It's Fun to have Fun, But You have to Know How to Get Started

"I think dogs are the most amazing creatures; they give unconditional love. For me they are the role model for being alive." Gilda Radner

Its Fun to have Fun, But you have to Know How--to get Started

"Susan--I spend all my time working--or thinking about what I need to do--so I'm missing out on having fun. Your article on 'Having Fun' helped me--but I just don't know how to get started. Maybe you can give me a suggestion to help me start to play." Cynthia

Cynthia, If you want to be a 'Happy Dog' who knows how to play, as Dr Seuss said, 'Its fun to have fun but you have to know how'.

The most important trick I use with myself on an ongoing basis to divert my attention from the work to play is the 'one minute trick'. But when you need to totally jump start yourself into the play mode start with the rip and tear pleasure hunt.

The Rip and Tear Pleasure Hunt

The rip and tear pleasure hunt is a stress-free way to overcome the inertia to getting started having fun. It can help you discover a fun-filled life full of meaning and pleasure, without you making a major time or money commitment.

Here's how it works:

1. Collect Ideas. Without giving it too much thought, as you go through newspapers, magazines, adult education calendars, college catalogues, brochures--if something catches your eye--rip it out and put it in a Rip and Tear Pleasure Hunt folder.

2. When You Feel Like it, Take a Closer Look. When you get curious about what interests you, sit down with a cup of coffee or tea, open the folder and as quickly as you can separate the various 'interest items' into three piles: 'Very interesting', 'Somewhat interesting', and 'On second glance, I don't know why I chose this'.

3. Ask Yourself: If I were to choose one activity, which one would it  be? Take your 'Very Interesting' pile and look through it more carefully. Ask yourself: If I were to choose one activity, which one would it be? At this stage, don't worry whether you have the time, money or inclination to follow through.

4. Take One Small Step to Collect More Information. Not sure you have the time, money or energy to follow through with your most interesting item? Call for more information, ask others for their opinions, commit to attend one session of a 10-week course--take one small step to collect more information. Again, at this stage you are merely collecting more information, not committing your time, money and energy.

5. If You Like What You See--Follow Through. If the information you collect on your most interesting item sparks your interest--go for it.

6. Keep Collecting and Following Through. Keep adding to your Rip & Tear Pleasure Hunt. Your interests will change over time. By continuing to go through these steps, you will develop a stress-free way to discover a life full of joy, meaning and fun!

The One-Minute Trick

Here's where the one minute trick comes in--commit to taking the first step to participating in something fun--but you only have to stay one minute. If after one minute you decide its not for you, leave.

• Go to the first pottery class and talk with the teacher.
• Go to the gym, get out of your car and walk into the facility.
• Go to the volunteer orientation to see if this is the right opportunity for you.

The hardest part is always overcoming inertia--taking the first step--even when its something you would enjoy doing! That is why the key is to keep the first step so small you bypass thinking about it and just do it--without worrying about following through further.


Start with a 5 minute Uplift in Your Spirit

To get yourself in the mood, take 5 minutes to watch and listen to an amazing clip taking you dancing around the world. I love this video. It makes me a happy dog every time I view it (which I do often).

Click on the link then find the link to '5 minutes to the joy of living' on the page. You can't watch this short video without feeling happy and a part of this world. Don't let the fun pass you by. Get involved in something meaningful to you.

http://lightartedliving.blogspot.com/2012/08/feeling-weary-had-enough-take-moment.html

 Meet the Artist

 Preston Powers, 3rd Grader

The Dog Tile Art Project for the Jackson County Animal Shelter 

Debi Blair's 3rd grade class at Walker Elementary school in Ashland, Oregon painted tiles to create a bright, cheerful entrance to the dog kennels at the Jackson County Animal Shelter. Their creative and fun spirits come through in their art. Come on down to the Shelter to see what a difference their tile art makes.

 

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For more than 30 years, Susan Meyerott has been helping people lighten up and step over invisible barriers to change one step at a time. She speaks to your heart, puts you at ease, and makes changing easier than ever before.

 

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