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By Edie Weinstein-Moser

Today, I had the wondrous experience of ‘lila’ (pronounced lee-la) which in the Hindu tradition is translated as ‘play’. One of my favorite play-buddies is my friend Peter. He and I have been teaching together for nearly four years. Hard to imagine that a 47 year old and 51 year old can earn part of our living by teaching kids in grown-up suits how to just have fun. By most people’s observation, neither of us looks our age. Could be because on the inside, we just aren’t. Like all of you, we are ageless. A few months ago, we were invited to offer our workshop entitled “Happiness Is Just The Icing, Joy Is The Cake” at a conference for early childhood educators. Peter happens to fit that category as his Music Experience For Young Children, travels to day care centers and pre-schools singing, dancing, drumming and reading with little ones. He is also a singer-songwriter who performs in concert. I joke with him that his groupies are usually under four years old and under four feet tall. That’s what keeps this father of four whose oldest is almost 26, looking youthful. Not sure if in my case, good genes play a role or maybe attitude IS everything.

I eagerly anticipated the opportunity to see just how free and open these teachers who work with munchkins ranging from ages two to four could be. I was delighted to discover that this afternoon.

But first, I had to fulfill my more ‘serious’ obligation at my ‘full time salary and benefits gig’ as a social worker in a psychiatric hospital. Went in this morning, handled details of discharge for a few patients and did a couple’s counseling session, before heading out the door to the presentation. I checked the address, thought I knew where I was going, only to find that I wasn’t as certain as I initially imagined. Kept driving in circles, a bit concerned about being late. Breathed, asked the AGS (angelic guidance system) and a gentleman at the local post office who may indeed have been an angel himself. Got back on track and pulled into the parking lot, hyperventilating a bit as I hauled the bag of handouts and props toward the building. It wasn’t too terribly heavy, because some of the items were feathers which I give out at all of my workshops as a reminder to participants to lighten up, telling them that it can be used “to tickle your fancy, or whatever else you have in mind.” I was halted in my tracks at the sight of another reminder to lighten up and just play. It was an iridescently glowing green plastic child with the word ‘SLOW’ written across him. Deep breath, smile and pause before entering the building.

For two hours, sixteen participants laughed, cried, shared, danced, sang, listened to and supported each other through pure play. We invited them at the onset to fully engage themselves in the process, telling them that life is like the hokey pokey. It’s more fun if you put your whole self in. The afternoon flowed effortlessly, as does anything that you love as much as we love doing this work. Row-row-row your boat, side by side with Ella Fitzgerald belting out: “It don’t mean a thing if you ain’t got that swing.” as Peter encouraged us to trying ‘scatting’ along with her. He taught us a silly participatory song that involved “thumbs up, elbows back, feet apart, knees together, bottoms up, tongues out and eyes closed.” Got it? He will be challenging 800 or so participants at a larger conference later this month to join in. Heck, it could be the start of a revolution.

When was the last time you really allowed yourself to engage in ‘lila’, not in the presence of a chronological child? So many of us have restrictions on when play is acceptable and in whose company. It’s the recriminating voice in our heads; as my friend Michael Buck refers to it, as the ‘drunken monkey’, the inner critic that wags its finger at us, reminding us not be frivolous or waste time. Play is as nourishing for our souls as food is for our bodies. Without it, we shrivel up inside and age rapidly on the outside. Most of the seniors I know are phenomenal role models for vibrance because they haven’t forgotten how to play. My parents and Peter’s mom are among them. My friends Gary and Denny who lead Spirit Dance gatherings are in that ageless fold. My Aunt Kate who died when I was in college was an amazing role model for enlightened lila. My last clear memory of her was on New Year’s Day circa 1980. Friends and I had gone to her apartment to warm up after nearly freezing our butts off watching the Mummer’s Parade. When we walked in, there was this eighty-something year old woman, in skirt, blouse and stocking feet doing the Mummers strut in front of the tv as she enjoyed the parade.

Who are your role models that entice you to play? Wouldn’t it be cool to be that for someone else? What would it take for you to step out of your comfort zones and just dive in heart-first? My goal for myself is to leave the drunken monkey at home, munching on bananas, as I dance out into the world, ‘true colors shining through’ as sings Cindy Lauper, the sometimes kool-aid hair colored poster child of a ‘girl just wantin’ to have fun.’

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