A bright, talented client came to me very unhappy with the state of her life. She told me that she’s given up on many of her dreams in order to live a practical, play-it-safe, comfortable life (her words, not mine). The problem is, she is anything BUT comfortable in her life as it is. She dreams of creating beauty in her work, traveling to exotic places, schedule-free days, and time spent with family and friends. Her reality (as she sees it) consists of a job that she finds less-than-fulfilling, days spent running from obligation to obligation, and a body that is hurting and tired.
I ask her to join me on a “mental vacation” and lead her through an ideal day five years from now. As we walk through her day, I can’t help but notice how many times she uses the word “fun” in her descriptions. If she says it once, she says it at least a dozen times. Her face brightens into a smile at the thought of what fun means to her. Her body relaxes and the tears begin to fall. She has found peace, without ever having left the room. When I mention the numerous times I heard her use the word “fun,” she is surprised and caught off-guard. We talk about ways to make room for more fun in her life and for the first time in a long time, her thoughts and her life are filled with possibility again.
Fast-forward to this morning as I’m watching Britney Spears perform on Good Morning America live in San Francisco. I see shots of the Bay, cable cars, and a crowd eager for Britney’s performance. It feels like a whole lotta fun to me and I don’t even have to leave my living room to join the party. She starts singing about dancing till the world ends and it hits me–that’s what it’s all about: whatever your “fun” is–just keep following it–even if it doesn’t seem practical–ESPECIALLY if it doesn’t seem practical–and you’ll be dancing your way towards your best life.
Well said and once again a synchronistic connection Chris! I was coaching a client this morning about ways to add elements of fun into her day. AND you hit the nail on the head — whatever your definition of fun is — love that, we should all go for that!