Having grandchildren comes with many perks—one of them being the chance to watch whimsical movies that hold such overt appeal for young minds. While our newest generation is still too young to appreciate the cinema, they nonetheless inspired me to revisit the 1964 classic Mary Poppins and recall what captivated me when I was young. Watching it again as an adult, I was struck by some of the film’s unexpected messaging. One scene in particular caught my attention.

Julie Andrews’ character is a nanny who has just been hired to care for the two children of a wealthy couple. During her interview, she states with a warm smile, “I am kind, but extremely firm.” In her very first interaction with the children, they arrive at their bedrooms—rooms that are a wholly disheveled mess of scattered toys and clothes. She offers this bit of guidance: “In every job that must be done, there is an element of fun. You find the fun and snap—the job’s a game.” 

In the movie, the chaos is magically transformed into order. On one level, this feels like harmless fantasy. Yet in my own life, I’ve found some truth in it. “Jobs,” challenges, “work”—at first glance, they can feel daunting. But so much depends on the consideration we give them, the meaning we attach, and the emotion we bring. Once we frame a task as a game—and find even a spark of interest in playing it—the weight of the problem seems to lift. We’re no longer bogged down by taking our lives too seriously. 

This holiday season, and into the new year, I wish for your challenges to become games—ones you feel inspired to play—and that you never lose the magical sense of possibility life can bring. Warm wishes to you this holiday season and in the new year.