You’re Never Too Old to Play

(mouse clicking) (gentle music) Headspace Studios. Hi, welcome to "Radio Headspace." It's Dora. Recently at work, we were having a creative brainstorming session and someone suggested playing the old childhood game "MASH" as an icebreaker. We were all immediately on board. It took us straight back to those carefree school days. As we scribbled down funny scenarios and laughed about the wild futures we imagined, I noticed something special happening. We stopped feeling like responsible adults and became joyful kids again. It's moments like these that remind me our inner child is always there, no matter how grown up we've become. Growing older physically doesn't mean losing the youthful joy inside us. Instead, aging allows us to reconnect with and appreciate life's spontaneous joys even more deeply. This reminds me of a beautiful Buddhist story called "The Child and the Sage." A young boy approached an elderly sage known throughout the village for his wisdom, and asked him, "How old are you?" The sage smiled and gently replied, "My body might be old, but inside, my spirit is as playful and as young as yours." Seeing confusion in the boy's eyes, he continued softly. "Age is merely the story the body tells, but the heart doesn't count years. It counts joy, wonder, and playful moments," and that playful moment of laughter and imagination during our "MASH" brainstorm beautifully echoed the sage's Wisdom, both reminded me that aging isn't about becoming less joyful or vibrant. Rather, it's a gentle reminder to reconnect with the childlike curiosity and joy we often leave behind. Society frequently tells us to act our age, suggesting playfulness belongs only to childhood. Yet, as we grow older, we possess greater wisdom and freedom to intentionally cultivate and protect our joy. We can actively choose playfulness, embracing spontaneous moments that delight and energize our hearts. Think about your own life. Are there playful joys you've quietly let go of, because you felt you had outgrown them? Maybe you used to love drawing, dancing freely or laughing without restraint. What if you reclaim those moments, not despite your age, but because of the wisdom and appreciation your years have gifted you? Recognize that growing older doesn't limit these joyful experiences. It enriches them, allowing you to savor them more fully. Aging brings clarity about life's fleeting nature, heightening the preciousness of every joyful moment. Embracing a youthful spirit isn't about denying your age or changes in your body. It's about discovering joy within your evolving self. It's about giving yourself permission to laugh, play, and wonder as freely as you did when you were young. So for today, I invite you to revisit a joyful activity from your past. Maybe play a silly game, dance in your living room, or simply allow yourself to laugh without inhibition. Feel how ageless and how alive your spirit remains. And celebrate the beautiful truth that as we grow older, we can feel younger, freer, and more vibrant than ever. So make space for...