“The place to be happy is here. The time to be happy is now.”
~Robert G. Ingersoll
Have you experienced the amazing power of laughter and fun to bring you effortlessly into the present moment?
What is so fabulous about having fun, is that our attention is focused on the present moment and our concerns and anxieties seem to melt away if for even for a moment. When we are mindful and having fun, we are not stuck in regret about the past or fear about the future, and our experience of joy, peace, and happiness increase.
Unfortunately, it is difficult to have fun when we are overwhelmed, exhausted, and stressed from too many responsibilities, an overloaded schedule, and all the suffering in the world. To add insult to injury, our multiple electronic devices alert us constantly to all of our overwhelming demands and the latest crisis in the news. Our nervous systems end up being on high alert most of the time and thus we are in desperate need of the healing power of mindfulness and fun!
Remember how easy it was to have fun as a child? Our work was play and so we were encouraged and expected to go out and play. Since we know things have changed with our increased responsibility, we are going to have to give ourselves permission to find more ways to be present in our day and invite more fun into our lives. Do you think you are up for the task?
If so, I want to invite you to bring a spirit of curiosity, wonder, and joy into your life by having more fun. Start by identifying what is fun for you. Then allow yourself to go for it and have fun. If you are struggling to make it happen, schedule fun in your calendar so you actually prioritize the time for fun. I promise that you will enjoy the benefits rights away and that fun will ripple out into your life and you will find more opportunities to have fun in your day.
There are so many ideas for having fun including: playing with a child or pet, walking in nature or on the beach, dancing to music you love, laughing with a friend, smiling at people in your day, riding a bike, writing a gratitude list, or playing a game. The great thing about fun is that it can be spontaneous and take only moments or be planned and take the whole day. The choice is yours! As your act of self-nurturing this week have fun and notice how present it allowed you to be.
May you choose mindfulness and the power of fun as you continue to nurture peace in the world from the inside out!
Sending you so much peace, love and gratitude,
Kelley Grimes, M.S.W.
Counselor, Author & Speaker
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Thank you Kelley for such a beautiful blog.
I love the list and I am in. I am going to bring in more fun in my life in every possible way.
Laughter is medicine and the great thing about it is there is no overdose. You can take as much as you desire.
I totally agree Leila! There is nothing more healing than a good laugh. I am so glad that you are going to bring more fun into your life and I can’t wait to hear how it’s healing power ripples out into your life!
Beautiful reminders that anyone can tap into presence quickly and effortlessly!
I love that we can all become more present with ourselves and each other quickly and easily Peggy! Thank you so much for your kind comment!
Great article Kelley! One of my fav quotes on play is by Dr. Stuart Brown, “the opposite of play is not work—the opposite of play is depression.” Lightheartedness brings us into the presence of our heart center and that’s where we tap into the present moment free of anxiety and depression. xo
Yes I love that fun brings us into the presence of our heart center Debra and allows us to give and receive more love in the present moment! Thank you so much for the quote and comment!
Happiness is an inside job, and joy is its vehicle! All I have to do is spend some time with my 4 year old great-grandson to remember how to laugh like a child!
Spending time with children makes being mindful and having fun so easy and I love your reminder that happiness is an inside joy and joy is its vehicle Barb! Thank you!
I find that having fun creates an interesting cycle. Once I reach the right balance, almost everything feels like fun. Thanks!
Thank you for your insightful comment Andrea!
I love the fun-factor Kelley! Sometimes I refer to it as what whimsy can you add to your day? Give yourself permission to laugh at yourself instead of tearing yourself down. example: Yesterday, I had my 6 month old niece here. I changed her diaper and had both her pj’s to toss down the stairs for washing as well as her diaper to dispose of. Guess which one went down the stairs first? -yes, you guessed it! Instead of engaging in negative self talk, I literally bursted out laughing at myself and thanking the powers that be that it was not a dirty diaper full of #2!!! -lol! While it wasn’t fun, I chose laughter and I think that counts!
Such a great story Crystal and I love that you choose to laugh. I really appreciate your comment!
Fun, play, laughter – thanks for the reminders! Very healthy and necessary for everyone!
I totally agree Meghan! Thank you for your comment!
I love all the activities we have here in Milwaukee. I’ve been enjoying as much fun as possible. It makes for a wonderful life. Summer is so short, it’s important to take it all in.
What a joy it is to read this fun article full of reminders to play and laugh. Life if an amazing adventure; it was never intended to be lived in gray-scale.
Life is an amazing adventure Cindy and playing and laughing is so vital to enjoying it! Thank you so much for your comment.