Duck Duck Goose

Duck Duck Goose

If you ever need a refill on your joy meter, play Duck Duck Goose with a few five-year-olds.

A picker walks around a circle of children, touching one head at a time, saying, “Duck, duck . . .” Eventually the picker taps a head and says, “Goose!” and the goose chases the picker around the circle, trying to tag him or her. You can imagine how silly and crazed it can get. If you ever join in as an adult, you’ll remember what silliness feels like.

Children have a knack for this unconditional, rapturous silliness—unrestrained belly laughs, melodious giggles, bursting enthusiasm, playful absorption.

As often as possible, try taking off your adult hat and returning to the land of silliness, where worry has no place and life has no limits, where the only task to be completed is embracing life to its fullest.

Although you can never return to childhood, you can join children in play and learn from these masters of joy.

He will yet fill your mouth with laughter and your lips with shouts of joy. —Job 8:21