Do You Want to Build a Snowman?
A little while after I posted last week’s blog about bringing recess back, I got a really fun gif from a dear friend of mine asking, “Do you want to build a snowman?” I immediately responded, “Yes! I want to build a snowman!!” The funny thing about my response was that I wasn’t just saying that. I really was giddy with excitement, like a little kid, about the possibility of building a snowman.
But here’s the thing. With the temperature being in the upper sixties and not even an artificial snowflake anywhere in sight, it would have been really easy to act like an adult in that moment and accept the fact that there was no way for me to build a snowman that day. As I sat there in limbo for about two minutes as I subconsciously processed why I was so excited about something that seemed like an impossibility, it suddenly hit me. I was so excited because I was ready to go out for recess! I wanted to play with my friend! I wanted to build a snowman!
So, you want to guess what I did? I dropped what I was working on and I went to recess! It was like all my creative juices started flowing and I was determined to build a snowman right then and there with or without snow. I was at my office surrounded by a lot of adult stuff, so I really had to get creative. After a quick look around, I gathered a few materials and I got to work.
Who knew a sheet of printer paper, a discarded granola bar wrapper, a plastic grocery bag, and some paperclips could be used to build a snowman? If anybody would have walked in my office during that time, they probably would have thought I had finally lost it. But it wouldn’t have even mattered if they did. I had so much fun and my heart was so happy.
And here’s the thing… I know it had absolutely nothing to do with the actual snowman. Here’s what I think I was really excited about:
1. I was excited I had a friend who asked me to play. Unfortunately, there are too many of us who don’t have any friends. If you happen to be one of these people, don’t mope around one day longer feeling sorry for yourself. Go to the playground so you can make some friends. If you do have friends but none of them ask you to play, you might need to find you some fun friends!
2. I was excited I didn’t give up on what I wanted to do just because I didn’t have what I thought I needed. We do this a lot to ourselves. We rule out all kinds of possibilities based on the assumptions we make. Surely you need thirty-degree weather and at least three inches of snow to make a snowman, right? Wrong! Don’t give up so easily on what makes your heart sing. Think outside the box and let your creativity flow.
3. I was excited I actually took the time to take recess. It wasn’t like I didn’t have anything else to do (because there’s always plenty that needs to be done), but I made it a priority to just stop for a little while and take a break. It made a huge difference in my day.
How many of you got excited after reading last week’s blog but never took recess a single day this past week? Well, don’t let another week go by. Make it a point to stop and take a break. And while you’re at it, encourage someone else to do the same. Why not take a lesson from my friend and just ask someone, “Do you want to build a snowman?”
Questions to Ask
· How do you think you would have responded if someone asked you if you wanted to build a snowman in the middle of your workday?
· What types of things have you given up on simply because you don’t have what you think you need?
· What can you do to begin thinking more outside the box?
Scripture to Study
· John 10:10 AMP
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