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Playfulness, Humor and Self-Esteem
by Michael Horemans and Gwendolyn Keith
When was the last time you played, had so much fun you forgot about all your problems
and experienced how beautiful and easy life can be? Play is such a natural attribute
of our soul. It's our soul's desire to be playful. Look at children. They play and
laugh the whole day. Have you ever had a child knock on your door saying, "I
am tired of playing. Can I please come in and clean your bathroom?"
Did you know that children at the age of 4 laugh 400 times a day, but by the time
we are an adult we hardly crack up 15 laughs a day. Play, joy and humor are essential
to feeling good about ourselves. No wonder that two out of three Americans suffer
from low self-esteem. Playing allows us to relax and be in the moment, which is difficult
for most people.
We are afraid to be playful because in early childhood we were told:
• To stop being silly and to grow
up.
• To wipe that smile of your face.
• And who do you think you are?
Playfulness evokes joy and humor
and allows us to gain greater perspective around our so-called "problems."
It releases the good neuro-chemicals called endorphins, natural opiates that make
us feel good. People are drawn to funny movies, stand-up comedy and children. They
bring a smile to our face. When we smile, we send a message to our brain, saying,
"I think I am happy." Playfulness and laughter also provide many health
benefits. It strengthens our immune system and massages the internal organs when
we laugh and play.
Play is a natural way of finding out who we are and what we can be. Play helps us
to create new responses to our life challenges and helps us experience our life as
more of an exciting adventure. Playfulness allows us to try on different characters,
attitudes and personalities. This helps us to explore and expand our possibilities
in life.
From a scientific perspective, the action of play and laughter fires new neurological
pathways in our brain. Research in Alzheimer's disease has revealed new knowledge
in understanding our brain chemistry. Studies have shown that most people get stuck
in life because we keep firing off the same patterns of neurological connections
out of habitual responses to events in our lives. This consequently makes the neuro-connections
stronger and more automatic. We can create new brain chemistry and different neuro-patterns
through play, acting and humor.
Even the chemistry of happiness is a biological reaction set in motion by our predominant
thoughts and actions. Most people try with fruitless efforts to control the emotion
of happiness. Emotions come and go, like the ebb and flow of the ocean.
On the other hand, we do have control of our intention, attention and action, and
we can set the stage for happiness to flow and abide in our daily life. We are each
the director, producer and actor in the movie of our life. Life is a stage, and we
all play many roles in it. So let's explore how to rewrite the script, the play,
the stage and the many intricacies of the life you want to live.
Play to discover how passion and magic can be a part of your daily existence. Play
enhances the building blocks of your self-esteem and increases your connection to
your true essence. When we feel good about ourselves, our happiness is its natural
by-product.
Discover how to laugh and not take yourself so SERIOUSLY!
The authors present a two-day workshop that teach activities and techniques to
break up old stuck patterns and tickle your funny bone. Be prepared for deep belly
laughs! This workshop of laughter and play will take place from 7-9:30 p.m. Monday,
Sept. 22, and Monday, Sept. 29, at the Meta Institute in the Golden Valley Wellness
Center, 5748 Olson Memorial Highway, Golden Valley, Minn. The workshop costs $70
for both days. Space is limited so register early! To register, or for more information,
call Michael at (612) 281-4630, or Gwendolyn at (763) 588-9449, or e-mail keithwings@aol.com,
and write "Play" in the subject line.
Michael Horemans is a Certified Therapeutic Coach, Licensed Massage Therapist and
holds a B.A. in Social Work. He has been using laughter and playfulness for the last
23 years in lectures and workshops in the U.S. and Europe.
Gwendolyn Keith is a Certified Therapeutic Coach, Co-Active Coach and Energy Worker.
She has an M.A. in Human Development and 18 years working in adult empowerment. Her
passion is catalyzing transformation through play, movement and creativity; unleashing
the child within.
Copyright © 2003 Michael Horemans and Gwendolyn Keith
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