Next
week, the students at Windham/Raymond schools will blissfully enjoy their
week-long winter vacation. If their parents are lucky, perhaps they will get to
take some time away from their daily workloads and have a fun filled midwinter
break, too.
I
have heard it said that we all want to play and have fun, but somewhere along
the way as we get older and the demands of life loom over us, we rarely
remember to keep those zany and impulsive activities on our “to do” lists. In
fact, most of us struggle with work-life balance (be sure to check out the
answers to this week’s On the Spot Question on the right side of this page.)
I
never thought I would be one who forgot how to play, but, alas – it has
happened. The past couple of years I have become pretty serious about my career
and life time goals. So serious in fact, that I was shocked to recently
discover it’s been quite some time since I have delighted myself with amusing
and meaningless distractions that tickle my funny bone.
With
the exception of a recent (and spontaneous) snowshoe adventure, I realized
recently that it has been at least three since years since I have done those
winter time things I love much like cross-country skiing in the backwoods of
Maine or snow tubing down a steep icy hill in the moonlight. The thought of it
brings back memories of exhilaration and I miss the foolish diversion from
everyday life.
Of
course, I could let go of my perfectionism and unplug from electronics on the
weekends to help with that work-life balance I so dream about, but until I
master that, I just need to break free from time to time and let that big inner
child out for some adventure and excitement.
For
those of you who have children and you have found that your everyday adult life
has slipped onto the same monotonous path as mine, I challenge you to take a
moment to do something fun with your sons and daughters next week.
Consider
doing something that you wouldn’t normally do as an adult. Be silly. Be amused.
Make outlandish faces with your kids and then laugh until your gut hurts. Take
a break away from being an adult for a while. If you have forgotten how, I’m
sure your children can inspire and help you remember.
No
matter what it is you choose to do, silliness and play are delightful ways to
take a breather from all those important and sometimes tedious adult chores.
Not only does it make us feel more alive and adds joy to our daily existence,
but in doing so, it creates fond memories to recall on more difficult days -
not to mention the wonderful memories you will create in your child.
Now,
back to me. It would only seem right that if I challenge you to dive into
childhood enthusiasm then I should challenge myself to do the same. Hmmm? What
kind of crazy mischief can I get myself into next week? I don’t know what that
may be yet, but the excitement is bubbling up just thinking about it.
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