Work and no Play...

“We don’t stop playing because we grow old; We grow old because we stop playing.”

For as long as  I can remember growing up where I come from meant being sophisticated, owning whatever came your way with your head held high. “To be a young dignified lady” was the mantra we recited after every school assembly at my all girls’ high school.

Many a girl were criticized for not acting their age or being childish and determined not to be in that category I wore my maturity on a sleeve that I attained seriousness in my character. In the years when I should have been exploring and getting away with making stupid mistakes I was instead so busy proving that I had everything in order.

No regrets there  only that now with the numbers quickly crippling up on me and determined to prove the 21^st century slogan that the 20’s are the new 30’s , I have learnt to let my hair down much more often if only to find the  child in me and of course keep that much needed youthful look.

And oh boy isn’t playing so much fun. Yes, I continue to persevere to get whatever I am working for because it is definitely worthwhile but then again I once in a while switch off, take a moment to breathe and jump up and down like I just won the lottery.

Not so long ago, I took time to play a card game with a 7 year old. I forgot my worries, embraced the moment and just gave her my all as I accommodated her questions and all that came with our little conversation that it not only became hilarious but a delightful addition to my day. As I told her to help me wash the dishes she exclaimed on how good the washing liquid was as it removed all the bad people in Greece, startled as to where that came from when I asked her she read to me what it said on the bottle “Ultra Grease Fighting”

And just when I thought I had had as much laugh for the rest of the week, as we did our Bible study at the end of the day , a reading on the 2 sisters Mary and Martha reacting to the death of their brother Lazarus, she asked with a serious face, “how do you know this, where you there?” As I absorbed her question I clearly saw something pure and joyful and as I put my head down that night I felt so light that there was no room for any wrinkles to make their mark on me. On we play…

Happy 8th Birthday Begina Maria xoxo