Swinging. Uneven bars. Merrygoround turnstile rider. Sportsmanship. These are a smattering of examples the "wise ones" gave at the twenty questions conclave. Conclave is probably a bit of a stretch, but the word lends a sense of mystery and provocateur otherwise lost in the word "gathering." Nonetheless, back to the playground.
Of all the answers, given sportsmanship targeted the fundamentals of recess. Sportsmanship encompasses a myriad of skills, that when honed, manifest as kindness, respect, brevity, silence, and generosity. These are just a handful of the skills at play. Skills learned and unlearned during play determine our abilities to form allies, experience trust and dishonesty, push boundaries and question or obey restrictions. The playground creates and forms our most intricate abilities through trial and error without practicality (Esther Perel).
Every child has exuberance that is often labeled spirited. Spirit is alive and well on the playground. I used to be a detective, a doctor, a Charlie's Angel, and a world reknowned acrobat. And I played these parts as if.
When I was young, we had three recesses a day, plus before and after school play time. Ample opportunity to learn and trade skills. Many decades later, my life is a full day of recess. Every day is another day of play. And, although the merrygoround and uneven bars are long gone, outgrown and replaced by power tools and paintbrushes, the opportunities to learn yet another version of sportsmanship always arise.
When I reflect on the most effective of my skills on the playground, creativity and imagination sit on the swings. I push them willingly, and laugh at their jokes. We stay out past dark and up past bed time; giggle in bed, and talk in whispers under the covers. Ever the instigators, these invaluable friends fuel life and feed the desire to pursue. Without them...I shudder. And so the bell rings, and recess sings. Off we run to a place unexplored, full of possibility and endless options. It may look like swings to you, but to me...nirvana.
