Have fun

You might have guessed, but I can be fairly intense, especially when it comes to something that I am interested in and want to learn more about or want to learn to do better. Riding would definitely fall in those categories. I take it very seriously and want to learn as much as I can during my lessons. At one point, as my trainer was giving me instructions for what I was to do next, she added, "And have fun." 

Now, in theory, I know that I ride because I enjoy it, but I think I forget that during my lessons because I am so busy improving and learning all I can. The instruction to have fun kind of blindsided me for a moment and I realized that I can often forget that piece of it in my intensity. I get so caught up with making improvement, perfecting my riding, doing things the best that I can do that I forget ultimately why I'm doing this. You know what? When I added in the instruction to have fun (and I realize that it is telling that it took the direction to have fun to allow me to add that to the list of things I was thinking about), I was able to relax more, focus on the bigger picture, and yes, enjoyed that portion of the ride much more. As a result, I actually rode significantly better.

As I pondered this, I realized that it is very easy to forget this simple instruction. How much of life are we missing out on because we are so intent on getting things right that we forget to enjoy them? It might be helpful to think back to the things you played as a child. What did that play involve? Probably they were things that had to do with adult life that looked interesting to us or that we wanted to have a hand in. Can you take that sense of play that you felt when you were a child playing adult tasks and bring that play into your current life? 

When we add in having fun or playing, it allows us to take ourselves a little less seriously. It helps us to be a little lighter in our being. Playing helps us to see things in a new light, often finding them more enjoyable. And when we take away the stress and worry or grumbling or the blinders chance are that we not only will enjoy those tasks more, but will probably be more successful in our outcomes. 

Play is vital for children to grow and develop, but I think it is probably equally as vital for adults in leading a rich and rewarding life.