The Importance of Play in Life Coaching 

by Eden Divine, Lifestyle Coach, Mastering the Art of Living

Healer and writer, Carolyne Myss, insightfully and humorously shared her father's inability to comprehend what she teaches in her workshops about "Life Purpose."  Like many immigrants before him, Carolyne's father came to America to build a new life for himself and his family. She noted, globally, we are the first generation of people who have the time, the consciousness, and the privilege to ask ourselves the question:

"Am I happy in my work? Is my work in alignment with my values, morals, ethics - body, mind and spirit? 

Carolyne's father would shake his head in amusement because he worked so hard and took what life handed him, gratefully and graciously, but never did he perceive that he had another choice.  Alternatively, the Baby Boom generation has reinvented everything that has crossed its path without apology and without regret, and collectively asks the question, "Am I living a life of Integrity?"  People are waking up all over the planet and asserting, "I'm not gonna take this anymore! I want more than this!  I want a fulfilling life!  I want to love and be loved!  I want to be happy!  I want to live in a peaceful and healthy world!  I want abundance!  I want to have fun!"

Today we glamorize the workaholic, the risk-taking entrepreneur, the single mother, the reality TV show survivor, the celebrity whose life has become a train wreck - all bonded by pain, stress, struggle, and exhaustion. We are addicted to the adrenaline rush and the temporary focus we get from war, working against all odds, danger itself appears to inspire us.  We are sold the paradigm of fanatically pursuing accomplishment and materialism, managing time, debt, stress, and health issues, while relaxing with self-sabotaging outlets like drugs, alcohol, sugar, fatty foods, pharmaceuticals, and television, film, internet and video games glorifying violence.

What really releases stress, what inspires creativity and self-discovery is PLAY!

 - nature, games, sports, travel, spirituality, art, hobbies, collections, service, courtship, romantic love, sexuality, cooking, ideas, concepts, dreams, synchronicities and miracles.  Human play is a refuge from ordinary life - a sanctuary for the soul.   We need to invite play into our life - to invoke play - to create space in our life for play. Play is more that just a relaxing pastime.  Play connects us to our inner child's sense of awe and wonder.  Play connects us to creativity, exploration, and ecstasy.  Play connects us to the dreamer, the imagination mind, the invisible realm, the sacred and the divine.  To devalue this aspect of life is to cheat oneself of a vital element of being alive. 

And what of PLAY, pleasure, dreams and romance? What of the spirit of adventure, exploration, hope, trust, magic and miracles?  We live in a time where these noble qualities have been cast aside as self-indulgent and irresponsible, as a waste of time, as an unproductive use of time, as fruitless, meaningless, as childish escapism. And what of the adult's sense of PLAY? 

When did the pursuit of youth become a quest for the best plastic surgeon? 

What happened to the absolute wonder of ordinary miracles? 

Why did we stop crawling out the window at night to listen to crickets and gaze at the night sky delighting in falling stars? 

Why don't we stop and smell the roses? 

Why do we stray from each other's gaze? 

Why do we pull away when we are touched? 

Why don't we trust one another? 

Why are we afraid of love?

I have learned a great many things in coaching indigo's, artists, athletes, wanderers and healers - the Cultural Creatives.  I have often pondered how flat and lifeless the world would be without the creative expression of artists, writers, singers, dancers, athletes, musicians, filmmakers, architects, inventors, dreamers, adventurers, explorers, mystics, prophets, visionaries, scientists and shaman.  I am always amazed at their ability to create magnificence in the midst of chaos and despair. 

I heard it said once that "Self-help is Old School."  Who has the patience and follow through to work on oneself all by oneself?"  Life Coaching is an ongoing relationship that engages the client by connecting her with her passions and deepest desires and holding her accountable to get the results she wants!  People grow and evolve with a Coach!

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As an Adult Indigo, Certified Empowerment Coach, with a Masters Degree in Spiritual Psychology, MBA, and Law Degree, Eden offers Private Coaching, Group Coaching, Workshops, as well as products in:

LIFE Coaching

Child and Adult Indigos, Teens, Students, Generation X, Baby Boomers, Retirement, and Transitions

LIFESTYLE Coaching

Energy and Nutrition, Exercise and Fitness, Style Makeovers, Play and Adventures, Lifestyle Design

LIFE Mastery

Motivation, Goals and Results, Ideas and Creativity, Time Management and Stress Reduction, Law of Attraction and Life Balancing

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Eden Divine, Life Coaching, Workshops and Products are now available in S. Florida!

Eden can be reached at magikadventure@yahoo.com