Great post! I like how you describe the process of letting the edges of our self-imposed limits dissolve so that our sensations can expand into pleasure and play. The older I get, the more I notice how people deny themselves eros and joy. It seems so weird that they would do that, a lifetime of self-denial. This is something I’ve been thinking about a lot (I’ve even tried writing about it to try to make sense of it). Thanks for this post. It’s given me much insight. I look forward to reading more of your work.
hi franco! sorry it’s taken so long to get back to you but i wanted to thank you for your comment! i’m so glad you came away with some insights. doesn’t it seem so weird that we deny ourselves pleasure and play?! quite shocking when you start to survey how people live their lives, how disconnected so many are from their innate sense of joy. i’m looking forward to sharing much more about this soon
The cosmic ripple! Yeah, how we arrived at the current philosophy and set of values is rather curious... Why are we here if not to enjoy playing the game? How did we stray so far from the innocence of joy?
I used to think that making a living was living. I spent too many hours not living, but working on things that had no importance for my heart and no value other than the paycheck.
And that makes for a dull utilitarian existence. Y’know?
Life gave me the lessons, and I always longed to me a good student. I must credit my parents too, my mother especially for encouraging me to do work that feels like play.
I couldn’t agree more. Why restrict ourselves with arbitrary feelings like embarrassment, “acting one’s age,” or any other unimportant rules? Learning to break these rules is key to living most authentically and happily, creating amazing art too!
Absolutely! Playfulness is the key to creating with joy and breaking free of what my boyfriend cheekily calls, "the Bukowski syndrome..." the art of suffering for art.
That phrase, "act your own age," has always struck me as strange... I have never felt a particular age, and I venture to guess that if we surveyed a bunch of people, the "feeling" of age would mostly correspond with, like you said, arbitrary judgements and rules, as well as a lack of movement.
I say we all need to run around outside like idiots. a bit more
I was literally just listening to a podcast about how the age of social media has resulted in children playing less — this is a problem because play is essential for the brain!!! And one is never too old for this 🤍
Yes!!! It's what keeps us young! When I first started learning about the importance of play my world was totally blown open. It makes so much sense that in order to keep growing and learning and actually enjoying it, we need to give ourselves opportunities to curiously explore without the pressure that comes along with so much of "adulthood"
Great post! I like how you describe the process of letting the edges of our self-imposed limits dissolve so that our sensations can expand into pleasure and play. The older I get, the more I notice how people deny themselves eros and joy. It seems so weird that they would do that, a lifetime of self-denial. This is something I’ve been thinking about a lot (I’ve even tried writing about it to try to make sense of it). Thanks for this post. It’s given me much insight. I look forward to reading more of your work.
hi franco! sorry it’s taken so long to get back to you but i wanted to thank you for your comment! i’m so glad you came away with some insights. doesn’t it seem so weird that we deny ourselves pleasure and play?! quite shocking when you start to survey how people live their lives, how disconnected so many are from their innate sense of joy. i’m looking forward to sharing much more about this soon
Must be something in the air…
https://substack.com/@mikematzdorff/note/c-55916596?r=3bd6po&utm_medium=ios&utm_source=notes-share-action
The cosmic ripple! Yeah, how we arrived at the current philosophy and set of values is rather curious... Why are we here if not to enjoy playing the game? How did we stray so far from the innocence of joy?
I can answer for me :)
I used to think that making a living was living. I spent too many hours not living, but working on things that had no importance for my heart and no value other than the paycheck.
And that makes for a dull utilitarian existence. Y’know?
ha! yes, that's a pretty familiar narrative. a paycheck alone does not equal aliveness. and waiting for retirement to enjoy life is very very silly.
I'm eternally grateful that I felt the call to be of service and share my passions in my early 20s. My heart feels so full
You’re lucky and smart :)
Life gave me the lessons, and I always longed to me a good student. I must credit my parents too, my mother especially for encouraging me to do work that feels like play.
I couldn’t agree more. Why restrict ourselves with arbitrary feelings like embarrassment, “acting one’s age,” or any other unimportant rules? Learning to break these rules is key to living most authentically and happily, creating amazing art too!
Absolutely! Playfulness is the key to creating with joy and breaking free of what my boyfriend cheekily calls, "the Bukowski syndrome..." the art of suffering for art.
That phrase, "act your own age," has always struck me as strange... I have never felt a particular age, and I venture to guess that if we surveyed a bunch of people, the "feeling" of age would mostly correspond with, like you said, arbitrary judgements and rules, as well as a lack of movement.
I say we all need to run around outside like idiots. a bit more
I was literally just listening to a podcast about how the age of social media has resulted in children playing less — this is a problem because play is essential for the brain!!! And one is never too old for this 🤍
Yes!!! It's what keeps us young! When I first started learning about the importance of play my world was totally blown open. It makes so much sense that in order to keep growing and learning and actually enjoying it, we need to give ourselves opportunities to curiously explore without the pressure that comes along with so much of "adulthood"
Your choice of artwork keeps me coming back. I respect and share your artistic taste, Faye!
Thank you Don, I’m so glad you enjoy it! Finding the right art to complement the message is one of my favorite parts of the process