TAKE FUN SERIOUSLY

As a child, I had fun. I remember running around, laughing, giggling, and being silly. I also remember being told to calm down, quiet down, and sit down. When I went off to school, my teachers called my fun by other names. My spontaneous laughter became disruptive behavior. My joke cracking became attention seeking. Being silly became a disciplinary problem. After many trips to the principal’s office, notes home, and parent conferences, I learned that fun was not allowed. By the time I finished elementary school, I was no longer a behavioral problem. School was no longer fun, nor was I.

For many of us, growing up is synonymous with putting our personal fun machines on idle. We get so busy with careers, paying bills, and carving out a life that we forget to maintain our fun machines. Over time, our neglect causes them to slow down, sputter, and stop.

For many years I envied people who really knew how to have fun. I had reached a point where I didn’t know how to let go, loosen up and have fun. I knew I needed a serious overhaul. I looked around for a manual like Fun for Dummies and couldn’t find one. So, I started looking for smiles, listening for laughter, and telling myself to Take Fun Seriously.

My efforts seem to be working. It is getting easier. I can tell I am making progress. I am smiling more. Occasionally, my behavior is slightly disruptive. My jokes are truly attention seeking. There are times when my silliness brings puzzled looks to peoples’ faces which is really neat. I am having fun again.

Today is a great day to rev up the fun machine. Find smiles, listen for laughter and Take Fun Seriously!