One of the standouts, and reoccurring themes in some readings over the years is how joy and playfulness can energize us, help our creativity, and grow our leadership.[3]<\/a> \u201cIncreasing happiness increases the likelihood of insight, while increasing anxiety decreases the likelihood of insight.\u201d[4]<\/a> This connects to what Edwin Friedman says in Failure of Nerve<\/em>, \u201cChronically anxious families (including institutions and whole societies) tend to mimic the reptilian response: Lacking the capacity to be playful, their perspective is narrow.\u201d[5]<\/a> Seems obvious, which is how insights work according to Rock, but the degree of joy and playfulness we carry likely reflects how much creativity is in our lives and if we are living from a place of self-differentiation or anxiety.<\/p>\n Of course, we all have different personality types so I don\u2019t think we should all strive to be chuckles the clown. We also hit low patches and should \u201cmourn with those who mourn\u201d (Romans 12:15), but I am realizing more and more that joy and living playfully are important qualities for leaders to have. When it comes to our being<\/em>and the presence we carry, Paul lists the second fruit of the Spirit as JOY. Go figure!<\/p>\n On a practical level, when I find joy in what I do or shift my mindset to \u201cI get to do this\u201d instead of uhhh \u201cI have to do this\u201d, I notice a huge difference in my energy levels, curiosity, playfulness, and happiness while doing it. David says this helps reinterpret the event and repositions our perspective. Although Rock says reappraisal does spend more energy, it is worth the cost. He also says it gets easier over time. \u201cOptimists may be people who have embedded an automatic positive reappraisal to life\u2019s knocks.\u201d[6]<\/a> He also says humor is a form of reappraisal, and a cheap one at that.<\/p>\n This was one of the qualities I noticed and admired in Desmond Tutu wh <\/p>\n Ways to Avoid Brain Drain Through Joy<\/strong><\/p>\n -Relax, don\u2019t take myself too seriously<\/p>\n -Let my inner child out more. Play, explore, be curious, let go of what others think.<\/p>\n -Quickly reappraise events and situations as opportunities to learn, grow, connect, have adventures, etc.<\/p>\n -Delegate and spend more time doing what I love.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n [1]<\/a> David Rock, \u201cYour Brain at Work: Strategies for Overcoming Distraction, Regaining Focus, and Working Smarter All Day Long\u201d (New York, NY: Harper Business, 2009), 15.<\/p>\n [2]<\/a> Kahneman, Daniel, Thinking, Fast and Slow<\/em>, (New York: Farrar, Straus and Giroux, 2013).<\/p>\n [3]<\/a> Rath, Tom, and Donald O. Clifton. How Full Is Your Bucket? Positive Strategies for Work and Life<\/em>. (New York: Gallup Press, 2004).<\/p>\n [4]<\/a> Ibid, 60.<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/blogs.georgefox.edu\/dlgp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/Screen-Shot-2023-04-06-at-11.36.37-PM-1-254x300.png\")
<\/a>ile at his exhibit in Cape Town, South Africa. He dealt with and fought against major social issues that broke his heart and led him to tears. However, for those who knew him, they said he was a jokester. Seeing the art piece of him swinging from the chandeliers was not what I expected when I first walked into the exhibit, but it gave me a quick idea that he did not fit my \u201cBishop\u201d expectations. He took his devotion to God, love for people and injustice seriously, but he did not take himself or life too seriously and those around him admired him for it. When I think about being a non-anxious presence, peace usually comes to mind, but I don\u2019t think joy should be to far behind.<\/p>\n