“Play is the exultation of the possible.”
(Martin Buber)

One of the things separating mammals from reptiles is the ability to play. Dogs can play fetch, for instance, and even cats can play with a ball of yarn.

Reptiles, on the other hand, are serious creatures, incapable of play (You can’t play fetch with a lizard). Some are even deadly serious, all the time. Perhaps that’s one of the reasons we call evil people “cold-blooded.”

One of the joys of parenting is watching our young children just play. They shed their self-consciousness, let go of any perfectionism, and get lost in the exuberance of the game.

When’s the last time you did the same? Whether on the ground with your kids, or on the court with your friends, or in the bedroom with your spouse? We could all use a little more playfulness in our lives.

Peace begins with pause,