parenting – …my temporary assignment.

Daily writing prompt

Do you play in your daily life? What says “playtime” to you?

To be honest, when I read this, I see it as “Daily Play Prompt”. Blessed to have come across it. Rather, happy that I tried it and found joy in doing so. Now I look forward to finding out what it will be the next day.

I am not much of a TV guy, other than some football games, old movies, cartoons and Stooges. Commercials are largely annoying for the most part, focused on the drug of the month, Bank cards and the like. But Matthew and Woody crack me up.

And I know this will come as a complete shock, but I happen to identify with the parental antics being therapeutically addressed by Dr. Rick. Not calling out the customer’s name, turning a photo op into 1 gig marathon, but some of the things people in the crowd at his seminar frown about.

Lawn care is not a hobby.

Breaking down cardboard boxes is not a thrill.

He did not mention sweeping the patio.

Nor did he specifically throw raking leaves and weeding into the mix

Maybe not play time per se. But sources of joy all the same. And all are an avenue of instant gratification. Where you engage in a short effort, work up a sweat, and produce palpable results within an hour or two. Having to push a mower for over an acre of grass is like a trip to PF. Talk about a core work out, rake the leaves in the fall and see how that feels the next day.

Play is what you make of it.

I love to listen to music, so being at a concert is play-time. But having a SoundTouch on the patio puts me in the front row. A vigorous walk around and through the neighborhood, saying “hi” to fellow walkers and kids on bikes or scooters is play. Once I get a bike, that will accompany walks as a form of play. and if my limbs loosen up some more, maybe I can even go back to flippin’ a tire across a field. Then I won’t be married to a gym for a workout.

When you come upon a renewable and revisable source of interest, that doesn’t just grow on you but grows you, I think that is what play-time is meant to be. A chance to engage several different aspects of your being into something that renews. Even work can be that, as long as you are able to find a joy similar to that pulling weeds.

So that being said, perhaps Dr. Rick should turn his attention to a wider audience. Like those that spend their life scrolling, playing video games, taking selfies and aiming for clicks. Mostly inside, alone even surrounded by friends. Maybe that is a market they have never even considered. Trying to get their attention would be about as successful as telling a parental client to stop shouting customer’s names off the cup in the local coffee shop.

I get it.

We parents do act like dorks from time to time.

But you know what?

That just happens to be our play-time.

I don’t watch a whole lot of TV, but I do find “The Voice” to be pretty good. At times, the stories of the singers and their journey to follow their passion can be very compelling. The coaches are good, solid people, excellent mentors and well equipped to support all sorts of talent that comes from everywhere and all walks of life.

So the other night, we watched it for the first time this year and got to know a newer array of coaches this time around. Michael Buble remained as the veteran, and was joined by Reba McEntire and Niall Horan. The fourth coach, Snoop Dogg, was an incredible addition to the team and truly something to behold. Although it was the only episode I saw this season, and the first time I saw him ever, my sense was there was this captivating emotional connection between the four.

Now aside from his music and business ventures, Snoop Dogg created a youth football league about 18 years ago to provide inner city kids an opportunity to participate in football and cheer. The focus of the Snoop Youth Football League is developing the person, teaching them values of teamwork, good sportsmanship, discipline and self respect, while stressing the importance of academics. His program has enabled over 60,000 kids to participate since its inception.

That night, in my view, Coach Dogg genuinely modeled every aspect of the words “man”, “father” and of course, “coach”. He was such a compassionate soul, a hugger. And regardless of his part in the show’s selection process, he would make his way on stage to console and encourage a singer that fell short, or celebrate them and his fellow coaches for a job well done.

At one point in the show, a young lady’s performance did not fare well and when it became obvious, she became quite emotional. Snoop went up to her, offered a tissue or two, and in true coach fashion shared something I will never soon forget.

Holding her with one arm, and with the other hand, his thumb and forefinger in the shape of an “L”, he said something that truly resonated with me, and I am sure many others. To paraphrase, showing her the “L” made by his fingers, Snoop said “this doesn’t mean loser or lose, but rather, lesson. So take this moment for what it truly is, a lesson. Learn from it, build on it, come back stronger and win.”

Offering a perspective possessing this mass has an innate ability to change life in so many ways. Every demanding, challenging and disappointing situation has within it opportunity, the potential for growth and achievement. But only if you are open to seeing it in this fashion.

For the only way you can become defined as the “L” by that single moment is if you choose to let it be so. However, should you choose to look at it as a lesson, it then becomes an opportunity to learn and grow so you can become what you were intended to be.

Witnessing that interaction with her and hearing his words of wisdom that night clarified many things for me. I bet for many others out there as well.

While that show features truly genuine artists with a voice unlike any other, seeking to further pursue their passion for music, what Snoop shared with the world last night speaks more so about life.

Its lessons.

How you should not only see them, but hear them.

For they can truly become your song.

And make you sing.