I had a preview of the Lenten 2015 series that the Society of St. John the Evangelist (SSJE) will be doing on Time: STOP, PRAY, WORK, PLAY, LOVE. This video and discussion series starts February 18 for 5 weeks. I encourage everyone to view the introductory video and sign up at this link to receive the daily 2-3 minute video via email. I’ll also be posting it each morning on my FACEBOOK, TWITTER and LINKEDIn profiles starting on Ash Wednesday.

Brother Geoffrey Tristram hosted a workshop last Saturday in Boston on THE HOLINESS OF TIME. He previewed the Lenten series and also gave practical advice on how to effectively make space in our lives. On the plane ride home, I began thinking about PLAY in my life.

Brother Tristram reminded us how as children, we would play for hours at climbing trees or riding bikes without goals or competition of any kind. As evidenced by young children, they can be in “awe” of one thing for a long time, examining it carefully from all aspects and angles. Brother Tristram shared that Christ reminds us in Matthew 18:3, "Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.

In my adult world, I can’t play all the time, but I do need to be more intentional about my “playtime” with no goals, competition, or actions to achieve. For me, “playtime” is my photography, golf, bike-riding and playing with my dog, Rachel.

All these activities could slither over to “work” if I were a professional photographer, golfed competitively, road in bike races, or showed my miniature dachshund in dog shows. But for me, all these activities are just fun. I bought a DSLR camera that I will never fully understand, I’ll never play golf as good as I did in college, and I just ride my bike to be out in the fresh air. Rachel doesn’t like to chase a ball anymore, but she sure does enjoy our walks (and she deserves more of them).

Brother Tristram suggested that we “PLAY” at least once every week at something we enjoy just for the fun of it, with no goals, objectives or competition. Starting today, at least once per week, I plan to shoot some photos, play golf, or ride my bike. I plan to take Rachel to new places to walk rather than just the quick, hurried walks we usually take in the neighborhood.

How do you PLAY? Can you plan time at least once per week to just have some fun?

Reminder: Sign up for the video/discussion with SSJE at this link.

(Use #SSJETIME when posting comments.)

Blessings,
Agatha