While walking on the beach today, a little boy—maybe 6 years old—came sprinting past me, dressed more for his first day of school than he was the California coast, and headed straight for the water.
He was challenging the crashing waves to catch him as he followed the retreating water along the sand until the next wave came rushing in and up the shoreline.
It wasn’t long after that I caught a glimpse of him again and he was down to shorts only. His grandparents were carrying his shoes, socks, shirt, and all of the cares he had for his belongings. All so that he could simply play… and challenge… and be.
If you’re having a hard time being playful and having fun and letting go, maybe try going somewhere that pulls it out of you. If it feels forced—like you’re trying to push against a heavy resistance—it might not be you as much as it is the environment you’re in.