What does play mean to you? Is there enough fun in your life? Enough time for simply fooling around? You will find it easier to begin exploring this subject by making a Non-Pleasure List of things that aren’t fun or playful or enjoyable for you. Things like skydiving, or shopping for clothes, or running. You may even get a laugh or two out of making the list. Once that list is out of the way, you may be inspired to make a Pleasure List of what is fun for you—like checking out garage sales, going out for breakfast with a friend, or taking a sauna.

Go through your Pleasure List and indicate the last time you remember doing each of these activities. Is there one item on your list that you could do today? One that you will put on your schedule for this week or next? Many people find it helpful to actually put the date on their calendar, scheduling in times for doing something fun or for just doing nothing.

We stake our lives on our purposeful programs and projects, our serious jobs and endeavors. But doesn't the really important part of our life unfold "after hours"—singing and dancing, music and painting, prayer and lovemaking, or just fooling around? —Fr. William McNamara

---