Life is one big game, so play more.
Often times we forget that we have this one precious, short life.
We get so lost in our external goals, ambitions and quite frankly, ego.
What’s it all for?
If you really sit quietly and think about it, it simply does not matter. None of it does.
We will all die and turn to dust. The Earth as we know it will cease to exist in the next Billion or so years.
And for you critics, even if our work, accomplishments live on we won’t be around to physically enjoy it. And even if our spirits or ghosts on the “other” side, can see the impact of our work and achievements, that also won’t be as fun as phsycially basking in all the glory, accolades and benefits of fame, money, and power.
That being said, I’ve come to realize, we should be having more fun in life and business. We should stay in the present moment and actually enjoy each moment. Life is too short. Just let negative emotions and thought patterns go. They simply won’t matter in the grand scheme of things.
The heaviness of life can be suffocating, stressful and can sometimes bring you to the brink of exhaustion and even worse, suicidal thoughts.
From my own experience, I have driven myself very hard at times.
Afterwards, I ask myself, why should I push myself so hard to where I become stressed out, depressed and sometimes physically ill?
The answer I have found within myself after sitting with this question quietly is I shouldn’t.
I simply shouldn’t. There is no need.
Life is one big adventure and meant to be enjoyed. Yes there are and will be challenges, hardships and tough times, but there really is no need for self inflicted stress or depression or illness.
I then asked myself, “why do we push ourselves so hard and stress so much?”
The answer: ego. Our ego to achieve fame, money, power, love, or whatever.
It is the human condition.
There is a healthy amount of ego but then there is detrimental ego, which is the one we are referring to here.
It is this latter ego that has driven many men and women towards greed, fame, and power.
So what shall we do if not reach for more?
Well, as a father now, I get the most joy from playing with my son.
And the age of 2 he has taught me to just “play”.
Play freely without a care in the world. Just be you, free and do whatever it is that makes you happy or brings you joy.
For example, the other day I was so stressed about how to get more clients for my online personal and skills training business. I was pulling my hair out, exhausted and angry.
However, my son sees me stressing out and he tugs me on my shirt and says “play with me Daddy” (my 4 favorite words). And in his world that means “love me Daddy”.
I shrug him off and say, “hold on baby, Daddy has to work.”
But then I realize, “no I should be playing and I should especially be playing with my son! My work can wait. I need a break anyway.”
So off we went and we had an amazing time. We were running around the house back and forth, jumping off the bed, kicking the soccer ball to each other, shooting the Basketball in our Fisher Price hoop, kicking the football.
We played for 45 minutes straight! It was pure bliss and ecstacy. We both had not a care in the world but enjoying each other’s company and maximizing our joy and pleasure.
In fact, it was quite simply one of my most peaceful yet exhilirating play time/breaks I have ever had.
I was enjoying time with my son, moving my body and playing sports all while not thinking about anything except having fun.
I thought to myself, “this is what life is about. Having fun with people I love the most.”
I understand I am but one man and this is but one man’s experience.
However, I’ve learned to not lose sight of what really matters in life and keep my inflated ego at bay, so that I can live a more enjoyable, free and fulfilling life.
Here’s to playing more.
