5-26-02, Sunday Journal

In my journal of this date in 1988 I wrote, "When we pursue friendship, it often eludes us. When we pursue our interests, friendships follow."

It's the old story about chasing the butterfly of happiness and never catching it, then sitting quietly and being surprised when it comes to rest on your shoulder.

But it's much more. Until we pursue our interests, we seldom find persons compatible with us. Lots of people hunt a friend or lover in a bar. You're not likely to find anything there except a drinker, or someone who likes to shoot pool. Shooting pool may be a good activity but it's not usually something you build a good long-term relationship around.

It takes years for some of us to find the courage to pursue our interests. We are either afraid of failure or feel unworthy of success. But when we finally do, we are always going to meet some people we will resonate with quickly. Soul brothers and sisters.

PLAYFULNESS AS A HEALER

In 1990, I wrote about the healing power of playfulness. That may sound strange but how can you have faith (another word for confidence) when you are uptight?

One thing that has drawn me to the study of Zen is the playfulness that weaves itself through their practices. One of my favorite books is "Crazy Wisdom." I cannot read it without many hearty laughs.

And don't your recall something from the Old Testament about a merry heart being like a medicine?

Being playful squirts endorphins and dopamines into your bloodstream. Those substances are powerful healers. Not to mention unwinding knots throughout your body.

Most of our ills have their origin in the attitude. Some go so far as to say illness is just the outworking of attitudes. Such facts can be over-applied but there is much truth in this on

So when you need healing, don't just pray. Play.

-30-

Return to Current IPS Features

Return to Catalogue