Have Some Fun Every Day!

Are you a serious sort of person?  I have a tendency to be that way.  When I am involved in a project or task for which I am responsible, I tend to get really intense.  Yet I don't want to lose sight of the need to enjoy every moment or to "stop and smell the roses" along the way.  Can you relate?  It can be easy to get so wrapped up in our roles as mother, wife, employee, employer, and citizen of the human race that we forget how important it is to have fun (a lot of fun!) along the way. 

Mary and I on a recent trip to San Francisco (another hilarious adventure!)

Luckily, I have a good friend who models what I need to heed--to incorporate laughter and fun into daily life.  My friend's name is Mary.  She is truly a fun person to be around. Thoughtful, intelligent, caring, truly loving, and with such a quick wit--Mary has perfected the art of seeing life through the eyes of fun. She's a great example of someone who can role with the punches.

Thanks to Mary, I've relocated the fun and carefree girl within myself.  She gives me the courage to ring out the joy and spontaneity that most of us so closely guard once we become adults.  Never is this more true that when the two of us used to go get our nails done.  Nothing was more fun than going for a manicure with Mary.  As you may have experienced, the mood in most nail salons is rather solemn or stale.  I recall one day when she and I were getting our nails done together and upon hearing the Beatles's tune "Imagine" we started singing.  At the top of our lungs we sang--not necessarily on key!  Now, you can imagine how singing out loud in a salon is going to get some strange looks--and most people will think you're either crazy or you've forgotten to take your medication!  But that's not what happened this time.  The lady to my left, genuinely entertained, broke out in a belly laugh and thanked us for lightening up on her stressful day.   And the salon operators  were so amused that they started laughing and chattering merrily among themselves in their native language.  We couldn't understand what they were saying and that made us laugh even more.

Yes, I know this all sounds a little goofy and not the best example of fun--it certainly doesn't compare to a ski trip or a tropical vacation.  Still, a dose of lighthearted fun can remind us that fun is also within our repertoire of emotions.  We are meant to have fun.  And our lives are meant to be fun:  were to smile and laugh and act as though we're genuinely happy. to be alive and truly blessed to have been given the time we're each allowed.

I encourage you to find your own "Mary"--or better yet, become one--and build fun and laughter into your life.  Find a way to lighten up your life on a daily basis.  In fact, the Bible tells us that we should conduct ourselves with happy hearts.  "...the cheerful heart has a continual feast."  Proverbs 15:15b
I believe that God wants us to be fun to be around because "a cheerful look brings joy to the heart." Proverbs 15:30."

*The above recollection is part of a story I wrote which was included in my co-authored book,
 "Woman To Woman Wisdom."  Since it was published seven years ago a lot in my life has changed.  I can honestly say that I have really learned not to "sweat the small stuff" and prayerfully, but with a fun attitude, face each day as it presents itself.  I always try to find something to be happy about and I continue to look for simple ways to have fun!  (and I also still hang-out with Mary!)

Do you take yourself too seriously?  Do you have a tendency to dwell on negative situations which will not only bring you down but also affect the happiness of those around you?  If you fail to have any fun in life I challenge you to reframe your thinking so that you might begin to lighten your load. Once you do this you can see more clearly God's hand at work in your life.

God is blessing you.  Donna