When was the last time you laughed hard? I mean doubled over, gasping for breath, pee your pants kind of laughing?

Or when was the last time you danced? Like all out, shake your booty, hands in the air like you just don’t care kind of dancing?

How about playing? The kind of fun that makes you completely forget about your worries and fears.  The kind of fun that leaves you energized, rejuvenated, loving life.

I’m asking because I REALLY want to know!  Because I rarely laugh, dance, and play anymore.  And I don’t know why… 

I used to laugh hard. In fact, I was awarded 2nd place for Funniest Girl in my high school senior class. (Robin Shartle beat me out and I’m still a bit salty about it – but she was funny and hopefully still is.)  And I still am funny and playful but it’s buried deep inside and rarely sees the light of day.

I used to dance. I took lessons when I was little at Bobby Riggs Dance Studio and I loved it – tap dancing in particular! I kept dancing into high school in theatre productions and on the pom-pom squad.  And we’d go out dancing every so often in college and when I was single.  I danced when my kids were little but not so much anymore.  (Although if you ask my husband and boys they will tell you they LOVE to watch me dance to Rainy Day by Coldplay.)

And play.  I don’t even remember the last time I played. Frankly, I’m not sure I know what play looks like anymore as an adult.

Does this sound familiar for you, too? This idea that somewhere along the way we got a bit too serious? That we forgot how to have real fun?

Laughing and dancing and playing.  That’s why we’re here!  So why don’t we do more of it?

Now, I know there’s a lot of darkness in the world, but if we’re to be “light bearers”, Pope Francis says we can’t walk around looking like we’re going to a funeral.

Re-Define Success

As adults, I think we often feel like we are being graded on what we accomplish, how successful we are, or how much money we make.

But what if we re-defined success as how often we laugh, dance, and play?

What if instead of focusing so much on our work, or the daily grind, or all of the have-to’s that fill our days – we began being intentional about finding things to laugh about amidst the chaos that is our world?

Stopping in the middle of the day to put on our favorite song and dance, dance, dance – ecstatic dance.  Getting down on the floor to play with your children or playing a game of tennis, cards, or even (and I can’t believe I’m saying this) a video game with your teenage son.

Schedule Play

It might take effort at first to break out of the habit of always putting work before play or taking life so seriously.

It might actually mean putting it on our calendar or having an alarm go off on our phone so we don’t forget…

  • 10:00 Laugh
  • 12:00 Dance
  • 2:00   Play

But I bet it won’t be too long before you realize that you finally remember what life is all about.  You used to know – when you were a kid – and there was plenty of time to laugh and dance and play.

Remember her? Let’s go find her again.

Take a moment and share with me below: What makes you laugh until you cry? What’s your favorite dance tune? What do you do for fun?

Your sharing will help me remember!

Be AWE-dacious!