Life Is Fun
LIFE IS FUN!!! Wouldn’t you agree?
The word FUN speaks for itself and rarely requires definition or interpretation. Nearly everybody likes to have fun. But did you know that fun has a serious side and is actually good for you? I’m not kidding!
One of the main by-products of fun is laughter. When you laugh, your brain releases endorphins – natural feel-good chemicals – into your blood stream, or what I lovingly refer to as “free drugs.” Not only does a big belly-laugh make you feel good physically, there is evidence to show that laughing also helps you heal faster and can aid in the prevention of certain medical conditions such as high blood pressure, tense muscles, stress and anxiety which can lead to heart disease and other crappy stuff. As Reader’s Digest says, “Laughter is the best medicine.” So take every opportunity you can to laugh. It may save you from a $200 trip to the doctor and having to wear one of those “open-ended” gowns.
Beyond the desire to reduce your medical spending, the best reason for making fun a priority in your life is you will mentally feel better. You’ll be more refreshed and able to do the things you want and need to do with ease. You know…that feeling of walking on air or with a spring in your step. You’re thoughts will be more care-free and light. Heck – you might actually look forward to getting out of bed or feel like high-fiving the garbage man!
While it’s agreed that everybody likes to have fun, there are a couple of things that can jam the dial on our fun-o-meters. Aside from the day-to-day pressures of work, family, finances, health issues, or walking in shoes that look great but hurt like hell, the biggest reason people don’t let loose and have fun is because they’re worried what everyone else will think of them. Having fun might cause embarrassment. You may get weird looks or even whispers behind your back. Insecurities fly like skeet at a shooting range. I could more effectively address this issue in detail by writing a blog post about staying in your own business and out of “their” business, and someday I will. But today let me just offer, “SO WHAT? WHO CARES?” It’s not like you’ve been included in their last will and testament! Boogie on with your bad self and get your fun on!
If you’re happy, the people around you will be happy – if they choose to be. If they don’t want to be happy, it’s simply not your problem. Don’t give up your joy to please a Debbie Downer who wants to suck the life out of you. If I cared what people thought of me –I couldn’t possibly have as much fun as I do.
The esteemed Dr. Suess said, “Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don’t matter and those who matter don’t mind.” If he weren’t dead, I’d ask if he were taking new patients.
If having more fun sounds like – well, fun…here are three simple ways you can crank up your fun-o-meter starting today:
1. Dance like nobody’s watching – or like you don’t care if they are. I know it’s hard to believe, but my sons get embarrassed when I pick them up from school and spontaneously break out dancing and singing “All The Single Ladies”. But who do you think gets voted “most fun mom” every year? If the spirit moves you – DANCE!!! Wherever you happen to be. Music is optional.
2. Speaking of music, the next time you get in your car, crank up the radio and sing at the top of your lungs. Pound your hands on the steering wheel and bang your head to Bohemian Rhapsody, opera, rap, NPR – whatever you happen to be listening to. Continue this action fervently and especially when you’re at a red light. And make sure the people in the car next to you and everyone on the street sees you and shoot ‘em the big thumbs up and a big smile.
3. If all else fails – carry a bubble gun. There’s something magic about bubbles that makes you smile and reminds you of fun. The world would be a better and cleaner place if all guns shot soap and made you laugh!
LIFE IS FUN!!! I invite you to reap the benefits of having more fun starting today. It will keep you happy – which will keep you healthy. It doesn’t matter what other people think (you’re not in their will!) And it’s as easy as dancing, singing, and adding bubbles.