Activity Professionals as Playful Jugglers

Enjoyed presenting at the Minnesota Statewide Activity Professional (SWAP) 2011 Annual Conference where I met many individuals who have been in the field, some for over forty years!

I also took the opportunity to sit in on Carr Hagerman’s (who also did the opening keynote) break-out session. Carr is a professional speaker and talented street performer (aka the “Rat Catcher”) for the Minnesota Renaissance Festival. I felt an immediate connection with his message which focused on dancing with the unexpected, oftentimes the imperfect unexpected, while in the middle of a performance. He stressed the importance of creating good energy, cultivating more playfulness, and being “the lightning bolt” in the space around you.

This of course, looks easy for someone like Carr who is used to taking playful, improvisational risks with perfect strangers on a regular basis. Carr testifies, however, that “a juggler is a culmination of ENDLESS FAILURES.”

You’ll never get anywhere, if you don’t bust out of your own bubble of comfort at some point. Being a great improvisational performer requires that one is willing to take risks, to look like a fool, and to accept what’s thrown at him at any given moment. All for the sake of brightening the lives of those around you. And being a great Activity Professional requires the same.

This is the daily opportunity that lies in wait for those who work in the field of long-term care. We are jugglers too, but how much more wonderful if we can take what’s thrown at us, both good and bad, and PLAY with it!

Speaking of “playfulness,” here sits Emilou Goldenpuppet, front-row center during my closing keynote.

Kareen King is a Registered Drama Therapist and founder of The Golden Experience, offering keynotes, concerts, and workshops to enrich lives in long-term care. For booking information, contact her at kking@thegoldenexperience.com.