Positive Playfullness

Embracing Your Inner Child

Unleashing the Joy of Positive Playfullness

By Chris Dunmire | Posted 11/30/24 | Updated Updated 1/13/25

"Every great journey begins with a single step." —Maya Angelou

Blanketed by the brouhaha of everyday living, it's easy to lose touch with the simple pleasures of life. But what if there was a way to rekindle the spirit of joy and playfulness that we once had as children?

Welcome to the Positive Playfullness approach to living, a transformative method that begins with embracing your inner child. Let's explore the first vital step towards leading a more fulfilling, joyful life.

Recall the carefree days of childhood, when the world was your playground, and laughter echoed through the air. That youthful spirit still resides within you, and it's time to reconnect with it. By embracing your inner child, you unlock a world of boundless energy, creativity, and, most importantly, playfulness.

Just Like Riding a Bike

My earliest carefree childhood memories began when I hopped onto my first bicycle, a green Schwinn Breeze my mom picked up at a garage sale. I still remember the day the training wheels came off: I was six years old and my big brother gave me a swift push to get me going. After tipping over and dusting myself off a few times, I got my balance and my bike transformed into a magic carpet. From the outside I was pedaling past the houses on my block, but inside of my imagination I was flying to castles of freedom.

Here are some ways to embrace your inner child:

Rediscover the simple pleasures

Make time for activities that brought you joy as a child, such as blowing bubbles, skipping stones, or coloring. These simple acts can help you tap into the playful side of your personality.

Be curious

Children are naturally curious and eager to learn. Cultivate a sense of wonder by exploring new hobbies, asking questions, and seeking knowledge in the world around you.

Express yourself

As kids, we didn't shy away from sharing our thoughts and feelings. Channel that self-expression through writing, art, music, or any medium that resonates with you.

Spend time with children

Observe the way children interact with the world and take note of their infectious laughter, boundless imagination, and willingness to take risks.

Be open to new experiences

Children are brave adventurers, unafraid of stepping outside their comfort zones. Embrace new experiences and be open to the unexpected.

By embracing your inner child and integrating these practices into your daily life, you're well on your way to mastering the Positive Playfulness approach to living. Remember, the journey towards a more joyful existence begins with a single step, so why not take it today?

"A Single Step Needs Two Feet; Otherwise It's a Hop." —funmire

If you're wondering why there are two L's in the Playfullness of "Positive Playfullness" it's an emphasis on FULLness, duality, and balance. Think of a loaded see-saw. Plus, the double-L looks like a pair of feet tromping about, which brings us to the topic of "taking small steps" and some of the most famous words about steps you'll ever read, starting with Maya Angelou's upstream quote. Here's some others:

"The journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step." —Lao Tzu:
"One step at a time is good walking." —Chinese proverb
"One small step for man, one giant leap for mankind." —Neil Armstrong
"It's not the size of the step you take; it's the fact that you take it." —Unknown
Small steps repeated over and over create the mental circuitry that makes creativity a habit even after the enthusiasm that fuel initial action wanes. &mdashJill Badonsky / Marge Muse
More "Small Steps"

These wise words all emphasize the importance of taking action, even if it may seem small or insignificant at the time. They suggest that progress is made one step at a time, and that even a single step can lead to great things.

Chris Dunmire is the instigator of the life-affirming Positive Playfullness approach to living.