It is week seven of exploring the Life Balance Wheel, and we are going to talk about F.U.N.
How much fun do you have in your life, and if given the opportunity and time, do you easily give yourself self-permission to have fun?
Although experiencing "fun and recreation" in life sounds easy, many people struggle with this area. You see, this area is actually a bit complex as it can reveal a lot about old and deep conditioning.
Let's begin with the barometer of FUN. If I looked at your daily calendar for the last month or so, would I see a calendar filled with work, meetings, chores, and responsibilities? Would I see that you intentionally blocked off at least one hour or two just to have fun each week?
Imagine if they added an eighth day to the calendar–what would you do with that extra day? Most likely, much of what you did for the first seven days.
Could you give yourself permission to create a full day of fun and, would you easily know what to do? Or would you get up, clean something, organize something else, find someone to save, and maybe if time and energy were remaining, have fun at the end of the day?
And if you were to have fun, would it be going shopping, watching a movie or going to dinner? Not that those aren't enjoyable but has your fun been much of the same for the last decade or better?
These are all important questions. How you answer them can reveal a lot about your state of inner joy and contentment. In fact, I have noticed that individuals who scored high in this category often have a life, or wheel, that is full and balanced.
So let's talk about the obstacles that get in the way of inviting more joy and fun into our lives. The number one excuse is, "I forgot how to have fun!" The second is "I don't have enough time."
Now, before you start blaming and judging yourself, I'd like to suggest that it was probably your conditioning growing up that encouraged this current state.
When I was a child, my mom used to say, "you can't go out and play until your chores are done!" As an adult, I have come to realize that the chores were never done! Being responsible had become, and often still is such a habit.
Somewhere around the age of forty, I became aware that I had forgotten how to have fun. I knew how to encourage others and make room for them to experience fun but forgot to include myself! Leaning towards suffering and sacrifice has been easy but joyless! And it's a hard habit to break.
So, for a large part of the last fifteen years, I've been exploring new ways to invite joy into my life. They are not necessarily the same things I did when I was twenty, nor does it have to be big and complicated like bungee jumping or traveling the world.
For example, I love kayaking and hiking. I discovered painting as an adult and find time practicing yoga and meditation to be delightful. I thoroughly enjoy listening to podcasts, exploring museums, and attending music venues.
The goal is to keep trying something new. However, it does begin with inviting the question of "what is fun for M.E. today, and how can I consciously make a commitment to add more fun into my life.”
Fun is a very personal question.
Fun fills our well. Because when our well is full, it makes life so much easier. Filling our well can include personal growth, meaningful connections, caring for our health, purpose-driven work, creative expression, and conscious F.U.N.
Did you know that the average child laughs one hundred and fifty times a day, the average adult once, maybe twice?!
Consider, how often do you laugh? How much fun do you have in your life, and do you give yourself permission to have fun?
Give your "FUN" a number.
We're nearing the end of the wheel, so check back next week as we are going to talk about your physical environment.