Finding joy in play

We recently took full advantage of a warmer-than-average (26°C/78°F) sunny day and let our inner 10-year-olds run wild at a phenomenal playground in Turia Gardens.

The main attraction is a colossal sculpture of Gulliver from Jonathan Swift's 1726 short story, “Gulliver’s Travels". The sculpture depicts a sleeping Gulliver who's been tied up by the tiny inhabitants of Lilliput, a fictitious island near Tasmania, after his ship wrecked off the coast and he washed ashore exhausted. The scale is such that visitors feel like they're the same size as the Lilliputians.

At 70 meters (230') long and almost 9 meters (30') tall, the sculpture is full of slides, ladders, and ropes to climb, ensuring hours of fun for folks of all ages.

Freeing our younger selves to play and live in the moment seems like a luxury, but feels like a necessity lately. As we navigate the ups and downs of life in a new country, we're also keenly aware of the consequential impact the results of the U.S. presidential election will have on us and other marginalized groups as well as what that means for our future. Stepping away from our frustrations and counteracting the negatives with joy and laughter has helped to brighten our perspective.

Have you given yourself the freedom to play recently? If so, what's your go-to "play" of choice?

Sending y’all love and hugs across the miles and wishing each of you the very best this day has to offer.