I love that feeling when you meet someone for the first time and you just know you were meant to make a connection with this person.  Instinct.   Karma.  Destiny.  Call it whatever you like, but I'd like to believe it all comes down to the same thing...divine timing.  We connect with certain people at just the right time in our lives (and in theirs) for reasons that often aren't readily apparent, but the feeling of familiarity shows up immediately.

Jamie Ridler is one of those people I've recently had the pleasure of meeting online that I just knew she and I would get along with each other like we'd been best friends since grade school.  Incredibly creative, refreshingly authentic, and bursting with energy and good cheer, Jamie is a positive and vibrant dynamo who inspires people to nurture their creativity in a variety of delightful ways.  She coaches.  She collages.  She creates a sweet sense of community and connection for the folks who hang out on her blog.  

When I emailed her a few weeks back to tell her I admired her work and loved what she was creating for herself and for others in the world, her prompt reply was not only personable and lovely, but it contained a surprising invitation. She asked if I would like to be a guest of her podcast and I enthusiastically said, "Yes!".  Our conversation was one of shared stories, mutual support and admiration, and encouragement to others.  I hope you'll take time out of your day to have a listen here. 

Remember when you were a kid and it didn't take much to establish a friendship with someone?  Usually it involved just asking a simple question like, "You wanna be friends?"  We can still do that as adults.  Reach out and make connections with someone you'd like to know.  Take a chance on a stranger and you just might experience that feeling of knowing you and this person were absolutely meant to meet each other and become friends.

"This is the role I play for myself...to be committed to my passion, to tell myself the truth as I know it, to act with integrity."

I love this quote by MaryAnne Radmacher and I love this photograph of me.  I've been a big fan of MaryAnne's ever since I first purchased a cloth scroll of hers twenty years ago at the University of Oregon's bookstore.  The scroll says, "I come to the sea to breathe."  It's one of my most treasured possessions and her words remain as true for me now as they did two decades ago.

My husband took this photograph of me on our honeymoon. I love it because it reminds me of three specific dreams of mine that have all come true. The dreams were to visit Santorini, Greece, meet and marry the love of my life, and be a writer.

To be committed to my passion means I devote time to doing those things I love. 

To tell myself the truth as I know it is to to be incredibly honest about who I am as well as who I am not.

To act with integrity is to be mindful of my actions, make wise choices, and keep the promises I make to myself and to others.

What roles do you play for yourself?   What quotes remind you to be true to who you are?  

As of June 2010, I have a new website and a new blog, but being an advocate for play isn't something new to me. I've pretty much been playing since December 13, 1968.  

I had an active imagination and played make-believe as a child.  I was an athlete in high school and played sports. I enjoyed having fun and played hookie a few times when I was in college.  And yes, I'll admit it...in my twenties and early thirties, I enjoyed the affections of a few men and played around a bit.

Here's the thing...over the past four decades, no matter what age I've been and no matter what circumstances I've found myself in, I've always made play a part of my day somehow.  Why?  Because I choose to live in a place where lightness, laughter and love are the key components to life.  And when those things are present, it's much easier to play and be playful in the world.

Where I physically live helps me play as well.  Being on the beach (especially when it's a beautiful day like the one you see above in the picture) tends to bring out the playful spirit in everyone.  So two questions for you to ponder...

1) Where do you physically live and does your environment encourage you to play?

2) Where are the places in your life where you make play a part of your day?