While thinking of a message for this Christmas edition, my thoughts began to center more on what I did not want to say.

I decided that I’m not going to talk about the economy and how we should be grateful for what we have. I believe most of us have already been deeply humbled by financial changes experienced this year. Neither will I write about spreading goodwill. This time of year, it’s pretty hard not to be kind to people. Call it Christmas spirit or just getting caught up in the season, we become driven to give, give and give. I won’t caution you not to overeat or overspend. There are tons of books and gurus out there ready to dish out plenty of advice in these areas.

No, I have no deep holiday message for you. My one wish is that you will become a kid again. No one embodies the wonder of the season better than children, and us adults need to take notice. Too often Christmas becomes a chore, a big event marked by multiple to-do lists. Tasks meant to take months are condensed into a span of 3 or 4 weeks---sometimes 3 or 4 days! Many are so exhausted from all the preparation, they cannot fully participate in the joy the day is supposed to bring. It’s not uncommon to hear people say they’ll be glad when Christmas is over.

Of course, you will never hear a kid say that. Christmas is the ultimate play day—the time when dreams anticipated all year ’round come true. The one day, they can eat candy, play with toys, watch as much television, and receive unlimited doses of love and attention until their hearts are content. It is a time when adults in their world put away differences and strive to spread love and peace toward others. They feel safe and confident.

Like children, we could all use a little more joy in our lives. It doesn’t matter how old we are, how many responsibilities we have. In fact, if you want to be healthy, taking time out to enjoy yourself is a must. You were not made to keep going and going and never stop. And if you’ve been living a fast-track life all year, your body is probably giving you hints to slow down. Please obey!

There are two things children do that I believe adults should emulate. They rest and they play. When children are young—especially in pre-school and kindergarten, we make sure they take naps. Once they mature, naps are no longer a part of the routine. Our lives become too crammed with work and school. But that does not mean we don’t need our rest.

This is the end of the year. It is time to slow down and put some distance between 2009 and 2010. Allow your mind, body and emotions to catch up with the many changes that have occurred all year ’round. Ask yourself what you want to embrace and what you need to leave behind. Challenge the thoughts that say you can’t take a day off or spend a few extra hours with the people you love. Making money is not the sum total of your life. If you have the attitude that taking amount of time off work—even a day-- will devastate your family’s future, you’re living under a false economy. If you cannot benefit from your labor, what good is it all anyway?

Kids take time to play. If you haven’t done this in awhile, it’s time to reconnect. Everyone has an "inner child" which wants to come out. Go ahead. Be silly. Roll around on the floor with your kids. Bring out the board games or dust off those roller skates. There’s so much to do. There are all sorts of ways to entertain yourself. You just may have been too busy to recognize them.

Playing is therapeutic on many levels. It offers ways to create new ideas in a safe way. It produces laughter, which has been shown to improve your health. Playing makes you feel young and alive. Playing also causes people to be more considerate of others because it promotes team spirit. Whether you like to play sports, board games, or music, it creates an interdependent relationship, where you both give and receive support from others

A big benefit of resting and playing is that it takes you in another realm—a healthy fantasy world where all things truly are possible. Children are usually very positive. And playing gives them a creative outlet for dreaming their dreams. For a child, the sky is truly the limit! What is it that you want? What dreams do you have that are yet to be fulfilled? Act it out! Play it out! Reveal what is inside.

This time next week, we will celebrate a brand new year? How will you become new? If you’re going to remain the same, serious old soul with no new hope, energy or ideas, what does it matter that the calendar says 2010?

Take the remaining days of 2009 to enjoy yourself and the people in your life. Relax and make time to do play. Don’t keep putting off your good time or postpone your future. Remember someday is not a day of the week.

Inglewood Today Weekly wishes you a truly Merry Christmas and a happy, playful New Year.