Today a group of us went to a friend’s house and played games and had a potluck. We also did this over the New Year weekend. I have been known to go away for game marathon weekends to “play” all weekend long. I must admit to being somewhat competitive: I have mellowed from when I was younger and winning was everything. Now I consider playing games as a way to pass some time with friends who like to laugh. Do I still like to win? Yes! But it doesn’t mean I am better than or smarter than the others … maybe just a bit luckier if I do win. I notice that I might not be as sharp as I once was; the answers might get stuck on the tip of my tongue and never even emerge … but we sure laugh a lot! And with the right games … the answers might provoke some interesting discussions and we all learn a lot about each other. Maybe it’s just the sense of connectivity we all get.
I remember when my kids were playing various sports at the YMCA when they were young. They never let them keep track of the score because playing wasn’t supposed to be about winning. This always annoyed me a bit because when the kids would score a basket they would always look up at the scoreboard to see it reflected up there, and you could see the disappointment on their faces when they realized it wasn’t there. It always seemed unnatural and pointless to me. But I digress …
Sometimes you just need to give yourself permission to play and actually plan it in your lives. Take some time away from your expectations of yourself and the stress in your life and schedule it in your planner. Spend some time thinking about what you enjoy doing that makes you laugh. I find that even mundane activities are more fun when shared with friends. Be spontaneous: if it is snowing, go for a walk in the snow or go sledding with your kids. Walk in the woods and tip a branch on yourself and/or others just to have the avalanche of snow-laden boughs fall on you. Play in a pile of leaves in the fall or go for a swim in a roadside stream on a hot summer day. Be willing to let your inner child come out and guide you since you may have forgotten what makes you smile. Don’t put off having fun because you have a bunch of “to-do’s” on your list. Find a project or hobby that you enjoy, or take a class. Find others who share your interests … let them know yours. Have an e-mail of fun, like-minded friends who can broadcast to the group when they want to do something that’s fun to see if anyone else is interested in joining in. Many people stay home because they are lonely and would jump at the chance to have fun. You never know who … until you ask. Look in local papers for fun things to do. Life is truly about connecting with others and spending joyful time together, creating memories. Start a book club, join a mastermind group, go to the movies together, do some scrapbooking, join a tennis league, take belly dancing lessons, go out to eat, spend a night or weekend at a local spa … whatever puts a smile on your face. Laugh, have fun and be creative! Let me know your fun-loving thoughts …