y parents recently delighted our children with a new play set. Although thrilled with it, the kids spent more time digging in the sand below. They played for hours, reminding me of a favourite childhood hangout, an undeveloped lot called ‘the dirt pile,’ and how the simplest things can bring the most joy. As complicated as our lives can get, there’s a universal desire for simplicity, play, and a sense of possibility.

Simplicity, play + possibility
Children inevitably play more with the box than the toy it contained, preferring the simplicity, while adults may unnecessarily complicate their lives. For example, I rush to yoga class to hurry up and relax, while cursing the lack of parking. A quiet practice at home could serve me more. Reflect on how to make the most of each moment and, where less is more. How can you simplify your schedule and life? 

In the slow shift from childhood to adulthood, it no longer seems sufficient to do something simply because it is fun. Somewhere between playing countless games of marbles in the dirt and scrambling to pay the bills, the child-like sense of wonder gets lost. In reflecting on the dirt pile philosophy, ask yourself, “Where can I find the fun again in life?” Perhaps by enlisting company to help complete a boring task; turning a to-do list into a game; or listening to your favourite tunes to help pass the time.