This is Optimal Living Daily, episode 1530, five lessons about self-confidence, play, and the

meaning of work that I learned from a toddler. By Ingrid Y. Hellender of IngridYHellenderLMFT.com,

and I'm just a mall at your personal narrator where I get permission from the authors of the best

blogs I can find on personal development, minimalism, productivity, anything that I think will help

you live a more meaningful life. And then I simply read their content to you for free, like a big,

free audiobook. Today I have a brand new author for this show I'll tell you more about Ingrid

right after the reading, so for now, let's get right to it and start optimizing your life.

Five lessons about self-confidence, play, and the meaning of work that I learned from a toddler

by IngridYHellender of IngridYHellenderLMFT.com. I'm doing work that I love that feels both

playful and meaningful. As I looked at these words I had just written in my morning journal,

at first I wasn't sure what they meant. Feeling curious, I began to imagine what playful and

meaningful work actually looks like. Instantly an image of my 19-month-old granddaughter Lucy

flashed in my mind's eye, like most toddlers Lucy is always busy playing. At first glance,

her activity might seem nonsensical, a flight of random movement. But when I closely observe her,

as I love to do, I see the exact combination of play and meaning I meant in my journal.

Eyes wide and face calmly determined, she places her baby doll on a blanket on the floor.

She pauses and searches the room, finds a wash cloth nearby, shakes it flat and lays it over the

dolly. A few attempts and the cloth is smooth and where she wants it. Lucy squats down, kisses her

little baby and pops up again. This time she finds a storybook and lays it on the doll's lap.

I walk around the room and she grabs another doll to join the first. A pause, she embraces the doll,

the hug turns into a quick dance. Now the doll is placed beside her doll friend on the blanket.

To the kitchen, Lucy goes, random and meaningless? No, the play kitchen has food, babies must eat.

...