When do we have permission to "play?"  As adults it's difficult to justify taking a walk, lolling on the beach, and doing the recreative things that are part of living.  As children we knew that if we did our homework and completed our chores it was playtime. 

Sometimes my parents would  make even the work around the house into play. Raking leaves often included jumping into the piles.  Pulling garden weeds could result in an impromptu picnic of ripe raspberries or grapes.  My grandgirls put on music and "rock" while they pick up toys and clothes in their rooms.

There has always been one more thing to do before I could relax, however, as an adult.  A call to make, a memo to draft, accounts to balance, a child to tend to, and those projects that loom "out there" offering us a guilt trip if we don't address them RIGHT NOW!

Imagine having this conversation with yourself each afternoon. 

Did you try really hard?
Yes.

Did you try really, really hard today?
Yes I did.

Well, then,  now it is time to go out and play.

Consider what good might come from listening to that inner child who understands the balance between work and play. 

Are there times when you have worked hard enough? 

When is it appropriate and healthful to set down the tasks and take up  the toys?