To Jump or Not to Jump … I Jump
Growing up doesn’t have to get boring or be uber-serious. I wish someone would have told me this a long time ago instead of leading me to believe that growing up meant taking life seriously (very seriously) and taking the “fun” out of it.
Now, I’ll grant that there are times and places for fun and being silly and the “board room” isn’t likely one of them (though there may be some instances in some board rooms). But why do we teach kids to stop jumping on the bed? The most obvious reason is the potential danger and/or property damage … falling off the bed, hitting your head on the ceiling, breaking something. I taught my kids to stop because I had been taught to stop but I’m not doing that with my granddaughter and I am now a certified “bed jumper” again.
I recently re-discovered that it’s fun and makes me laugh (even just thinking about it brings a smile). I am cautious to make sure I am kind of in the middle of the bed and away from the ceiling fan and I don’t jump too high anymore… I’m working at regaining balance but also I almost hit the ceiling when I stand up and can’t jump too high without bumping my noggin. In my apartment, the ceilings were vaulted so I could really “jump” … now I just kind of “hop”.
We often give up other things along the way due to their childishness … doing a cannonball into the pool, skipping down a sidewalk or walkway (when you know others can see you), pretending the retaining wall is a tightrope, standing on a chair to get a better view (I’m kind of short). The thing is, we don’t really need to avoid these things. People around us need to lighten up and “enjoy” life and these are just little innocent things that make us smile.
What kinds of things have you given up that you can re-acquire that will allow you to more fully enjoy your life from one day to the next? Life doesn’t have to be serious. Responsibility does not necessarily equate to seriousness — it simply means doing what needs to be done. When we take on the tasks of our lives and allow them to be fun, we live joyfully in the moment rather than dreading the task and looking forward to a happier time. The house has to be cleaned, but no one says we can’t dance while we’re vacuuming.
What can you do to put the “fun” back in your life? What are you taking seriously that can be lightened up and more joy-filled?
