#playiswork

A few years ago, I stopped reading fiction. Because it wasn't "productive." At first it was pushed back for other "more important" things (this was around the time I started college and was flooded with engineering homework). But over time I started seeing fiction-reading as something not-worth-doing. Only this past year have I realized how sad this is - how sad it's making me - because growing up some of my favorite times were times spent with books. (ahem #potterhead) This hyper-pragmatic mentality had crept into so many other areas of my life. I started telling myself that everything I do needed to be FOR something. Purposeful. Productive. It's like I'd forgotten to have fun. To play: to do something simply for the sake of it being enjoyable. It's weird that I'm actively working to allow fun in my life. It seems like something that should come naturally. But I think somewhere along the way I forgot that play IS important. Just as important as work. I'm currently on the third book of the Expanse series and so happy to be making time for my old love of reading. For no reason other than it makes my heart happy. THAT is its "usefulness." Hope you're having a lovely Sunday. Give yourself permission to do something just for the joy of it. ✨ #workhardplayharder #designedlife #designyourmind #playiswork #happinessproject #engineerproblems #mindfulness #bookworm #expanse #kindle (at Columbia , South Carolina)

CAN WORK BE PLAY? CAN PLAY BE WORK? #WorkisPlay #PlayisWork #ProblemSolving #LifeDiscovery #HideandSeek #ForestofChouChou #garybaseman #baseman A BEAUTIFUL DAY TO GET OUT AND CREATE!

The trains are parked and the people and animals are asleep in the dollhouse. #arrangedbychildren #playiswork #childrenslibrarianlife

"I want to make this game very challenging." He was very tired when he did this. Usually I would be harried about sending him to bed early. Today however I told him gently he has only time to drink a smoothie for dinner and he accepted it without any fuss. After the smoothie there was a bit of time. I was both surprised and impressed by how carefully he set this up. I had to stand on the opposite end from him to throw a tennis ball and knock down the cones that were within that fortress. It even had overhead barriers. It is so pleasing to see child focus on his work. #playiswork #tellthewholestory (at 在家里！)

Got my brushes out! #painting #paint #paintbrushes #art #workisplay #playiswork #wallcandy