“If you get in the habit of your life being fun, if you move through life believing it’s supposed to be that way, you’ll notice when it’s not. I’ve been making life fun for so long I can’t imagine putting up with no fun. But the inverse is true, too. If you get in the habit of life not being fun, you start to not even notice, because that’s what you used to.”
The Power of Fun: How To Feel Alive Again by Catherine Price
For me, Las Vegas holds an irresistible pull as a sandbox of pure fun. The allure of “The Strip” aside, the city offers a cacophony of thrill seeking experiences that can keep one endlessly mesmerized and engaged for days.
Downtown Las Vegas happens to be my favorite roosting spot whenever I visit. Featuring the Fremont Street Experience, a bustling entertainment district of axis-tilting energy and craziness, it has become the ideal respite for me whenever I need to add some shock value to my life.
For me, Fremont Street allows me a great way to get out of my comfort zone, take risks, and be open to new, immersive experiences. From the adrenaline rush of the zip line to the food and entertainment scene, my peripatetic treks to the area offer just the jolt that I need to recalibrate and replenish my spirit.
“When was the last time you had fun? I’m serious. Think about it. When’s the last time you didn’t feel judged, by yourself or other people? When was the last time you were engaged, focused, and completely present, distracted by thoughts about the future or the past? When was the last time you felt free? When was the last time you felt alive?”
Price exhorts us all to pursue what she affectionately refers to as “True Fun,” which is that “magical confluence of playfulness, connection, and flow— (which) is absolutely essential for a well-lived and joyful life.”
She asserts that in using “True Fun” as our barometer, we are able to live happier, healthier, less stressful, and more productive lives. We’ll have more energy; We’ll find more community, connection, and a sense of purpose; And we’ll stop languishing and live life with a greater sense of purpose.
Another added benefit to immersing ourselves in fun, Price says, is that it can take us away from our mobile devices and digital screens.
I personally found Price’s book highlighting the importance of embracing the joy of life to be freeing. In it, she offers sage wisdom on how fun activities, through their integration into our daily lives, can be used to boost our mental, emotion, physical, and even spiritual health to new heights.
Great Books, Great Minds, Great Question
What sort of fun activities are you planning to engage in over the next 12-18 months in order to replenish your own spirit?
This book is going on my read list. After all that has happened in our world of late, fun has slipped out of view.