I read a reflection the other day about laughing at oneself and reconnecting to the playfulness of childhood. The writer recommended playing with abandon: sliding down slides, swinging on swings, skipping down the street. I went for a walk that morning and wanted to take his advice, but first I had to check all around to be sure there was no one watching, no other pedestrians or drivers. I don’t want to look foolish, you know. I did, finally, skip a little. I was a little awkward and was out of breath before long, but it was freeing. The image of a sixty-something woman skipping down the road is just too funny. Next time I will let go of caring what others think. I’ve got to take myself much less seriously. Somehow, having a friend who will act child-like with me is all it takes.

Unless you become as little children…

swinging