FUN

The best teachers are those we least expect. A child, for instance, provides countless lessons. Perhaps you recall these lessons from past experiences, or maybe you learn something for the first time. No matter where you are in the curriculum, you cannot dismiss a child’s core requirement: how to have fun. 

Whether you are a child who has forgotten or an adult who is hesitant, take this time to envision yourself alone at a playground. You are sitting on a bench with no one to tend to and nothing to do. It is unusual, but an opportunity nonetheless. You have the choice to be present in the moment and observe the bustle of children around you. You watch the variations in movement, each marked by a child’s physical ability. Some float effortlessly from one structure to the next, showing mastery of learned skills. Others take risks and make mistakes, but with time, they revel in small successes. 

Next, you listen to the fluctuations in sound. Some are musical, vibrating with a synchronous hum, while others strike harshly, imprisoning your attention. Do not let them. They are fleeting if you set your attention free. The unpleasant sounds pale in comparison to the others—the sounds of laughter. The sounds of kids having fun. 

Once you regain focus, scan the facial expressions of each child. What do you see? Perhaps the joy of experiencing something for the first time, or the hundredth. Maybe the elation, the pride of discovering a new skill. Or perhaps you simply see happiness and are content with its mysterious origins. This moment is powerful, and what started as pure observation is now a feeling. You not only feel the child’s emotion but the relief in yourself that things can be simple. Embrace this. Enjoy it. It is fun. 

When Was the Last Time You Had Fun? 

The kind of fun that made you laugh and play. Fun intended for you, not reliant on others. It is not strictly reserved for young children—no, that would be cruel. Yet, with so many things to do and expectations of who to be, life’s path gets overgrown. Troubles sprout from the ground and morph into unmanageable terrain. Obstacles, like branches, reach across and tighten their embrace, only to tangle and fall. The direction is uncertain, the steps precarious, and with time, the beauty disappears. It is overwhelming—too taxing and too risky to invest in. 

Perhaps you can relate. Now, think as a young child. What do you see? Adventure. You see forts where others see sticks and flowers where others see weeds. It is as if children have the superpower of optimism, but maybe it is something more. They lean into their imagination and empower it to run free. They use their senses to make something of nothing and effortlessly turn the complicated into the simple. Into fun. 

So, when your path loses its beauty, remember our young teachers. Prune slowly and simply. Step by step, embrace the journey, for it comes with a guarantee. The guarantee of new sensations and different scenes. Dig your hands deep into the warm sand until it turns cool—you may find water just below. Jump in the pool and get your hair wet, because the thrill may be something you need. Swing and see how high you can go, for the view may surprise you. Climb, even if you think it is silly, because you may have forgotten your body’s strength. Join that impromptu wiffle ball game, because a run around the bases can feel like flying. Go and explore. See what fun is to you. 

Young children never think twice about fun—why should you? 

Now, Where Do You Begin? 

When the tires are flat and the engine is rusty, how do you start? Begin with an investment in yourself and a simple goal. For example, set aside 10 minutes of fun each day. 

Perhaps it feels too simple, tempting you to mock it. The idea fills you with an uncomfortable sensation, an internal pressure to add time or other things. Do not. It is a trick. The goal of this experiment is not the length of time but the experience itself. 

Start with 10 minutes and see where you go. Be in the moment—not the next—or you cheat yourself of this freedom. When you jump in the pool and get your hair wet, do not think about the inconvenience. This deprives you of the experience itself. Feel the cool water surround your face, the bubbles rushing from your nose and mouth. As you exhale, know it is more than just air—it is the tension you hold. Raise your damp head above the water and feel the warmth of the sun. Smile, because this moment is yours, and you have rediscovered the joy of fun. 

It is infectious. Notice the shift within yourself and those around you. Make the small investment and dare to see what rewards fun has in store.