Have you ever wondered how a rainforest-minded (g-g-g-gifted) adult defines play/fun? Perhaps, you’ve been told that you’re too serious or too studious. That you need to lighten up, relax and have more fun. Be more spontaneous and less OCD. And you respond: “I AM having fun. I’m READING!” Then, you get that doubting or disapproving pat on the head.
I suspect that you may need help understanding what’s up with that. And you may need help recognizing what constitutes play/fun for you and others like you.
Now I know what you’re thinking. “But I’m not gifted. If I were gifted, I’d be studying string theory for fun and inventing the next electric car or doing something else that’s terribly amazing.”
I hear you. Keep reading.
Here are examples of play/fun from my rainforest-minded clients and friends:
Build a labyrinth in your backyard, read everything ever written on sacred geometry, follow the NASA channel on your iPhone, read the thesaurus, wander aimlessly in nature, research random curiosities, gasp at an ocean sunset, learn lots of stuff, create, notice how light changes at dusk, solve a perplexing problem, analyze your dreams, watch back-to-back episodes of Dr. Who, study string theory.
To name a few.
Then again, some rainforest-minded adults experience play/fun as– any creative endeavor. Painting, cooking, sewing, singing or flower arranging, for example. Or, play/fun is, in general, creating beauty. Making new connections. Or it may even be gazing at beauty.
So what do you think? Does this describe you?
What ever play/fun is for you, I’ll bet it’s deep, analytical, layered or complex. Unique and sensitive. Chances are you look below the surface. You search for back stories and biases. Paradoxes and peculiarities. Your version of play/fun may not match that of your relatives, neighbors or friends.
You may be like my 20-something client who is studying anthropology in grad school. She told me that her mother suggested she take a month off from her studies to play at the beach. Her response: “That would be the worst thing ever. I am playing. It just doesn’t look like it. I need to follow my own rabbit trails. That’s where I find my joy.” She loves learning. That’s her play. That’s her fun.
You, too?
I thought so.
The next time someone tells you to lighten up, play and have more fun: Smile. Pat them on the head. And get back to your books, your beauty and your random curiosities.
___________________________________
Note to blogEEs:
Have I mentioned how grateful I am that you’re following my blog?
Just so you know, whenever I refer to clients in a post, it’s with permission. I carefully avoid any identifying information. And one more thing. When I mention love of learning, it’s not the same as love of schooling.
Photos via Creative Commons:
https://www.flickr.com/x/t/0098009/photos/martinaphotography/9441239472/
https://www.flickr.com/x/t/0096009/photos/jeffpang/8065614670/
This blog is part of the Hoagies’ Gifted Education Page Blog Hop. To read more blogs in this hop, visit http://www.hoagiesgifted.org/blog_hop_gifted_at_play.htm
Leave a Reply