I spent this afternoon and evening laughing and sharing stories with friends, I talked to a prank caller twice on two different phones, and I drank wine and ate pizza without counting calories. I had a really good day and I didn't once refresh my lipgloss or look in the mirror. I didn't suck in my stomach or monitor what I said, I just had fun and gave myself permission to relax. Most people lose a little of their inner child as they age, but mine seems to get stronger. In fact, at this point I'm not sure I could shake my inner toddler if I wanted to.
I have a sense of humor akin to a ten year-old, but it is tempered by my exterior shell of cynicism and curmudgeon. Now that I am older, I am finally starting to care less about what people think and worry more about getting what I want. Turns out that what I want is not a successful career, good health, or long personal friendships. Nope, what I want is to talk to prank callers and try to beat them at their own game. Hopefully I'm just living out what I've missed over the years. From what I can tell, having fun is . . . well, fun.
I think getting older gives us the wisdom that sometimes fun surprises us--you can't plan to have fun. A girls night out can actually turn into a nightmare if the stars and the conversation doesn't click. Abort, and go home and have fun reading some mindless chick lit, or so mind-blowing poetry. Fun requires spontenaety, low expectations and sometimes some serious flexibility. Like when my little girls and I do round offs and back bends in the front yard, What do the neighbors think, and why should I care? Or if I see an especially obnoxious dog shirt with a phrase like pampered pooch, I pick it up for my serious and thoughtful 7 year old lab, and take her picture. Have you ever seen a dog look embarrassed? That is funny. Watching her get it off, take it outside, kill it and bury it is a SHOW! As I get older, fun is more simple. Watching a dumb movie with my kids, but listening to them piss themselves with laughter is fun. Sex with the husband can be fun, especially if I actually am able to relax and let go. Even scrubbing the toilet with a toothbrush is oddly relaxing. But I think all of these examples support your theory that fun is only had when you let go and just be WHO you are. Stop worry about how other's percieve you--too old for that, too young for that--too fat for that skirt, too saggy for that v-neck. Fun happens from the inside out. Everytime. And I still giggle at the number 69. It's FUNNY. I don't want to do the 69 anymore--that's gross with saggy balls and saggy tits, but the mere attempt with someone you love and trust is also funny. I also enjoy the TWSS FB page. Juvenile humor? Yep, I can still tap into that. And if judging me for that is fun for you, then GO FOR IT! Do it. Live and love.
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