Has ‘fun’ left your life? Do you feel you do not have time for fun because your life contains too many responsibilities? Each of us has a different perception of the value of fun in our lives. So ask yourself, “what are your feelings about having fun?”
Let’s start with a simple definition of fun: something that provides mirth or amusement, enjoyment, or playfulness.
I know that many people feel that life is challenging. We worry about family members, finances, relationships, our health, and many other concerns that find their way into our thoughts and lives. Do you feel that too many pressing issues require your attention, so you cannot afford to put time aside to have fun?
Fun is not frivolous; instead, it is an essential ingredient in the health of your body, mind, and spirit. It provides each of us with the necessary energy to heal and take care of ourselves. So how can you add more ‘fun’ into your life:
How do you find time to have fun when you are overwhelmed with so many other things in your life. Interestingly, when we make time to do what is necessary, we have more time to do what is essential. When the body gets a chance to release tension, it becomes more efficient to handle what comes our way.
The Difference Between Fun and Zoning Out
There is a definite difference between having fun and zoning out. Having fun takes a conscious effort on your part to engage in an activity that provides stimulation, laughter, engagement, and just plain fun. Whereas zoning out, one doesn’t think too much but instead sits down and watches. For example, TV – the biggest zoning out activity people choose.
Not to say, you can’t watch something stimulating on TV, yet ask yourself when you finish watching whatever you are watching, are you satisfied, feel like it was stimulating or fun, and if not, you are zoning out. Sometimes zoning out is just good to do at that moment in time. NO thinking, no extra effort to engage in something, just sitting there and letting go of a tough day. Nothing wrong with that, though you have to question whether it’s a habit that you indulge in regularly. So be aware when you are watching TV, how is it satisfying you, or are you switching from one station to another to distract yourself.
Create a list of the fun things you currently do and a separate list of what you can do that doesn’t cost money.
Not All About Money
Many people believe that fun always costs tons of money. Not true. I just spent a whole day with family members talking, eating together, playing cards, and just being with each other. Maybe a family day is typical, how about a walk in one of the many local parks, bringing a good friend or a great book, and enjoying being outside in the air.
Be Curious
Explore a new part of your town and see what it offers. Take a different route home from work or visiting someone. Have you always wanted to learn something, take the internet route and learn more about a subject. What about others? Do you ask questions and show your interest in what makes them tick. Curiosity is an ageless and powerful resource to add fun to your life.
Smile
A different idea around having fun – pick a day to smile at people. It doesn’t cost you anything, and it can be fun to see how many times you smile that day. I’ve tried this, and immediately I felt lighter during the day and felt good about myself. I was pleasantly surprised to see how many people responded to me with a smile. How contagious can you be with your smile?
Try Something New
It doesn’t have to be a big scary thing that you have always wanted to do. Instead, try something small or a small step towards what you still have to do. For example, if you have on your list to learn more about a topic or meet new people, how can you approach it with a fun attitude and try something small.
So You Want to Be Happy
As strange as it seems, the more fun you add to your life, the more positive you are when doing work, attending to the family, or paying the bills. Being happy is what people strive towards, and fun is vital to our well-being and happiness.
All Things We Do Can Be Fun
If we approach everything we do with an attitude of ‘fun,’ we will benefit from all that positive energy coming into our bodies. Our fun attitude will impact everyone we come into contact with during our day.
If at work, ask yourself what you could do that would be fun while working. For people doing a lot of data entry, maybe create a mini challenge for yourself, listen to music on your headphones, or have a contest with another person to see how much you can do in a day (quality work only).
With family, what can you do today to bring a smile to your face or your loved ones? If you are cooking, is it only about getting it done, or does how we do our activities count? What would it be like if we stayed present and enjoyed preparing the meal? I will tell you that this doesn’t add more time to your cooking — just more fun.
Exercise – take a walk or a run. Meet up with a buddy and get connected, releasing tension in your body.
Watch a funny movie or listen to comedians tell their funny jokes. You can get a lot of funny jokes on the internet, especially on YourTube.com. Norman Cousins wrote the book “Anatomy of an Illness” where he used laughter and Vitamin C to cure himself of a collagen illness.
Are You a Believer or a Non-Believer?
Believer
Fun is there for the taking. If you believe that you have the right to have fun and enjoy your life while on this earth, you will find many situations where fun can materialize and grow within your life. You will abundantly share this fun with others.
Non-Believer
If you believe that you don’t have a right to have fun, then find one small action today that brings a smile to your face where you can say, “I’m having fun.”
Fun Thoughts
Start writing down everything you are grateful for during your day. Start small and list three things, then work towards listing ten things you are thankful for every day. This way, you can see how fun is already in your life, so you must deserve to have good things in your life.
I’ve acknowledged how grateful I was for running water and didn’t go to the well to bring it back. Soaking in a warm tub is lots of fun. I’ve also written down how I’m thankful for my health, the money I currently have, the excellent dinner out with a friend, watching the sunrise and all its magnificence, and a simple yet delicious breakfast.
The list is endless, and this simple exercise in gratitude will help you become a believer in the power of fun in your life. Trust me that you will see a difference after one month of writing down what you are grateful for in your life.
In the smallest of moments in our journey through life is where fun resides, and quietly we feel pleasure flowing through our hearts and minds, and our bodies respond with a smile.
Your Thoughts
How do you have fun in your life?
Women’s Group Topic
Share how you have fun in your life, what makes you happy, and how you share the joy with others.
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If It’s Not Working, Change It
How Do You Deal with Worries and Problems?
Be well,
Pat
“To fully enjoy the ‘richness’ of our lives, we need to stop long enough to visit with ourselves.”
(Pat Brill)
