Are you serious?
“If you aren't having fun, then you aren't taking life seriously enough!”
-Indigenous Proverb
This past weekend, I had the great fortune to be a part of “Lightning in a Bottle,” an outdoor festival of yoga, meditation, music, consciousness, economics, sustainability and more up in the San Antonio Recreation Area. It was undoubtedly one of the most amazing experiences of my life and I had a PHENOMENAL time! It was there that I heard one of the indigenous elders speaking on various global topics state the Proverb quoted above. The wisdom of those words have been resonating with me ever since.I think this statement struck such a deep chord within me because I am coming out of a long stretch of not having very much fun. I’ve put my nose to the grind stone, without coming up for air for far too long. Sure, I’ve taken care of myself (via yoga, meditation, healing work, healthy eating) and I’ve enjoyed time with my family and friends, but felt like something was missing...and it dawned on me this past weekend that that something is PLAY… having FUN! Human beings NEED play to feel whole – it helps us to become integrated and informs all aspects of our lives.
So I asked myself: “Why wasn't I playing (apart from playing with my daughter)?” When I tuned in to how I felt within my body as I sat with the question, the answer immediately revealed itself, saying: ”I am afraid to play.” As a child, I played without self-consciousness, finding play in virtually everything I did. But, as I grew older, I became more concerned about "doing things right", comparing myself to others, and often felt like I didn't measure up. I’d tell myself things like:.. "I can't dance, I haven't been taught how," or "I can't sing in front of people, I don't have any training." So I strived to become an expert on various subjects, as if I needed a credential to qualify for the experience of fun! I would work away in solitude to get "good enough" to do these activities in public. Sounds awesome, huh? LOL
But now, I am SERIOUS about fun. And for me, this means gathering the courage to slay the dragon of fear that holds me back from expressing myself. It means being vulnerable enough to show people who I am. This past weekend, I danced, I sang, I jumped around, played with a hula-hoop, and ran around like a kid, and it was AMAZING! Laugh at me if you like. As I write this blog I can think of a few folks on this blog list that will tease me for the hula-hoop comment... To them, I say, "Take a leap through the fear to the other side… a world of wonder awaits you."
So, I ask you: “What does the little kid inside of YOU want to do that you aren't doing?” You deserve to have fun. But, if you’re like me, to get at the fun, you’ll need to tune-in to your desires and look at the resistance that dismisses it all as too silly, immature, or impractical. If you made it this far into this blog, then I know you are sincerely interested, so... What is the self-limiting belief that is holding you back from enjoying and celebrating life more? Is it, "I'm too busy", "I'm too old", "I'm not good enough", "I don't have anyone to do it with"? I invite you to let go of these false beliefs and give yourself the gift of more PLAY in your life. You deserve it!