PLAY NURTURES OUR CREATIVE ENERGIES and strengthens our problem-solving skills. For tens of thousands of years, it was a vital component of communal living and social cohesion among our hunter-gatherer ancestors. Once the kill had been made, or the day’s supply of roots, shoots, nuts, and leaves had been gathered, Grok played. The children might scamper around and chase each other. Adults might wrestle, race, have throwing contests, or even just lounge around and groom each other. This was pure, unadulterated leisure time, and there was plenty of it. However, our sense of play today is often considered a luxury or, even worse, “kids’ stuff.” You know there’s a serious problem brewing when even your kids can’t play without first checking their schedules. It’s time to reclaim our birthright and play again.