It seems the older we get, the more serious life becomes.
Or is George Bernard Shaw correct that becoming so serious is what ages us?
I admit that as I’ve gotten older, I’ve had to remind myself more and more often to have fun. Life demands so much of me — and when I say “life,”I mean “adulting.”
There’s no time left for playing when you come to the end of a day filled with responsibilities — all the “have to’s” and “you should’s” and “did you remember to’s.”
Stop and think about how fun it is to play — whatever that is for you that brings a smile to your face and causes you to laugh out loud.
Maybe it’s:
- a family game night playing Uno and Scrabble and Scotland Yard.
- time spent putting a puzzle together.
- kayaking on a lake with your spouse.
- painting or sketching.
- trying new recipes — or even having a family burger cook-off challenge.
- building block castles with a toddler and letting them knock it down, over and over again, just because it makes them laugh.
- hiking for the fun of it — not to reach a destination, but yes, to enjoy the journey — the outdoors, and the company of friends.
We often hear the phrase, “I’m too tired to adult today.” Maybe we’re so tired of adulting because it’s no fun. We’ve grown up and decided we have to stop having fun and be responsible and serious. Well, yes, real life demands that of us — there’s no getting around that truth. But I think we’d be better adults if we take the time to have fun … to laugh … to remember how good it it to play every once and a while — and then do just that.
In Your Words: If you could take a “play” break today, what would you do? I’d love for you to join the conversation and share with us what brings a smile to your face — maybe even what causes you to laugh out loud.
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Comments 8
If you can’t have fun while cleaning a mirror, look into the mirror itself; the Face of Foolishness you behold would make the Rushmore Four smile.
What I was trying to say…is that if one disdains the possibility of fun in the mundane, then there’s no real room for fun in the heart.
Still like the ‘Rushmore Four’ tag, though.
Author
Andrew: And yes, there can be fun in the mundane, but I think fun should be intentional, too. We can lose sight of fun in the mundane — and in the seriousness of life.
Author
Andrew … I was waiting for your comment today on fun. 🙂
I needed to be overly serious as a kid to survive, so have embraced opportunities for fun along with hard work ever since. I may come across as an overgrown kid, but I’m enjoying the journey–and much of it does involve literal travel but with a sense of adventure and discovery wherever I am.
Author
Dee: I’ve had some great fun with you — and love your smile. It’s infectious!
🙂
Beth, my oldest daughter and I have been working on a puzzle some today. It’s the first day it truly felt like summer. I didn’t have anything pressing on me today, and I could just stop and play. That little guilt feeling nudges in … like … you should be doing something more productive. But that time with my girl …
Author
That time with your girl is the best! Good luck with that puzzle, Shelli — and enjoy the playtime! 🙂