The Impact of Play
Last weekend we had a wonderful Area workshop, and I realized how important playing is and what a difference it makes in helping people connect and get close.
It was a small workshop, about thirty-five of us, and we started off Friday evening with an impromptu game led by young women of color. At first it was mostly the young adults who were playing, but slowly the older adults started joining the circle and the laughter grew. Eventually the entire workshop was in a circle, all laughing and playing together, which cut through the feelings of isolation and embarrassment that often arise at the beginning of workshops. In the opening circle people were close and creative in answering the questions—influenced, it seems, by the play that had happened right before. What a great way to start a workshop!
Our wonderful leader, Alysia Tate, continued to set the tone for play throughout the workshop. We had balls, frisbees, musical instruments, and other things to throw around and play with. Whenever we had a few minutes between activities, circles of five or ten people appeared—volleying a ball, playing music together, laughing, and bumping up against each other. People were continually drawn to playing together.
The young adults initiated a game on Saturday evening after dinner, and once again the rest of the workshop eventually joined in. We arrived at class refreshed, laughing, and feeling connected.
At the end of the workshop, many people said that the playing was a highlight.
Play is central to connection, getting to have real relationships, and making RC accessible to young people. One of our RC Community goals is to make RC more accessible to young people. I’d love to hear people’s success stories about play, and getting young people involved in RC.
Sharon Wolf
New York, New York, USA
Reprinted from the e-mail discussion
list for RC Community members