It’s All Meant To Be Play

Poems From The Porch

The capitalist context of productivity and worth-through-doing

is so insidious that we don’t easily recognize the fishbowl we’re in.

Even what it means to be a productive member of society is defined by this agenda.

There is a related narrative I often hear

about what God wants us to do with our lives,

as if our presence on this planet is related to accomplishment.

We buy into the idea that our value is determined by our deeds.

I am intrigued by the bible story of the talents

and how celebrating one’s talents opens the door to joy

and yielding to fear buries them,

closing the coffin on vitality.

The lesson to be learned is told in a punitive way

and as a not-so-veiled threat.

Yet, the point as I see it,

is that embracing our talents

— — being whom we love to be, whether while creating, enjoying relationships, or opening to life in this moment— —

brings abundant joy and is unrelated to any outcome.

Only our production-minded paradigm separates our lives into work and play.

The simple truth is hidden by a society that measures value by output

and is also obscured by the conditioned commentary that hypnotizes an individual into trying to figure out what they are supposed to do,

as if life is about some grand gesture;

or put another way, that God sent us all here to do something.

The simple gift of each one’s unique presence in the world goes unacknowledged.

What if the intended design is entirely different?

What if this life opportunity, as Spanish mystic, Teresa of Avila, proposed,

is, “To do what best awakens you to love,”

and so to be completely free?

Leave the fishbowl, precious one.

The container is confining and illusory.

When you do, you will discover the joy of flight.