A
s you immerse yourself in serious endeavors, do you notice you are having a great deal of fun? The key to having fun while pursuing serious endeavors is to remember all activities are a learning experience.
Or do you have barriers to having fun wherever you are? Some common beliefs include:
• Having fun at work or school is foolish, immature, and irresponsible.
• What will people think of me, if they see me acting so unprofessional?
• It's OK to have fun once in awhile, but you have to come back to reality.
• It is impossible to have fun when you have all my responsibilities.
• Fun is a waste of time.
• It is selfish to indulge in personal, fun things.
• I'll wait until I retire to really enjoy myself.
• I can't relax/have fun until I am financially secure.
• You have got to be ‘kooky’ to have fun at work.
• One must be ‘serious’ about work to be successful, or to be a winner.
• How can I maintain my image of authority if I have fun with my children, co-workers, students, et al.
• It is impossible to coordinate having `fun’ while working—people will become distracted and forget to get the job done.
• The only way I have fun is hanging out, drinking, having a joint, gambling, eating, shopping, having sex, smoking, etc.
• It takes away from family unity to indulge in individual, fun activities.
• One needs to maintain a serious outlook on life in order to be successful.
• Having fun is OK for the ‘other guy’ but not for me.
• To have fun takes a lot of money. I don't have enough money.
• Fun is short lived.
• The only fun things are immoral, illicit, illegal, or fattening.
• Fun and play is bad if it becomes an end in itself.
• I feel guilty when I'm doing nothing, relaxing.
• Sleep is the only way to relax.
Allowing yourself to have fun no matter where you are can be difficult if you have one or more of these beliefs. However, it is well worth knocking the barrier down and living life with gusto.
Using your imagination to entertain yourself instead of relying on outside factors to stimulate joyous feelings within you, and your overall attitude may be intensely upbeat and enthusiastic. You can also encourage others to feel happy by inviting them to share in your enjoyment by telling light hearted stories or funny amusing stories, laughing at yourself or helping them see that life can be a playground instead of something to endure.
Your ability to derive pleasure from what you deem fun is a personal perspective. Your imagination is intimately related to your senses, so you can have fun when you allow your mind to be whimsical and creative.
When your primary goal is to enjoy the moment, whatever the nature of the circumstances unfolding before you, you can do so without forethought or preparation. You do not need to wait for any special happenings or events to articulate the innate playfulness that exists with you. Rather, you can enjoy the world around you, ensuring that you have reason to laugh, smile and be happy. If you focus on having fun no matter what you are doing, you will find many ways to enjoy the moment when you recognize the fluid nature of fun.
About The Author
Dorothy M. Neddermeyer, PhD, author, 101 Great Ways To Improve Your Life, motivational speaker and Mind, Body, Spirit healing. As an inspirational leader, Dr. Neddermeyer empowers people to view life's challenges as an opportunity for Personal/Professional Growth and Spiritual Awakening.
http://www.drdorothy.net
Back To The Cover
Spirit and Self
