Return To Play: Rebuilding Resilience, Risk and Reconnection

by Brandi Heather

Can play be the answer to some of our most significant and complex social challenges of the 21st Century? No one cures cancer, solves environmental challenges, or builds inclusion without the ability to play in the unknown and unexplored. Play gives us the inspiration and courage to confront, “what do we do when no one has the answer?” Play invites us to risk connection in the face of the unexpected and unfamiliar. The ability to imagine solutions to some of our most significant challenges lies in gifts that we already have but that we might have let go of too soon. Reconnect to the best parts of yourself that you may have left on the playground. Play might be one of the most outstanding resume skills you are not including.In play, we are extraordinary! It’s time to reinstate the power of the do-over. Join me on this journey as I show you that play is worth risking a little of yourself to become more yourself in the process. From the science of play to personal communications with leaders like Seth Godin and Daniel Pink, Brandi Heather takes you on a journey back to childhood. She reminds us all that if we do not face the unexpected, new, and unfamiliar as children we can find ourselves more prone to the fear of change and the unexpected as adults.Brandi Heather is an award-winning Disability and Inclusion Educator and Therapeutic Play Specialist with over 25 years of lived experience. She utilizes the power of play to navigate diversity, inclusion, change management, self-care, and mental and physical health. “It’s like many of the most important things in our culture we don't understand the word we don’t understand what marketing means we don’t understand what play means. Play is a willingness to not win and still be okay with the journey that's what it is for me.” (personal communication, Seth Godin, September 2020) "The key is that play involves both taking risks and assuming good intent on the part of others. Both of those are in short supply today. But if we rehabilitate play, we might simultaneously resurrect our ability to get along and trust each other." (personal communication, Daniel Pink, September 2020)“What Brandi touches is magic! A book that the world has awaited for the longest time. Now is the time to play, if not now, then when?”Susanne Mueller, “Take it from the Ironwoman” (Podcaster, author) Executive Coaching & Consulting, New York & Switzerland.

143 pages, Kindle Edition

Published January 20, 2021

Reviews

[Shay · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have just finished reading Return To Play and it was so insightful and eye-opening! The personal connections that you have inserted, are so honouring to read. It was a very humbling book to read and I realized how many of these situations I find myself in and assign it harsh judgement. After having read the book, I find myself trying to reframe my own thinking. One cannot truly play if they are entering into their play with a pre-existing idea of what it should look like. As adults, we hold other people’s opinions of us and our behaviour to a much higher standard than to our own values and beliefs. But when we truly are at play, we have no pre-existing thoughts to what ‘it’ (success) should look like. A child who’s idea fails during play resembles a new opportunity to try something different. There is no harsh judgement on the failure itself. They might be frustrated, but it doesn’t mean that what they did was wrong, it just didn’t work. As adults, when we “fail,” we assign harsh and critical judgement to ourselves and our competence. When we fail, it means that we aren’t good enough and won’t be good enough.

I am trying to approach my own daily activities with play. If I can remove the expectation of success on the activity, then I can allow myself to have space to try new/innovate ways to perform the activity. If it doesn’t work, then I have lost nothing in the process, only learned that I can keep trying. The failure is no longer reflected back onto me.

[Leighton · Rating 5 out of 5]

I couldn't stop reading, I learned so much about what play means to all of our generations and why it must be valued in our daily lives. Brandi has once again opened my eyes to how play opens doors to connection, belonging, resiliency, problem-solving, emotional regulation... the list goes on but it also brings with it happiness and joy. How often do we seek out moments of happiness and joy in a world that is always pushing us to achieve, to be the best, to raise the best children, to accomplish and move on to the next goal. Not often. It is time we return to play, to value play, and to take a moment to play in our busy daily lives - our health, wellbeing and the wellbeing of others will thank us for it! Thank you Brandi for sharing your story and reminding us that we NEED to play.

[DALYN MILLER · Rating 5 out of 5]

Return To Play: Rebuilding Resilience, Risk and Reconnection by Brandi Heather is an inspiring and thought provoking exploration of how the simple act of play can help individuals and communities navigate some of the most complex challenges of modern life. Drawing from both research and personal experience, Heather highlights the transformative power of play as a tool for creativity, resilience, connection, and innovation.

One of the book’s most compelling ideas is that play is not merely a childhood activity but a crucial human skill that allows us to explore uncertainty and imagine new possibilities. In a world facing rapid change and complex problems, the willingness to engage with the unknown something play naturally encourages becomes an essential asset.

Heather skillfully blends insights from the science of play with personal stories and reflections from influential thinkers such as Seth Godin and Daniel Pink. This combination adds depth to the book’s message and reinforces the idea that play fosters collaboration, creativity, and trust.

Another powerful aspect of the book is its emphasis on reconnection. By inviting readers to revisit the curiosity and openness they once had as children, Heather encourages them to rediscover parts of themselves that may have been lost through adulthood’s pressures and expectations.

Ultimately, Return To Play is both a call to action and a reminder that the ability to experiment, imagine, and take risks through play can unlock solutions to personal and societal challenges alike. It’s a refreshing perspective on resilience, connection, and growth.

[Andrea Johnston · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful, insightful, and inspiring! This book is a call to action for all of us to find our own play and live more in play and joy.