Night time, for many, seems to be a time when … minds seem to worry more … pain seems to hurt more acutely … grief seems to be more intense … fear seems to escalate
Many have been, are, experiencing sleepless nights.
– When COVID spread its tentacles in every continent, countless people became isolated, got sick, died. Anxiety grew as new strains of the virus emerged. Vaccines weren’t available to all people. And growing numbers of people refused to get vaccinated.
_ Increased concern about climate change has brought dramatic discussions about climate-refugees.
– A growing number of countries around the world continue to live in unbelievable conflict and the rest of the world holds its breath, fearful about the possibility of biological and nuclear warfare being unleashed.
– As prices rise due to tariffs, countless are deeply concerned about their savings, health care for themselves/their families, and fear about the future if democracy coming to an end.
– People “take sides,” alienating people in neighbourhoods, worship, work, community groups/organizations, families.
Worry, stress and global tension are having a serious negative effect on sleep patterns.
We need sleep – good sleep.
On St. Patrick’s Day, the Ancient Celtic Prayer for Peace and Sleep seems to be most fitting. It is a prayer. It is a wish. It is a hope. It is a need.
May this night, and all nights to come, be blessed with sleep and safety for this world and may this ancient prayer bring a gentle night of sleep for us all.
THE ANCIENT PRAYER FOR PEACE AND SLEEP May the peace of the tallest mountain, and the peace of the smallest stone be our peace. May the stillness of the stars watch over us. And may the everlasting music of the wave lull us to rest. Amen. So be it. Amen.
*********** Calligraphy: George Simpson Poet: unknown member of a Celtic spirituality community. Many Celtic prayers, including those for sleep and protection, originate from oral traditions and were later compiled in collections like “The Carmina Gadelica”, a 19th-century collection of Gaelic prayers, hymns, and blessings compiled by Alexander Carmichael. Zentangled Shamrocks: are part of a series of zentangled images for my indoor seasonal tree. January had stars for Epiphany; February had hearts for Valentine’s Day; March has shamrocks for St. Patrick’s Day; April will have butterflies for Easter – and the fun will continue as I remember to play and create in some way, in spite of DJT and the evil wrought by him and his minions.
“May the road rise to meet you. May the wind be always at your back.” Traditional Irish Blessing
“I’m scared – afraid – terrified. J’ai peur.” These are words the world is hearing every day on the news, around the office, on social media, in our own heads.
For centuries throughout the world, there have been hurricanes, landslides, earthquakes, tornadoes, floods, fires, etc. that have struck fear in the hearts of people.
Cancer, Covid and other medical diagnoses have shaken and continue to shake people to the core.
The January 6th attack on the capitol of the U.S. terrified people who thought that civil unrest would be followed by civil war – or maybe WW111.
The unimaginable earthquakes killing over thousands of people are soul-wrenching and foreboding for those living on earthquake faults.
The Chinese balloon and unknown object that were shot down over the U.S., sparked frightening images of espionage and evoked the fear that nothing is private anymore.
Russia’s ongoing assault on the people of Ukraine, a daily reminder that if Ukraine falls, other countries will not be safe and neither will democracy.
The bombing of Iran by the US and Israel … the killing of the children/staff at the Iranian school … the killing of sailors in international waters … the death of US armed forces following orders in Iran …
And then there’s DJT, JDV, EM, the minions of Project 2025 and the daily decisions made and the horrifying consequences paid by others who have done nothing wrong except … looked different … spoke with an accent … were in the wrong place at the wrong time … somehow got onto a ‘list’ … didn’t vote the way DJT wanted them to vote …
Anxiety seems unrelating and fear is rising. Feelings of helplessness, abandonment, and lack of control overwhelm. Breathing becomes shallow. Hearts race. Minds won’t stop thinking.
Images seem everpresent: images of the children; the elderly; the disabled; the farewells; the frigid weather; the explosions; the baby buggies at the train station; the line-ups for food and water; the babies born in bomb shelters; the demolished hospitals / schools / churches; the bodies; the families running to escape the fires … the images haven’t stopped. Neither has the fear.
What to do in the midst of experiencing fear that is “gut-wrenching / can’t explain / keep-me-awake” type of fear that is being felt as the horror of evil surfaces and spreads? What to do if God seems absent? Is there anything we can do to allay the fear, or at least not have such fear so present all the time?
Perhaps there is … sometimes. And sometimes is often the only thing to hang on to.
Sometimes – admitting our fear to ourself, to another … helps. Admitting our fear can help move the darkness out and bring healing.
Sometimes – naming the evil … helps. There is power in naming the evil. The man known as Jesus did that … often. Sometimes – something as simple as saying, praying, thinking, whispering the word ‘peace’ as we gently, and slowly, literally inhale a second of peace into our body, mind and spirit – helps.
Sometimes – saying, praying, thinking, whispering the word ‘fear,’ as we literally exhale the consequences of that fear from our body … – helps.
Sometimes – reminding ourselves that though we may be experiencing God as absent, others are experiencing the presence of God in different ways: the selflessness of volunteers and community/social organizations; the plants/shrubs/flowers, the spontaneous laughter of a child; the medical and scientific miracles that continue to emerge and surface; the courage of reporters and journalists who speak the truth in spite of threats of job loss; the indefatigable decisions being made by Judges who are making rulings counter to what is expected by DJT; the peaceful protests …
Sometimes – creating something in the kitchen, garden, shop, studio, on the computer, in our Journal – helps.
Sometimes – repeating Dame Julian of Norwich’s words (“All shall be well. All shall be well. And all manner of thing shall be well”) can help and using our breath to say them: … as we inhale, say / think / whisper / pray / sing “all shall be well” … as we exhale, say / think / whisper / pray / sing “all shall be well”; inhale “and all manner of thing”; exhale “shall be well” – helps
Sometimes – remembering that somewhere in the world, every minute of every day, someone is meditating, inviting peace for other; sitting cross-legged and chanting; saying the Rosary; receiving Communion; reciting the Shema; praying the Daily Office; thinking / sending / praying / whispering good thoughts for the world; holding those experiencing fear in their heart, mind and spirit; thinking a comforting thought – helps
Each of these contribute to an energy force that is more powerful than negativity.
We can admit to saying/thinking “J’ai peur … I’m afraid” when we feel frightened, for when we release the fear in simply acknowledging its presence somehow, it doesn’t have the same power over us as it did before we admitted the fear within us.
Yes, I admit … “J’ai peur … I’m afraid.” But I refuse to let fear stifle my ability to speak out/speak up … I refuse to let fear paralyze me into social isolation … I refuse to let fear stop me from continuing to be informed, knowledgeable about the truth of what is happening … and I refuse to let fear tell me that there is no future.
Welcome Wednesday. You are a gentle reminder to “make time to smell the roses.”
“Make” time not just “take” time but make time to … work at our relationships with cherished family and friends … play and create … be intentional about our health: physical, emotional, intellectual, spiritual … wonder and ponder and be in awe … be aware of the negative effect social media is doing to our body, mind and spirit and disengage from it more than engage with it.
In other words, may we make time this day, this Wednesday to “smell the roses” … of activities that offer joy … of people who encourage hope … of thoughts that bring positive memories … of things that are keeping us alive and active like our breath, vision, hearing, mobility, pumping heart, and other organs and …
Welcome Wednesday. May we find ways to give thanks for this day.
