On Having Fun

Play

Ping Pong, Basketball, and the Rest

Bernard L. De Koven on October 10, 2017

Where there is play there is poetry, where there is fun there is grace, where there is laughter there is truth.

Where there is play there is poetry, where there is fun there is grace, where there is laughter there is truth.

Aging

We Are Joyous and Playful to the Very End

Bernard L. De Koven on October 9, 2017

Maybe it's possible that if you get good enough at pretending, you can pretend your way to bliss. Real. Genuine. Actual bliss.

Maybe it's possible that if you get good enough at pretending, you can pretend your way to bliss. Real. Genuine. Actual bliss.

Play

Imagination: The Infinite Playground

Bernard L. De Koven on October 4, 2017

Imagination is the infinite playground.

Imagination is the infinite playground.

Play

BIG FUN

Bernard L. De Koven on September 17, 2017

There's a certain kind of fun we call "Big Fun." It's something massive, usually, demonstrably fun, alluring, freeing, even.

There's a certain kind of fun we call "Big Fun." It's something massive, usually, demonstrably fun, alluring, freeing, even.

Flow

Confluence, Unity, and Coliberation

Bernard L. De Koven on August 16, 2017

The experience of confluence is the glue that binds us to a social setting, the promised reward that keeps us seeking each other out. It is not freedom, it is union.

The experience of confluence is the glue that binds us to a social setting, the promised reward that keeps us seeking each other out. It is not freedom, it is union.

Fear

I May Not End As Playfully As Planned

Bernard L. De Koven on August 15, 2017

My body might not be able to keep my soul’s sometimes over-eager promises.

My body might not be able to keep my soul’s sometimes over-eager promises.

Openness

Defining Playfulness

Bernard L. De Koven on August 10, 2017

If you look for playfulness in the young, you will find it. If you join them, you will find it in yourself.

If you look for playfulness in the young, you will find it. If you join them, you will find it in yourself.

Diet

Living, Dying and the Taste of a Good Falafel

Bernard L. De Koven on August 2, 2017

Do you think what thinking about dying (and dying in general) does for you is emphasize how much better living turns out to be?

Do you think what thinking about dying (and dying in general) does for you is emphasize how much better living turns out to be?

Persuasion

L'Chaim

Bernard L. De Koven on August 1, 2017

Yup. With all the joy that song implies, and all the meanings and occasions that toast celebrates: to life. All of it. The beginning of it. The living of it. Even the end of it.

Yup. With all the joy that song implies, and all the meanings and occasions that toast celebrates: to life. All of it. The beginning of it. The living of it. Even the end of it.

Friends

Getting Light

Bernard L. De Koven on July 13, 2017

There's a time when what we most need to let go of are ambitions—ambitions for new accomplishments and ambitions for new possessions.

There's a time when what we most need to let go of are ambitions—ambitions for new accomplishments and ambitions for new possessions.

Play

Silliness, Seriousness, I and Thou

Bernard L. De Koven on June 6, 2017

You have to play in the and to hear the music.

You have to play in the and to hear the music.

Relationships

My Gift for Family and Community

Bernard L. De Koven on May 12, 2017

This swing is exactly the kind of swing I would most like to be remembered with: a swing where parent and child would swing together, facing each other.

This swing is exactly the kind of swing I would most like to be remembered with: a swing where parent and child would swing together, facing each other.

Attention

Rehearsals and Reversals and More Rehearsals

Bernard L. De Koven on May 8, 2017

When, from the very wings of your psyche, you hear your inner thespian, wording and re-wording what next to say

When, from the very wings of your psyche, you hear your inner thespian, wording and re-wording what next to say

Environment

Bubblebags and Baggyballs

Bernard L. De Koven on May 1, 2017

Worried about the environment? Here's a way to make playful use of some of our favorite detritus

Worried about the environment? Here's a way to make playful use of some of our favorite detritus

Play

I Have Cancer and Maybe a Year to Live

Bernard L. De Koven on April 10, 2017

If you want to do something for me or because of me, grieving is not what I need. I need you to play.

If you want to do something for me or because of me, grieving is not what I need. I need you to play.

Play

Of Playfulness and Play

Bernard L. De Koven on April 5, 2017

Play is an inherently political action. Playful is a way of being. We need only to play, playfully, together.

Play is an inherently political action. Playful is a way of being. We need only to play, playfully, together.

Play

Lighthearted. Light, As In The Light That Lights The Heart

Bernard L. De Koven on March 27, 2017

This is the way it is when you come together to for fun.

You let loose. You let the light of being together into your very heart. You let the fun in. You let each other in.

This is the way it is when you come together to for fun.

You let loose. You let the light of being together into your very heart. You let the fun in. You let each other in.

Laughter

Good Fun

Bernard L. De Koven on February 28, 2017

We must make the distinction. Not just fun, but good fun. Not just laughter, but laughter that comes from the heart, from the depths of the soul, echoes of our shared humanity.

We must make the distinction. Not just fun, but good fun. Not just laughter, but laughter that comes from the heart, from the depths of the soul, echoes of our shared humanity.

Play

Playfulness Is Freeing - Even More Freeing Than Play Itself

Bernard L. De Koven on February 23, 2017

It's the freeing kind of play. It's not just playing. It's the way of being that sets you and all with whom you are playful free. Yes. Playful being. That kind.

It's the freeing kind of play. It's not just playing. It's the way of being that sets you and all with whom you are playful free. Yes. Playful being. That kind.

Relationships

I Enjoy Myself Best When I'm Enjoying Somebody Else

Bernard L. De Koven on February 14, 2017

Another truth my love reveals...

Another truth my love reveals...