“We do not quit playing because we grow old. We grow old because we quit playing.” —Oliver Wendell Holmes
As the summer season reaches its peak, it’s the perfect time to let loose, embrace your inner child, and infuse some playfulness into your days.
Let’s face it: we often underestimate the power of fun, prioritizing hard work and seriousness (Yep, that’s me). But hey, it’s time to give a well-deserved shout-out to the light-hearted and joyous side of life—where silliness and laughter reign supreme.
Think about the incredible feeling that follows a hearty burst of laughter. It melts away stress, opens our hearts, and makes us more eager to connect with others.
After a good laugh, we find ourselves strolling down the street with a smile, and guess what? That positive energy is contagious! We inspire smiles in those we pass by, who then go on to brighten the day of others they encounter. Witnessing this beautiful chain reaction makes you wonder if having fun might just be one of the most powerful tools we have to change the world.
Laughter is, without a doubt, good medicine. And the best part? We all have this magical remedy at our fingertips. All it takes is recalling a funny story or letting go of inhibitions to act a little silly.
Maybe you’ve given up your dancing-on-the-tables days (I know I have 😉), but you can still dance in your friend’s kitchen when the song “We are Family” begins playing.
According to Catherine Price, in her book The Power of Fun: How to Feel Alive Again, the first step is knowing the signs of True Fun. These signs include:
- Laughter
- A sense of release/letting go/freedom
- Losing track of time
- Feeling like you’re having a special, shared experience
- Feeling free of self-judgment and self-consciousness
Last night, I enjoyed True Fun as we gathered with friends for a backyard Pizza Palooza 🎉🍕(True Fun sometimes comes with silly names). We lost all track of time as we laughed and connected over stories of our recent successes and failures. I even said out loud, “Now that was truly fun!”
In case you missed this above and because we all need a reminder:
“We do not quit playing because we grow old. We grow old because we quit playing.” —Oliver Wendell Holmes
For the week ahead, simply pay attention to those moments where you notice a boost in positive energy or when you feel totally yourself.
Who are you with in those moments? When does it feel like you’ve stepped out of “normal life” even for a few minutes?
These experiences might last only moments or several hours. They may be mind-blowing or mild. Simply notice…because your life is what you pay attention to.
What will you pay attention to this week?
So, my dear friend, let’s make a pinky-promise to inject some playfulness into the remaining days of this glorious summer season.
Embrace the contagious power of laughter and share the joy with those around you.
Finally, remember that having fun is not only a gift to ourselves, but also a spark that can ignite positive change in the world.
Wishing you endless laughter and playful adventures during these dog days of summer.
