As someone who loves to laugh and live life, it distresses me to see people who merely go through the motions of living. Whether or not you’ve come to realize it, you may be one of these people. Some people attribute this to a loss or suppression of the fabled “inner child” while some cynics point to the high demands of a commercially driven society. I say it’s a bit of both.
So now that we’ve identified the problem and zeroed in on two possible causes, what do we do about it? The answer is simple: Live!
Some people are honestly afraid to live their life to the fullest. Here’s how I look at it: When I’m taking my last breath, am I going to think, “Gee, I wish I’d done that when I had the chance…”? I don’t want that. I want to think, “That was so worth it.”
Keep in mind that I’m talking about things that don’t necessarily have to be so large-scale as to be a life-altering experience. I’m talking about the little things that make life special. For instance, who says that waffles have to be breakfast food? And when did it become illegal for adults to race shopping carts across an empty parking lot? Don’t be afraid to do the little things that bring a smile to your face- and undoubtedly others’!- just because you don’t want to look silly.
Here’s an example for you:
Last week, I was doing some grocery shopping for my mom at nine at night. By that time, most people are tired and just want to go home. You’re lucky if you can get a strained smile out of your cashier. Well I had just wandered into the produce department and was eyeing some fantabulous berries when a fun, upbeat song began playing on the overhead radio. Before I knew it, I was humming and dancing my way around to the apples and pears. Of course, as I was really getting into it, the produce manager and an elderly woman rounded the corner and I was caught red-handed. (Be aware that my dancing has been compared to the movements of an angry mosquito.)
I wasn’t in trouble. There’s no law against dancing and humming. And I didn’t get looks of disapproval. If anything, it was approval I received. Later, when we met up again in the checkout line, the old lady even told me that I’d made her evening. So if dancing brings a smile to your face and the faces of others, why don’t we do it more often?
Now there are some places where dancing and humming may be inappropriate (I wouldn’t recommend humming Tchaikovsky’s 1812 Overture at your Aunt Mildred’s funeral), but it’s perfectly fine in most places.
So don’t be afraid to do fun things. Don’t. I’ll admit to a moment or two of hypocrisy (I’ll choke on an olive before I ask a guy out on a date), but I’m working on that. You guys can work on it with me.
For those of you who aren’t quite sure what to do to achieve the desired effects, here are some ideas:
- Sing along to the radio on your way to work. Groove, even. If you pull up to a red light and the person in the car next to you gives you a funny look, smile at them and sing louder.
- If you have hardwood, tile, marble, or linoleum floors, put on your best pair of socks and see how far and how fast you can slide.
- The next time you go to an amusement park, get in line for that terrifying free-fall ride you’ve stayed away from your whole life. Remember what I said about regretting not having done something when taking that final breath? Go ahead. Be an adrenaline junkie for at least two minutes out of your life.
- It doesn’t always pay to play it safe; brighten up your work outfit with brightly colored/patterned socks when you go in on Monday.
- You know that urge to dance that you get when you’re listening to the radio and eating a bowl of cereal? Yeah, I bet you already know what I’m going to say. Dance! Dance like you mean it!
- Smile at a stranger. This is a biggie.
- Even better- strike up a conversation with a stranger.
- Climb a tree. Any tree. And when you get to the top, look down at all of the little ants (aka pedestrians) and picture little targets on top of their heads (I call this “pigeon vision”). On your way down, pause to hang upside down on one of the branches.
- Drag your friends and bystanders into your antics.
- Take a nap. When you wake up, have a glass of milk and some cookies. For those of you who are, sadly, diabetic, swap out that milk with juice or rootbeer. No bottled water!
These are just a few of the many things you can do. Do whatever makes you feel alive as long as it doesn’t harm others. If one person out of every one hundred were to do something fun, and that inspires two other people- well, let’s not get into the multiplier effect. Let’s just say that maybe we can convince people to put some more pizzazz into their lives.
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Alive?
September 9, 2006
As someone who loves to laugh and live life, it distresses me to see people who merely go through the motions of living. Whether or not you’ve come to realize it, you may be one of these people. Some people attribute this to a loss or suppression of the fabled “inner child” while some cynics point to the high demands of a commercially driven society. I say it’s a bit of both.
So now that we’ve identified the problem and zeroed in on two possible causes, what do we do about it? The answer is simple: Live!
Some people are honestly afraid to live their life to the fullest. Here’s how I look at it: When I’m taking my last breath, am I going to think, “Gee, I wish I’d done that when I had the chance…”? I don’t want that. I want to think, “That was so worth it.”
Keep in mind that I’m talking about things that don’t necessarily have to be so large-scale as to be a life-altering experience. I’m talking about the little things that make life special. For instance, who says that waffles have to be breakfast food? And when did it become illegal for adults to race shopping carts across an empty parking lot? Don’t be afraid to do the little things that bring a smile to your face- and undoubtedly others’!- just because you don’t want to look silly.
Here’s an example for you:
Last week, I was doing some grocery shopping for my mom at nine at night. By that time, most people are tired and just want to go home. You’re lucky if you can get a strained smile out of your cashier. Well I had just wandered into the produce department and was eyeing some fantabulous berries when a fun, upbeat song began playing on the overhead radio. Before I knew it, I was humming and dancing my way around to the apples and pears. Of course, as I was really getting into it, the produce manager and an elderly woman rounded the corner and I was caught red-handed. (Be aware that my dancing has been compared to the movements of an angry mosquito.)
I wasn’t in trouble. There’s no law against dancing and humming. And I didn’t get looks of disapproval. If anything, it was approval I received. Later, when we met up again in the checkout line, the old lady even told me that I’d made her evening. So if dancing brings a smile to your face and the faces of others, why don’t we do it more often?
Now there are some places where dancing and humming may be inappropriate (I wouldn’t recommend humming Tchaikovsky’s 1812 Overture at your Aunt Mildred’s funeral), but it’s perfectly fine in most places.
So don’t be afraid to do fun things. Don’t. I’ll admit to a moment or two of hypocrisy (I’ll choke on an olive before I ask a guy out on a date), but I’m working on that. You guys can work on it with me.
For those of you who aren’t quite sure what to do to achieve the desired effects, here are some ideas:
- Sing along to the radio on your way to work. Groove, even. If you pull up to a red light and the person in the car next to you gives you a funny look, smile at them and sing louder.
- If you have hardwood, tile, marble, or linoleum floors, put on your best pair of socks and see how far and how fast you can slide.
- The next time you go to an amusement park, get in line for that terrifying free-fall ride you’ve stayed away from your whole life. Remember what I said about regretting not having done something when taking that final breath? Go ahead. Be an adrenaline junkie for at least two minutes out of your life.
- It doesn’t always pay to play it safe; brighten up your work outfit with brightly colored/patterned socks when you go in on Monday.
- You know that urge to dance that you get when you’re listening to the radio and eating a bowl of cereal? Yeah, I bet you already know what I’m going to say. Dance! Dance like you mean it!
- Smile at a stranger. This is a biggie.
- Even better- strike up a conversation with a stranger.
- Climb a tree. Any tree. And when you get to the top, look down at all of the little ants (aka pedestrians) and picture little targets on top of their heads (I call this “pigeon vision”). On your way down, pause to hang upside down on one of the branches.
- Drag your friends and bystanders into your antics.
- Take a nap. When you wake up, have a glass of milk and some cookies. For those of you who are, sadly, diabetic, swap out that milk with juice or rootbeer. No bottled water!
These are just a few of the many things you can do. Do whatever makes you feel alive as long as it doesn’t harm others. If one person out of every one hundred were to do something fun, and that inspires two other people- well, let’s not get into the multiplier effect. Let’s just say that maybe we can convince people to put some more pizzazz into their lives.
Like this: