Dear Zoe,
I was just remembering our trip to Jakarta. It was your uncle’s engagement party and we are blessed with the opportunity to stay at a beautiful hotel at the heart of Jakarta city.
Naturally your mom’s days were filled with beauty rituals that took most of the day, so I ended up accompanying you most of the trip. And of course, when I’m with you, I can’t work.
We dipped ourselves in the bathtub, played hangman, swam, joined a scavenger hunt, watched Bluey, and danced to K Pop demon Hunter songs.
It was a tiring day, but I woke up refreshed. To be honest it felt good and I have not felt that way for a long time. As I pondered to what made my day, I realized that it was the time spent playing with you.
As an adult, I bought the society’s lies that you should spend every waking moment doing purposeful activities- activities that contributed something to society or the bottom line. But these activities are usually joyless and it is a little wonder that many adults are walking around with a sullen attitude.
The time spent with you, Zoey, reminded me the importance of retaining a time to play as an adult. Play is purposeless and selfish, but it will bring you joy. What is the point of dancing to KPop Demon Hunter when no one is seeing? What is the point of dipping yourself in a bath tub when you can shower?
None! but I guarantee you that it will make you feel good.
After all as Robert Greene pointed out in his book Mastery, masters of art, science and business are people who possesses the discipline of an adult but retained their childlike spirit.
I hope Zoe that you will not lose your playful spirit.