Are Personal Discovery and Play Complementary Survival Tools?

Alyse here. . .

Jayne and I have been co-facilitating an Artists Way Group based on the book by Julie Cameron. A theme that surfaced this week was one that, at first, seemed like a contradiction: dig deep and play. We were being asked to take time to be introspective and uncover our blind spots, and take time to nurture ourselves, play and have fun. Julie Cameron says “It is a paradox of creative recovery that we must get serious about taking ourselves lightly. We must work at learning to play.” 

When I am acknowledging and exploring my strengths it is easy to think about playing. I am already on a natural high. But, when I am delving into my limitations and acknowledging what it will take to really make changes, do I feel like playing? Well, escape maybe, play- probably not. How can I juggle the two worlds of play and personal discovery in order to live my creative life?