September 25, 2010-Peace and Play

     This month, we’ve celebrated both Peace Day and the World Day of Play within our school and community. I think it’s perfect that these events are in the same month because peace and play fit so well together. Let me explain. Tonight, the youth of the atoll put together a full two hours of games and fun for the elementary school children in honor of the “World Day of Play.” It included games called “Four Corners,” “Simon Soldier,” “Cat and Mouse,” “Freeze Dance,” and others which employed running, the use of a parachute, following the leader, and just plan fun for everyone. Even in the rain, the event continued; in fact, for most of the kids, the rain was an extra bonus and highlight.
     As a parent, I was not required to stay as paid staff were there to supervise, but it was as exciting for me to watch as it was for my boys to play. A friend and co-worker of mine, who was there to take pictures for the event, was making her own kind of fun taking silly shots of the kids and staff. She started a new trend, “Bubble Blowing Pictures,” which reminded me of the blog another friend of ours started and titled, “Jumping Pictures Will Save the World.” We decided that we needed to add bubble blowing to that list of peace making and world saving pictures. The point of the jumping and bubble blowing pictures is the fun, laughter, and silliness it invokes in all of us, and how good it makes everyone feel while taking the pictures. We had a blast trying to get shots of ourselves blowing bubbles at just the right time while the kids had fun splashing in puddles and hiding under the parachute all together.
    Play time brings peace and happiness to us all.  If we can have fun, laugh, and be silly together, then there’s no room for fighting, calling names, and general discord.  The seriousness of “war” melts in the face of giggling. What’s the saying? Laughter is the best medicine. Well, I believe it!
     It even works in tense moments with my children when they are feeling irritable, making “mad faces,” and using “ugly words” with me. I simply tickle them, plant a bunch of “fast kisses” right under their ears, or make a crazy joke, and the mad faces dissolve, smirks appear, and laughter ensues. Problem solved! I know it’s a solution that is too straightforward and simple for the larger world out there, but within our small communities and families, if we can promote peace through play, why not? It certainly can’t hurt anything, and a day like today when my nose is stopped up, my head hurts, and I’m so tired I can barely stay standing, a little laughter has certainly been good, good medicine, bringing peace to my troubled thoughts from the work day and peace to my heart by reminding me how much fun life is and how easy it is to find that fun through play, silly picture taking, and laughter.