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[#1]

Most of the things we do in our daily lives have a clear, timely function and purpose. In many cases, we exercise to be healthy and look good. We eat to get fuel and feel fulfilled. We work to make money and to create change in the world. We study to understand — and share our knowledge with others.

And then, there’s play. Quite the opposite. Play doesn’t have rules or deadlines. When the act of doing something is more important than the purpose of doing it, you are playing. Play is gray. Boundless! Imaginative! Surprising! It’s being in the moment.

But today, time is of the essence. We don’t play often because it’s not seen as purposeful. It’s not easy to create space to do nothing over the many somethings on our to-do lists. Busy has become the new black. It’s hard to make left turns, let alone pit stops!

Nothing great is ever easy.. but ironically, play is. It’s innate to us as human beings. Babies are experts at it. They chase what strikes a chord with their heart and they head toward the unknown with open arms. They explore with conviction — and they follow the fun!

We’ve stopped playing because we don’t want to break the rules.

Steve Jobs played. He also changed the world! He dropped out of college, unconvinced that what he was learning in school would be practical in life. He decided to audit a calligraphy class just for pleasure. He was an artist at heart; enamored by the beautiful hand-calligraphy written on posters and signs all around his campus. “I learned about serif and sans-serif typefaces, about varying the amount of space between different letter combinations and about what makes great typography great,” said Steve. “It was beautiful, historical and artistically subtle in a way that science can’t capture, and I found it fascinating.”

Ten years later, calligraphy was designed into the first Mac, making beautiful typefaces part of the personal computer forever and influencing the aesthetic at large of Apple, the world’s most powerful brand.

Stunningly simplistic design struck a chord with Steve — and in his heart, he knew that it would strike a chord with us, too. He headed toward the unknown with open arms, explored with conviction — and followed the fun.

Play changed the world.

So why have we become conditioned to think it’s not purposeful?

Let’s change that. Let’s prioritize play. Gain new perspectives. Uncover passions.

Explore possibilities. Be bold. Dress daringly … and put fun first!

Let’s play, everyday.

Love,
Laurie