People,
Not sure I have anything profound to say for this month. I am too busy having FUN! Yep, FUN. I have officially declared 2015 the year of FUN. I know many of you also theme your year with a particular focus while others make resolutions. I am going the theme route this year and FUN is it. I know. It’s not particularly meaningful, or aspiring, or wise or as life-changing as saving the world or climbing a mountain. Or is it? Have we forgotten how to have FUN as adults???

I had forgotten. By the end of last year, I didn’t like myself a whole lot. Sorry for the dramatic self-loathing, but it’s sort of true. My husband had jokingly said I wasn’t fun anymore (let’s all admit: there is always a little truth in joking). My kids labeled Daddy “The Fun One.” I felt constantly stressed, distracted, demanded, tired, intense, edgy and annoyed. I am pretty sure it sucked to be around me.

I felt forced into the holiday, which was a two-week travel extravaganza across Texas and Oklahoma to see family. A different bed about every two nights. Between rushing to buy and ship gifts ahead of our flights, and to pack 3.5 people in two suitcases only (said husband did pack himself after asking me what to pack, which in turn, prompted annoyed commentary from me) for this Griswold Family trip, I felt…done. I started joking with people that all I really wanted for Christmas was a night at my own home by myself. Funny or sad? Wait. Don’t answer that…

It took me multiple days into the trip and some time in my childhood home to un-kink my brain and body and relax and refocus. By New Year’s Eve, thanks to some great sleep, I felt more relaxed, but also like something was missing. It was the start of a new year and I needed something to look forward to. An adventure. A trip. A goal. Last year was about mastering some fitness and eating changes and making them stick. Last year was also about grace: giving it to others and finding some for me. Other years have been about big moves or family additions or life milestones. And I always have annual work and areas of focus for my professional development. What was missing?

FUN.

Not fun in some big, grand adventure. FUN EVERY DAY. A focus on FUN. Intentionally seeking FUN. FUN in my marriage. FUN with my kids. FUN at work. FUN in the gym. Running for FUN, crazy FUN with friends, FUN on trips, reading for FUN, watching a trashy TV series for FUN, letting go of un-FUN guilt, finding FUN and joy in worship, FUN when alone. You get the picture. I WANT TO BE FUN AGAIN!

Sounds selfish? Probably is. Don’t worry. I’ve engaged others in my plan.

Step 1. Tell husband and ask him if he’s in for the year of FUN. Took him less than 1 second to say: “Absolutely.” Whoo hoo! Game on.

Step 2: Tell friends about plan. Use it as an excuse to drag them along for more FUN. Good news? We’re all having more fun.

Step 3:  Totally re-arrange my schedule at work to reclaim time during the day and empower others. Time equals focus and results, which decreases stress, which leads to…yep, you guessed it: more time for FUN.

Step 4: Plan FUN, Seek FUN. Already working on the vacation schedule for the year and agreeing to not stress when on the trip. If work comes up, no problem. Still find time for FUN. Seek out FUN daily. Have a carpet picnic for dinner. Make up silly songs with the kids. Meet someone new. Take on a new challenge. Have a drink at 2 in the afternoon on a Saturday, because…well, why not?

Step 5. Say Yes to FUN. As in friends call and have last minute tickets so say “yes” and adopt the attitude of “find a sitter and go out on Thursday again because it’s Thursday”. YES = FUN.

Where did some of this come from? I am around kids everyday…my own and those who are literally battling life and death. And while they have taught me so much about grace, tenacity, determination, strength, resilience and faith, I have been missing one very important lesson from them. FUN. Life is FUN. Life is silly and funny and messy and spontaneous. Life is meant to be lived.

This doesn’t mean that I am suddenly chucking all my responsibilities. I’ve got kids to raise, a marriage to nurture, family and friendships to tend, a big job, my communities to serve, a house to run, and steps I take to take care of myself. But why can’t I have more FUN doing these things? Laugh more. Smile more. And, in some cases, care less and fret less.  (This is a work in progress, people).

Because the truth is: we are not promised tomorrow. So, why not make the most of today? It’s more FUN to go to bed totally spent with a big, fat grin on my face knowing I maxed out the day in the way that was meaningful for me.

My wish for you in 2015? Have FUN, my friends. I am!

Loving on You.

Love,
Me