Two kids were playing in a park. Throwing bark at each other. Chasing each other around and around. Laughing. Throwing bark at each other. Except for when they were in their base.
"I'm on my base, you can't hit me when I'm on my base"
"Oh is that your base? Cool. This is my base, under here"
"OK. Wait a minute."
"Can I get you now"
"Yep"
(Bark throwing recommences)
Within the rapidly evolving rules of the game, which itself is based on an activity (throwing bark) that is typically disallowed, these two children established a fundamental concept: "the Base". They understood the need for a Base. A place of retreat. To push pause. To recover.
And these children also understood that the idea of a base only works if we respect it. Nothing physically stops anyone from throwing bark while the other person is on their base. Just the social recognition and understand that its what we do around here.
Perhaps, it is because they understand that have a base, resting, retreating, pausing, recovering is all done for the sake of the game. Pausing is necessary to continue the game. Retreating to base was always followed by reengagement (Until an older sibling decided the game was over, and it was time to go home).
We need a Base, whether we go there weekly, annually of every few years. Whether we go for rest, for retreat, for recreation or for renewal. But we always return and reengage.
But a base is only a base if other people respect it.
How do our neighbourhoods support us to create, take and respect our bases?