"Live and work but do not forget to play...to have fun in life and really enjoy it." -Eileen Caddy
When I was a kid, going outside to play was like second nature. No matter what the season or time of day, I was always up for swimming, biking, sledding, or just running around and getting dirty until it was time for bed. Nothing bothered me--mosquitoes, heat, cold, you name it--I just wanted to have fun.
Now that I am older, I still love to have fun, but sometimes, it feels like it is more of a chore to get going. I find myself complaining...it's too hot, it's too cold, I'm too tired, I don't feel like it...OK, am I serious? When I was younger, I would have given up days of sleep just to hang out with my friends, be outdoors playing, or just being around people that made me happy. So why is it so hard to get motivated now?
Don't get me wrong...I still enjoy having a good time, but I think in my stressed out state (aka The Old Me!), I would sometimes choose to just veg or be a blob when I could have been out enjoying life. I think I lost sight of the fact that playing does so much for the spirit...it recharges you, it brightens your day, and it can remind you how fortunate you are to have such great people in your life. So, as part of the 180 plan, I am trying to take advantage of every opportunity to PLAY. Yes, I still have to work and make money and pay bills, but I am going to spend as little time as possible on the couch (unless, of course, I am blogging) and as much time as I can enjoying the company of friends and loved ones. Fortunately, I have a lot of great people who love to play as much as I do! I am lucky!
Tonight my husband and I had my sister and brother in law over our house. We spent the night laughing, talking, and playing Rock Band. You should see us...we really get into it. I'm on drums, the guys are on guitar and bass, and my sister is our rocking lead singer. We have other amazing musicians who guest star from time to time, including my brother and some other good friends. It's a lot of fun pretending to be rock stars for the night...plus, it's comfortable because we are lounging around on bean bag chairs, it's totally inexpensive (just the cost of snacks), and it's just a bunch of silly people having fun together. Call us a bunch of video game geeks. We don't care. We are proud! And, we are counting down the days until the new Beatles Rock Band game comes out on 9/9...if anyone wants to join the Beatles Rock Band party, let me know! You are totally invited!
QUESTIONS FOR YOU: Do you play? What do you like to do for fun? Do you get as much play time as you'd like? If not, what's holding you back?
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I love to play. I love to spend time with friends and play Rock Band or whatever crazy video game is around that we can all do together.
ReplyDeleteAdmittedly, it's a bit easier to find "play" in Orlando, especially when you have free tickets to Disney World whenever you like. But I really love it when people come to visit me because it's an extra excuse to go and play and share my super cool work place with them AND I love surprising them with "magical moments". I feel so blessed to have a job that is all about play. I get to make jokes and funny faces and pretend to be British on a regular basis! When I host karaoke I get to sing and encourage others to sing and dance and make them feel really good about themselves - even if they belt out some bad notes. Who cares?! It's all about play.
I love getting outside and riding my bike. I used to do this all the time when I was a kid. I forgot how fun it was until, about 2 years ago, my friend gave me an old bike he had lying around. I had it refurbished and now bike around my neighborhood all the time. Back in the 80's I'd bike downtown to the news store buy candy, these days I bike to the post office to drop off my Netflix, but it's still fun!
I never got into biking as an adult, but I remember LOVING my bike when I was a kid. I always say I am going to get back into biking but I haven't yet. It is appealing, though!
ReplyDeleteUm...did you say FREE DISNEY TICKETS? I will be down there next week...can I pretend to be you for the day? :)