Haven't yet contacted Robert to book your next Powerful Play Experience?
Stop that fence sitting and add even more value to your next team building workshop or staff retreat with “The Double Play.” Contact Robert by September 12/08 for the opportunity to play twice for the price of one. That's “The Double Play” Experience!!

Only 2 “Double Play” opportunities are up for grabs so go ahead and make that call. You just may be seeing double when it comes to your next team building workshop or staff retreat. Play dates are scheduled between September 15/08 and December 31/08

If you’ve had a chance to visit a playground lately you’ll no doubt have noticed children gathered in the single-minded pursuit of fun. We sure could learn a lot about our adult selves by observing these kids at play.

A child walks onto a playground and is easily welcomed by the others. There is no judgement, only curiosity and wonder, connection and cooperation. He or she is encouraged, expected even, to take risks, make mistakes, and find creative solutions; to swing higher, climb farther, slide faster, build a bigger sandcastle, and in doing so, giving permission for others to do the same.

There is no hierarchy in play; sometimes you lead, sometimes you follow, sometimes you need a buddy, one person doesn’t always get a push on the swing. The roles are fluid and everybody shares in the experience, thus enhancing the fun, without fretting about how they will fit in to that fun.

There is such a sense of spontaneity, an embracing of uncertainty, the freedom to enjoy the moment. The faces are ever-changing, sandcastles are rebuilt, and new challenges are created even though the equipment remains unchanged.

Children instinctively know how to play for the sheer pleasure of it - the benefits are not calculated. And yet we know that they learn better when they are having fun - they have increased vitality, sleep better, benefit from stress-relief and body-aliveness. And they experience joy.

So, next time you come across a playground, sit for a while and watch. Let the children demonstrate how to bring what we used to know instinctively back into our work and our life. It’s “Powerful”.

Deb Akhurst
Writer Gardener Parent With a Smile

Feedback received from our Powerful Readers was all complimentary regarding this ezine's style and design which, by the way, was well orchestrated by the amazing team at Clever by Design. When you buy services from Clever by Design, you are first and foremost buying services from 2 incredibly creative and approachable professionals, Michelle and Paul La Rue. Together, they inspire trust and respect through the belief that business is personal and based on a relationship that strives to work together on shared, common goals. Check out their work at www.cleverbydesign.ca