by LuAnn Cibik, Interior Alignment® Master Educator, Soul Coaching® Advanced Trainer, Master Oracle Card Reader
We have lots of birdfeeders. That’s kind of a misnomer, as it’s more like an all you can eat buffet for the outdoor neighbors. Birds of all kinds (including turkeys), bunnies, mice, deer, chipmunks and squirrels all feast here. I’m lucky enough to see the customers at the buffet. And I have learned a lot about wildlife and their not so serious approach to life.
We know our pets like to play. They have favorite toys or games that they like us to play with them. I used to think ‘ah – of course! They have time to play as everything they need is supplied – food, water, shelter’. In some ways, I used to be jealous of them, with play as their sole ‘thing to do’. I compared it to my life, I am the person whodoesn’t have time to play with them because I have to work; to pay for the food, water and shelter. (A bit of a martyr syndrome here… does it sound familiar?)
Then, I watched the wildlife…and I learned something big. I learned that even creatures that have to ‘earn a living’, made time to play. Deer play amazing games of catch-me-if-you-can and not always with other deer. I have seen them play this with cats and rabbits. They also eat, then find a nice place like under a pine tree to curl up and take a nap. Squirrels, known for their busy-ness with gathering supplies for winter, also take the time to play as well. It’s not an all-work attitude! Watching their acrobatics from tree to tree (or bird feeder to bird feeder) they love to test themselves! They also play with objects left outside, like corn cobs or tennis balls. They still get all their work done. Yet, they take those moments to just do things for the pure joy of it.
How can you inject playful joy into your life, and still do what you need to do?
Simple… think of three things that feel playful to you, and then make sure the toys/tools for this are handy! I have always had a serious love of colored Sharpies®. Coloring is a prime play activity for me. Back when I worked in the corporate world, using different colored markers in meeting notes was not only useful (such as all my action items in red), but felt like I was coloring… during ‘work time’. (And, yes, the occasional tiny cartoon character Unicorn would appear in the notes.) I have my childhood Barbie on my bookshelf, and a Stuffed animal Unicorn too.
It doesn’t always require a thing… just a mindset. At your next break, put on a song and do a little dance in the break room. If you work from home, you have more flexibility in how you allow play to weave into life. Don’t just scroll social media for play… do something that moves your body. Work on a LEGO, play ‘The Floor is Lava’, or toss the ball with your dog.
Can you ‘feng shui’ for play? Yes, you can! Placing toys or other playful objects in your workspace, can shift that mindset. Especially consider having a cute toy or toy in your bedroom, where you can be reminded every morning and evening that life should include play! Put your favorite dance tunes as background music in your home. Choose some artwork of people dancing or playing. Hang some of your own artistic creative and playful pieces. I had a Soul Coaching® client hang her coloring book artwork in frames in her home office, to remind her to play more. Not only did she love seeing her art, but it worked! She found more ways to work coloring into her day. More importantly she reported that work life was not as stressful, and life seemed more joyful!
Play is a part of nature. We are the most balanced when we live according to nature.
Be a squirrel!
How are you going to play today? Shoot me an email and let me know! Luann@inner-harmony.org
LuAnn Cibik, Interior Alignment® Master Educator, Soul Coaching® Advanced Trainer
“I am delighted to connect with you here in The Linn Academy. I love being a part of this community and all the wonderful people I get to work with as clients and students of Interior Alignment(R) and Soul Coaching(R). I teach programs in feng shui, space clearing, rocks, color, and so much more! I also offer certification in Forest Therapy, and House Acupuncture.
I believe so much in the power of community, I am honored to host an amazing online community called Enchanted Living, with both recorded lectures and weekly live ZOOM gatherings of just to most amazing souls! If you are looking for that tribe of kind people who live the realms of energy and magic, come join us!
And I am co-teaching a Soul Coaching(R) certification program with the amazing Meadow Linn beginning in April 2024! You can find out more on my website at www.luanncibik.com/events/
You can find out more on my website!”
Vast Vistas!
by Denise Linn, Founder of the Linn Academy Greetings and Happy May Day! I’m delighted that you are here. Every month an oracle card is pulled for the month and for this month the card was Vast Vistas. Thinking about Vast Vistas made me want to share a method that I...
Expand Your Horizons with Altars
by Elizabeth Ferrall, Soul Coaching® Practitioner, Elemental Space Clearing Practitioner “When you step outside of your comfort zone, you will see vast vistas.” Does the thought of that make you feel a little excited? Does it make you feel a little uncomfortable? ...
My Vast Vista to Myself
by Barbara Amrhein-Krug, Soul Coaching® Practitioner When your soul wants to tell you a deep desire, you need the courage to listen to it and let yourself be guided. My heart's desire came true – a qualification with Denise Linn. I had already tried it once in 2000,...
Exploring a Land of Wonder and Connection
by Kerry Dalzotto, Advanced Soul Coaching(R) Practitioner Have you ever found yourself feeling swallowed by the constant buzz of the go, go, go mentality? The seemingly never-ending emails, phone calls, and ever-growing to-do list? This is often how life is in our...
How Your Home Can Attract a Future Filled with Possibilities
by Dorena Kohrs, Interior Alignment® Practitioner, Soul Coaching® Practitioner, Clutter Clearing Practitioner If you want to expand your horizons and look towards your future, then you can use your home to support you. Listen in for 4 tips to ensure your journey...
Passion – Follow Your Bliss!
by Denise Linn, Founder of the Linn Academy When we think of someone who has passion, we think of someone who is confident and who has focused intent, which can be a good thing. But perhaps for many of us, a better strategy is to gently follow your interests. You...
Space Clearing for Passion
by Elizabeth Ferrall, Soul Coaching® Practitioner, Elemental Space Clearing Practitioner For eighteen years I was part of a Passions Group. All women, with a nearly twenty year age span, we got together once a month to discuss and support each other in following our...
Press Play on Passion
by Kyla Tustin, Soul Coaching® Advanced Trainer Do you ever feel like your passion has slipped away, leaving you feeling drained and disconnected? I hear these sentiments all too often with new clients and in workshops: "I'm exhausted, I'm too busy, I don't have time...
The Pursuit of Passion
by Kerry Dalzotto, Advanced Soul Coaching(R) PractitionerRemember when you were a child and would lose yourself in an activity, riding your bike with the local neighbourhood kids or getting out your crayons and creating the most imaginative artwork? You were so...