--- title: Playing description: Playing by Lori Hadorn-Disselkamp --- [![catholic-mom-logo-v2](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/images/catholic-mom-logo-v2.svg "catholic-mom-logo-v2")](https://www.catholicmom.com/) [![facebook](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-facebook.svg)](http://www.facebook.com/CatholicMomCommunity) [![twitter](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-twitter.svg)](http://twitter.com/CatholicMomCom) [![instagram](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-instagram.svg)](http://instagram.com/catholicmomcommunity) [![youtube](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-youtube.svg)](https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCAuUqHCVPDzyMgSMaMZxxug?view_as=subscriber) [![search-icon](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/search-icon.svg)](https://www.catholicmom.com/articles/2012/08/12/playing#) # Playing Aug 12, 2012 11:00:19 AM  |  by [Lori Hadorn-Disselkamp](https://www.catholicmom.com/articles/author/lori-hadorn-disselkamp) [![Plaing](https://static.hsstatic.net/BlogImporterAssetsUI/ex/missing-image.png "Playing")](http://catholicmom.com/2012/08/11/playing/playing-2/) Playing Playing: As adults we are made to believe we should no longer play that is an action for children. Well, we are wrong. We should play in all things. Playing makes us light hearted, it makes us laugh, giggle and smile. As my son says the more you laugh the longer you live. So why not bring joy and laughter into your life in all places? I worked for 7 years as a photographer at JC Penney’s Portrait studio. My job was to elicit smiles. When a parent would say “Johnny say cheese!” I would kick them out of the photo shoot. I wanted to photograph natural smiles, laughter and giggles. In order to do that I would play with the kids, throwing a ball, playing with stuffed animals, tickling them, playing peek a boo. Those were photos that would be preserved for a lifetime. Not only did I play with the kids I also had a great friend there named Laura. She was a goofball. We had to be professional but when she saw the boredom coming, or the stress of a grumpy customer she would lighten the mood with a smile or a goofy face. We should also play in our relationships. My husband took me out Saturday evening for a much needed date. Normally we do the usual dinner and a movie. But this time he surprised me and took me to a bar and grill that had a pool table. When we were dating we would play pool all the time on the weekends. It was fun flirting, making bets and just playing a game together. It was the best date we have had in years. Adults should play at work, home, and school and in their relationships. Playing lifts you up, makes your mood change to the positive and brings you joy. Try it today. Smile, tell a stupid joke, share a silly story, be a goofball and just have fun for a change and see how playing makes your day better. ***Copyright 2012 Lori Hadorn-Disselkamp*** ### Share this article [![Share on Facebook](https://static.hubspot.com/final/img/common/icons/social/facebook-24x24.png)](http://www.facebook.com/share.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.catholicmom.com%2Farticles%2F2012%2F08%2F12%2Fplaying%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dfacebook) [![Share on Twitter](https://static.hubspot.com/final/img/common/icons/social/twitter-24x24.png)](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?original_referer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.catholicmom.com%2Farticles%2F2012%2F08%2F12%2Fplaying%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dtwitter&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.catholicmom.com%2Farticles%2F2012%2F08%2F12%2Fplaying%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dtwitter&source=tweetbutton&text=Playing) [![Share on Email](https://static.hubspot.com/final/img/common/icons/social/email-24x24.png)](mailto:?subject=Check%20out%20https%3A%2F%2Fwww.catholicmom.com%2Farticles%2F2012%2F08%2F12%2Fplaying%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Demail%20&body=Check%20out%20https%3A%2F%2Fwww.catholicmom.com%2Farticles%2F2012%2F08%2F12%2Fplaying%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Demail) ** #### About the Author ![CatholicMom Logo](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/logos/favicon-catholicmom.png) ### [Lori Hadorn-Disselkamp](https://www.catholicmom.com/articles/author/lori-hadorn-disselkamp) Lori Hadorn-Disselkamp - mom of 4 teens/wife for 20+ years. Lori has been writing at her own website [Faith Filled Mom](http://www.faithfilledmom.com/). She writes about the journey of faith we live daily and the ability to recognize God. She is a retreat director at Sacred Heart Academy HS. She just earned her MA in Pastoral Ministry as well as a certification in spiritual direction. ## Related Blog Articles [ The Bible is More than A Book Read ](https://www.catholicmom.com/articles/2013/01/20/the-bible-is-more-than-a-book) [ Beneath Read ](https://www.catholicmom.com/articles/2014/03/07/beneath) [ A Single Blade of Grass Read ](https://www.catholicmom.com/articles/2012/12/02/a-single-blade-of-grass) ## Comments ## Donate now [![Support Catholic Mom](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/275132/10016573-1c5c-4aa5-baba-c2ac91fe7545.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/275132/10016573-1c5c-4aa5-baba-c2ac91fe7545) [![CatholicMom_hcfm_logo1_pos_871c_2728c (002)](https://www.catholicmom.com/hs-fs/hubfs/CatholicMom_hcfm_logo1_pos_871c_2728c%20(002).png?width=1806&height=731&name=CatholicMom_hcfm_logo1_pos_871c_2728c%20(002).png "CatholicMom_hcfm_logo1_pos_871c_2728c (002)")](https://www.catholicmom.com/) ##### Subscribe to Catholic Momcast on iTunes or Spotify [![itunes-logo-black](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/logos/itunes-logo-black.svg)](https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/catholic-momcast/id1362352357)[![spotify-logo-black](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/logos/spotify-logo-black.svg)](https://open.spotify.com/show/15CoipHL7z61IDcYErV0b8?si=hqaQJSxDQgq7S1hxCwsoxQ) ##### CatholicMom on Social Networks [![facebook](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-facebook.svg)](http://www.facebook.com/CatholicMomCommunity) [![twitter](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-twitter.svg)](http://twitter.com/CatholicMomCom) [![instagram](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-instagram.svg)](http://instagram.com/catholicmomcommunity) [![youtube](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-youtube.svg)](https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCAuUqHCVPDzyMgSMaMZxxug?view_as=subscriber) ##### About Catholic Mom [Who We Are](https://www.catholicmom.com/about-us) [Contact Us](https://www.catholicmom.com/contact) [Support CatholicMom.com](https://www.catholicmom.com/support-us)   ##### Associated Links [Holy Cross Family Ministries](https://www.hcfm.org/) [Family Rosary](https://www.familyrosary.org/) [Family Theater Productions](https://www.familytheater.org/) [Congregation of the Holy Cross](https://www.holycrossusa.org/) [Father Patrick Peyton, C.S.C.](https://www.fatherpeyton.org/) [The Peyton Institute for Domestic Church Life](https://www.peytonfamilyinstitute.org/) ### **Stay connected!** Don’t miss a thing! 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