<p class="title">In one of his books, Robin Sharma says: "As adults, we stop playing once we assume responsibilities of life. Adults are nothing more than deteriorated children." </p>.<p class="bodytext">I do not doubt the veracity of his claim. For, a strong desire to connect with the child in me has taken precedence over time. To achieve the task, I seek the interludes of childhood fun and frolic. Mark you, not through structured games, but rather by the pursuit of free-spirited play.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Let me lead you through the events that germinated the seed for this thought:</p>.<p class="bodytext">To oil the joints, I frequent a nearby park for a saunter. Often, forgetting the agenda, I find myself enviously watching children at play in the small playpen. I soon get involved in their merriment, thrills and spills, and long to join in their fun. If only I could take those wild Tarzan swings and go all dizzy on the merry-go-round, I imagine.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Life's highs and lows seem a mere trifle compared to the up-down on the see-saw. The smothered ape in me yearns for the jungle-gym; if only I could gallop away to far-off lands on the spring horse…</p>.<p class="bodytext">However, my desires are nipped in the bud by the notice staring me in the face, warning me that I'm well past the age of this indulgence.</p>.<p class="bodytext">"Be content with the frenzy of the adult world," chides god-knows-who, while the obstinate child in me declares: "I want to play!"</p>.<p class="bodytext">However, recently, the stars colluded to fulfil my sincere wish. One lazy afternoon, sauntering the lovely green spaces at a nearby hill resort, I stop at the sight of a playpen ahead of me. Arresting my gaze on the sturdy equipment, I look around for the officious signboard. Seeing none in the vicinity, I realise that it is an open field. I had my plea ready and was ready to pay for the damages, if any.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Not letting the opportunity pass me, I test the waters. Without a moment's hesitation, I unleash the juvenile in me: I go hither and thither, crawling through tunnels, hanging down bars, sliding down and landing to soft thuds; swinging in huge arcs and taking dizzying spins. Soon, the world around me stands obscured, much to the amusement of the family and passers-by.</p>.<p class="bodytext">My escapades draw magnetic strength from my latent desire. Playing to my heart's content, the joy I derive is inexplicable, and so is the excitement of my new-found agility. The exhilaration of free-spirited play indulged in cheer is to be only experienced and finds a weak expression in words. By the end of it all, I am supercharged - light, jolly and happy - ready to face the world again.</p>.<p class="bodytext">I wholeheartedly agree with Robin Sharma as he adds to his claim: "Make the time to connect to your more playful side, the child within you." His prescription for making time to be a little reckless and silly with a dash of wild abandon works as the perfect pill to savour the wonder of life.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Later, meandering through Uncle Google's mazes, I come across a piece of priceless information: the city of Berlin hosts a playpen for grown-ups! Now, a visit to the city tops my bucket list.</p>
<p class="title">In one of his books, Robin Sharma says: "As adults, we stop playing once we assume responsibilities of life. Adults are nothing more than deteriorated children." </p>.<p class="bodytext">I do not doubt the veracity of his claim. For, a strong desire to connect with the child in me has taken precedence over time. To achieve the task, I seek the interludes of childhood fun and frolic. Mark you, not through structured games, but rather by the pursuit of free-spirited play.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Let me lead you through the events that germinated the seed for this thought:</p>.<p class="bodytext">To oil the joints, I frequent a nearby park for a saunter. Often, forgetting the agenda, I find myself enviously watching children at play in the small playpen. I soon get involved in their merriment, thrills and spills, and long to join in their fun. If only I could take those wild Tarzan swings and go all dizzy on the merry-go-round, I imagine.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Life's highs and lows seem a mere trifle compared to the up-down on the see-saw. The smothered ape in me yearns for the jungle-gym; if only I could gallop away to far-off lands on the spring horse…</p>.<p class="bodytext">However, my desires are nipped in the bud by the notice staring me in the face, warning me that I'm well past the age of this indulgence.</p>.<p class="bodytext">"Be content with the frenzy of the adult world," chides god-knows-who, while the obstinate child in me declares: "I want to play!"</p>.<p class="bodytext">However, recently, the stars colluded to fulfil my sincere wish. One lazy afternoon, sauntering the lovely green spaces at a nearby hill resort, I stop at the sight of a playpen ahead of me. Arresting my gaze on the sturdy equipment, I look around for the officious signboard. Seeing none in the vicinity, I realise that it is an open field. I had my plea ready and was ready to pay for the damages, if any.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Not letting the opportunity pass me, I test the waters. Without a moment's hesitation, I unleash the juvenile in me: I go hither and thither, crawling through tunnels, hanging down bars, sliding down and landing to soft thuds; swinging in huge arcs and taking dizzying spins. Soon, the world around me stands obscured, much to the amusement of the family and passers-by.</p>.<p class="bodytext">My escapades draw magnetic strength from my latent desire. Playing to my heart's content, the joy I derive is inexplicable, and so is the excitement of my new-found agility. The exhilaration of free-spirited play indulged in cheer is to be only experienced and finds a weak expression in words. By the end of it all, I am supercharged - light, jolly and happy - ready to face the world again.</p>.<p class="bodytext">I wholeheartedly agree with Robin Sharma as he adds to his claim: "Make the time to connect to your more playful side, the child within you." His prescription for making time to be a little reckless and silly with a dash of wild abandon works as the perfect pill to savour the wonder of life.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Later, meandering through Uncle Google's mazes, I come across a piece of priceless information: the city of Berlin hosts a playpen for grown-ups! Now, a visit to the city tops my bucket list.</p>