photo by Obsessive Compulsive Photographer on Flikr.

At what age did we stop dressing up like our favorite characters? At what age did we stop dreaming of being a ballarina, superhero, or our favorite animal?

As my daughter moves from favorite outfit or theme of the week {usually something pink} to the next, it makes my mind begin to churn.

I wonder, when did getting to work become more important than imagination?

I used to spend moments in the woods. Walking alone. Looking. Daydreaming. I daydreamed all the time. I pretended. I imagined. I wrote poetry. I drew daily. Back in the day, I just spent time, well, spending time. With no goal in mind. With no pressure to perform.

Maybe that’s why kids put off cleaning their room until the last possible moment. It’s not just to drive us crazy {well, maybe a little}, but so they can spend their time dreaming and playing. Do they live their lives by a different standard? A standard that play is more important than the to-do list. I keep wondering, at what ages does that change?

As an adult, we seem to live by the clock. The have-to list. The must-get-done. Why do we not value adults who dream and play and pretend? They get called things like… unfocused,  screw-ups, and non-conformists. They are the ones the adults point to and say, “See, don’t be like that. You should make something of your life.”

Yet, my most wonderful, creative, and authentic ideas come from time spent doing…nothing. From being in nature. Playing. Being.

I read a book about DaVinci with my art group. He professed that most of working was….not working. That time just being was time to reflect, be creative, and generate the most wonderful of ideas. But our society values productivity. Making money. Keeping up with…some imaginary perfect standard.

When I make things, others say…”how do you have time to do that?” My thought is…how can I not? I am not whole unless I am creatively inspired. But sometimes the well runs dry and I need to recharge and feel inspired. The only way to do this is to turn to play. Pretend. Just Be.

So today. This lazy Sunday. I am dedicating it to just playing. So leave the dishes in the sink or put down that to do list. Just pretend and play.