Are You Having Fun Yet?

What would your life be like if you were having more fun? Here are a few ways to put more fun in your life.

Welcome to the LifeExcellence Newsletter!
May 5, 2003
Written & Published by Brian E. Bartes
http://www.lifeexcellence.com

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LifeExcellence: Empowering People to Pursue the Best
In Themselves - In Business, At Home and in LIFE!

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Table of Contents:

1. Baby Steps
2. Feature Article: Are You Having Fun Yet?
3. Quotes
4. Recommended Resources
5. Self-Care: Cranberries
6. Final Thoughts: Life

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1. Baby Steps

Lighten up. Be silly. Let loose. Don’t take yourself or your job or business
too seriously. Life’s too short. Schedule a “play date” with yourself, and
have fun!

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2. Feature Article: ARE YOU HAVING FUN YET?

“Dad, you’re always so serious,” my son told me. “You never have any fun.”

My initial reaction to my son’s accusation was defensiveness. Of course I
have fun, I thought. First of all, my work is fun. And I have fun in other
ways, too. I enjoy playing with my children. And I love to read.

As I thought about it more, however, I realized that my son was basically
correct in his assessment. To be sure, I wasn’t making time for fun in the
way that children do.

To some extent, I think society frowns on fun. Even with children, there is
often a negative connotation around having too much fun. “Don’t jump in
the mud puddle. Stop joking around so much. Stop, well, having fun.”

As adults, hard work is rewarded. Fun isn’t. When we do have fun, it’s
often the shallow, temporary kind. Going out for a night on the town can
be fun, but the next morning may not be. Practical jokes are fun, but they
are short lived, and often occur at someone else’s expense.

What would your life be like if you were having more fun? Real fun—the
kind that lasts, is incredible rewarding and lifts your life and spirits? Here
are a few ways to have more fun:

1. Engage in a physical activity. Do you enjoy golfing? Swimming? Walking?
Choose a couple of your favorite physical activities, and resolve to engage
in them more frequently.

2. Learn a new skill (or enhance an existing one). Have you always wanted to
enroll in a cooking class? Learn photography? Write a book? Pick a skill,
and make this the year to learn.

3. Make time for your hobby. Do you collect coins or stamps? Have a model
train collection? Enjoy scrap booking? Whatever your pleasure, set aside
one time per month (or more!) for your favorite hobby.

4. Volunteer your services. Have you always wanted to help someone learn to
read? Work at a museum? Serve a meal at a homeless shelter? Volunteering
is a way to not only have fun, but to impact the world in a very positive way.

5. Attend a comedy club, the theater or a concert. Laughter and entertainment
provides great fun. Make arrangements to go with a group of friends—the
more the merrier!

6. Write and send notes to your family, friends and clients. Draw something
fun on the cover (like a smiley face!) and let them know you’ve been
thinking about them.

7. Surround yourself with fun things. What could you put in your home and
office that would cause you to smile when you see them? Puzzles, games,
toys? Pictures of you and your family at play? Create an environment that
is playful, and fun.

8. Take a day off, in the middle of the week, just to play. Play golf, or tennis.
Go shopping, or to a movie. If you can’t take a whole day, then “play
hooky” for half the day.

These are just a few ideas for ways to have more fun. To personalize it,
make a list of 10 things that you know you have fun doing. Schedule a time
to engage in at least one of these activities per week. Notice what is
happening as you engage in this activity. Jot down what makes it so much
fun. Think about, and write down, ways to make even more time for fun.

Lighten up. Be silly. Let loose. Don’t take yourself or your job or business
too seriously. Life’s too short. Schedule a “play date” with yourself, and
have fun!

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3. Quotes

It’s a happy talent to know how to play.
Ralph Waldo Emerson

When you get the chance to sit it out or dance, I hope you dance.
Lee Ann Womack

It’s not a successful climb unless you enjoy the journey.
Dan Benson

Fun is contagious.
Brian Bartes

Don’t worry. Be happy!
Bobby McFerrin

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4. Recommended Resources

Living Your Joy*

Find the time, energy and money to live your dreams! Living Your Joy*,
a new e-book, shows you how. This comprehensive program helps you
figure out how, when, and if to leave your job ... among many other things!
Details and a free sample chapter are at http://www.howmuchjoy.com. The
companion ezine, The Joy Letter, provides practical, bi-weekly tools and
inspiration for living your dreams for free.
Sign up at http://www.howmuchjoy.com/joyletter.html

The LifeExcellence Motivational Screensaver

For those of you who haven't downloaded our screensaver yet, I
invite you to do so today! First, it's FREE, and second, it's COOL!
The screensaver contains a collection of over 100 awesome
motivational quotes and 30 scenic photos! You can download it here,
or from our website. Install it on your PC at home and work, and
forward it to your friends, family and business associates!

The Wheel of Excellence

It really is possible to have an excellent life! It's something we all
want for ourselves and others. This free tool is designed to help
you produce the results that lead to having an excellent life.

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5. Self-Care: Cranberries

Looking for a new, healthy snack? Try tart cranberries. In addition to
tasting good, they contain antioxidants called phenols, which have been
shown to reduce both total cholesterol and LDL (bad) cholesterol.
Cranberries are also known for their ability to ward off urinary tract
infections.

While fresh cranberries have the greatest impact on your health, you
can also benefit from cranberry juice. Make sure you choose a juice
that is at least 25% juice by volume, and one that is either low in sugar
or artificially sweetened.

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6. Final Thoughts: Life

Life is an opportunity, benefit from it.
Life is beauty, admire it.
Life is bliss, taste it.
Life is a dream, realize it.
Life is a challenge, meet it.
Life is a duty, complete it.
Life is a game, play it.
Life is costly, care for it.
Life is wealth, keep it.
Life is love, enjoy it.
Life is mystery, know it.
Life is a promise, fulfill it.
Life is sorrow, overcome it.
Life is a song, sing it.
Life is a struggle, accept it.
Life is tragedy, confront it.
Life is an adventure, dare it.
Life is luck, make it.
Life is too precious, do not destroy it.
Life is life, fight for it.
Mother Teresa

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Thank you for reading the LifeExcellence Newsletter.
HAVE FUN this week!
- Brian Bartes

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Are you ready to take action toward the achievement of your
goals? What if you had someone to support, motivate, challenge
and encourage you as you play at a new level?
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