What is fun for you? Why is play important? Why is humor important? For me, it is time away from stress, boredom, worries, and always too much to do. This week I am on vacation. Having written weekly blog posts now since January, 2021, I’m giving myself a week off. I am looking back on this earlier post written around that time and offering some tidbits from it. Enjoy!
It is just as important for adults as it is for children to have fun.1 When one enters into the experience of fun, play and the creative state of mind, it is another way to experience flow. However, this method of entering flow, for some of us can be elusive.
Personally, I am pretty sensitive, prone to being introverted and at times overly serious. What has helped me lighten up is focusing on a creative project and not spending too much time watching the news. When I’m in a better mood, I feel more creative. When I am more creative, I feel more light-hearted and excited about the future.
When I’m having fun, my introverted tendencies lessen and I seek more connection with friends and family. Your process will be different from mine. I would love to hear about it!
As a registered Suzuki teacher, I have spent many years and have taken many courses and workshops about how to teach violin students. The basis of the step by step Suzuki method is the embedding of game play with activities that develop focus, musicianship, social engagement, as well as the skills necessary for performing music.
I did not grow up Suzuki but there were definitely aspects of the Suzuki method in my early violin training. My older sister was my first violin teacher. She took violin lessons, created a positive environment conducive to my learning the violin, and she taught me the basics of how to hold the violin and bow and read music.
I don’t really even remember the time in between holding the violin for the first time and arriving at my first lesson with a professional violin teacher. I already could play at an intermediate level. This is always what I hope my students will experience. Before you know it, you can play the violin. All along, you thought you were just playing some games and having fun.
How do you enter into a state of fun and game play? Do you enjoy games and team sports? Do you enjoy being out in nature and playing with animals? Do you enjoy creative projects such as cooking or arts and crafts?
Experts say that “unstructured play… is most important for the beneficial effects on the prefrontal cortex.” It is “something that comes so naturally to large-brained mammals (and birds, according to some authorities).”2 Practice your instrument, attend to your daily chores, eat healthy, pay your bills, get enough sleep, and remember to have some fun!
The Inspiration for Violinists card deck
This “Humor” card is part of a 50 card deck. Every card has a unique image and text inspiring musicianship, mindfulness and spirituality.
- Lawrence Robinson, Melinda Smith, Jeanne Segal, Jennifer Shubin. ‘The benefits of play for adults’ (2020). helpguide.org. (Accessed: February 14, 2021).
- Marc Bekoff. ‘The Importance of Play: Having Fun Must Be Taken Seriously’ (2014). psychologytoday.com. (Accessed: February 14, 2021).