The most important word starting with F.
Fun. Obviously.
The reason fun is so important is because when you’re having fun, you are present in the moment, in the Now. And that is the best place to be in at all times. I think I’ve made my point and should end this blog right now, but I’m afraid if I do that, none of you will ever visit my blog again.
So. Here’s a few more (hundred) words on fun. (Because obviously fun should be never-ending.)
I’ve always been flummoxed when people talk about fun like it’s something toxic. Like ‘He just wants to have fun all the time!’ or ‘It’s always fun and games for you, isn’t it?’ Now why is that such a bad thing? Is it not possible to have fun no matter what you’re doing? Ok, I agree it’s not ‘fun’ when you’re running the last mile of a race, or studying for an exam. But imagine having to go through life ONLY doing the hard things. So it’s ok to seek fun, as long as you’re not neglecting your responsibilities (bah! I know how politically correct that sounds). Isn’t that why you wanna go drink some beers after the race? Or go on vacation after exams? Because you deserve some fun after all that hard work?
Also, when people describe themselves as fun-loving (as I do as well), I wonder if there are actually people who are NOT fun loving? Like can you imagine a person saying, ‘No, I don’t want to watch ‘Seinfeld’ because it’s just too much fun and my soul rebels at the thought of it?’ Or ‘I cannot go dancing because it’s sinful to have that much fun!’ Yes, I know there are religious sects and puritans who actually believe that. But I’m going to assume they don’t read my blog.
Here are some reasons why I think fun is supremely important in life.
1. Fun is Joy
Fun, to me, equals joy in a pure, unadulterated form. Like a bunch of children playing tag having so much fun that they don’t notice how blazing hot the sun is. Or laughing at jokes with your siblings that only you four will understand, or goofing around with your partner with no thought of anything but how adorably silly he/she is, and maybe how much your stomach aches with laughter. In that moment, you are not worried that the world is looking at you weirdly, or that this relationship might or not last forever. But these ARE the moments that actually help build those bonds of love that make it possible for relationships to last longer.
2. Fun makes the world a better place
Have you ever walked down Brigade road with your best friend eating ice-cream cones and been terribly unhappy about the broken pavement? It’s hard to look at how dirty a bowling alley is, when you’re killing your opponent. Everything, and I mean everything, looks better when you’re having fun, with or without anyone. Also, when you’re having fun, you radiate a positive energy that infects your surroundings, and that is an amazing gift to give to the world.
3. Fun makes you a better person
Don’t you just love a person who doesn’t take themselves too seriously and can laugh at everyday silliness? It simply means that they can enjoy the simple things in life, be it playing with their dog, or sing tunelessly along with the radio just because they can’t help themselves. It means that you are in touch with yourself, and are present to your surroundings in a positive way. It means that you are paying attention. And that is pretty much the best investment of time for yourself and those around you.
4. Fun leads to better relationships
Having fun with someone simply means that you enjoy spending time with them. Why? Because that makes YOU feel good. A family that laughs over the dinner table, for instance, tends to spend more time together, which results in being more close-knit. Friends that enjoy a sport or hobby together tend to forgive each other faster. A couple that meets for recreational purposes tend to seek out each other more than those who meet only for procreational purposes. (Although of course, recreation and procreation are not mutually exclusive.)
So this is a plea to embrace your fun-loving side and not feel guilty over having too much fun (FYI there’s no such thing as ‘too much fun’). And sometimes even the hard things can be fun, once you do them. Like running. Or writing this blog was, for me. I haven’t written in a long time and it was a REAL struggle getting out of the inertia, but now that I’ve written this, I’m thinking, ‘That was Fun!’
