Playfulli

I don't just talk about play as something to make us feel good.

I encourage play to being forth (and work with) what a friend and I discussed today as "ancestral rage".

Today Elon Musk become the world's first trillionaire - while the average American family has lost $3100 since Trump's second term (due to additional spending on groceries, household needs, etc). (See Aaron Parnas' post for more info) Not to mention homelessness, starvation, ...racism, patriarchy, hatred toward LGBTQ+, etc.

Play is *thinking creatively*. It's a way of not losing our f'in minds at this information, but also a way of being with it so we don't stuff it down and ignore it.

Play is a way of exploring what might be possible to fix this horrifically toxic system (or systems), starting the only way you can: with your own mind and actions.

Play ain't just pretty. It's a priority we need to recognize.

(Photo by .visions )

Happy International Day of Play!

PSSST: PLAY IS FOR ADULTS, TOO. (It just *looks* a little different in adulthood)

"Play" is who we are, our very nature. We are curious and creative beings. We've simply forgotten...

Remembering this isn't just about feeling better. (But even if it was, wouldn't that be enough?!)

Remembering play (curiosity, creativity, freedom to be and to express, friendly engagement with others...) is deeply important for your health (reducing levels of stress), for your work (improves neuronal connections & new thinking), and for our community (improving embodied understanding of diverse perspectives).

The research is there, but it's the FEELINGS that are the most important.

Go try a little skip, crawl, 2 minutes of laughter, making funny faces, playing with crayons, tag with a friend, or rock,paper,scissors with the sales clerk.

On your mark, get set, ....GO.

Happy Pride month! May we remember that there are indeed so many ways to be human, and that all ways are valid and deserving of love and respect.

May we also remember that Pride started with a riot - a fight to be recognized and treated as worthy.

Cheers to my fellow qu**rs (+ allies).

I'm thrilled to announce that I've been invited to be an advisor for Let's Play America, a nonprofit based in Takoma Park, MD, that focuses on building community through play. (Learn more about LPA at letsplayamerica.org )

I'm working on local talks and experiential events to bring awareness to PLAY right here in Bloomington, and going to be here and there with my camera documenting every moment to ensure we REMEMBER and REMIND ourselves of it when the job calls and laundry piles up.

Play is an attitude, a perspective, dear one. Try it on today.

Just a few of the founding members of the Bloomington Rainbow Leadership Network (part of the The Greater Bloomington Chamber of Commerce). Our inaugural event a few weeks ago was a tremendous success, and we are grateful to all that helped make it happen and those who showed up to attend!

[We are in need of further sponsorship to keep this venture going. I know it's a horrible time to be asking for money, but if you - or your employer - are able to do so, please message me!]

This is just one of the journeys I'm HONORED to be taking right now.

Photography is never just about a person, a camera, and a subject. It's about the intention behind the process (for everyone involved). I'm building that intention, one community connection and one impact at a time.

Random heads up: IF YOU HAVE PHOTO GALLERIES with me,

please note that the url is now PLAYFULLI.smugmug.com instead of BEINGBREATH.smugmug.com .

All of the links remain the same EXCEPT for the name before "smugmug".

I know this is going to create a bit of a headache, but unfortunately I needed to do it at some point and better now than later.

Message me if you are having any troubles!

Play is for HUMANS, not just for children.

Play is a perspective, an attitude, a feeling. It is curiosity, FREEDOM, and creativity in action.

Do not deny yourself these benefits, no matter your age.

I'm looking for a location and would LOVE your help.

I'm just going to be straightforward this morning.

➡️It's a location in Bloomington, IN that has space for 15-20 people. Ah, but not just people - zorbs and other toys. (Zorb = huge (4-5ft) plastic ball that you wear. Google it for a giggle.) So a large play space.

➡️It is free, low-cost, or available for trade (gorgeous photos in exchange for the space).

➡️It is (or could be) semi-private.

There are other desires, but if I can find that, I'm sold.

Do YOU have that space and could support this mysterious venture? Do you KNOW of a space? Please let me know!

[The universe is giving me ALL KINDS of signs that what I'm dreaming needs to happen sooner than later - as in 4-6 weeks. The location is the biggest challenge. I'm EXCITED to share more once I have that secured!!]