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Let’s face it, we are all just a tad too serious most of the time and we take ourselves just a little too seriously. When you are under constant threats, deadlines, making the grade or trying to improve yourself, it’s hard to let your hair down and relax, but sometimes I think that is exactly what we need to do.
I am learning to relax, chill-out and not take things so dog-gone seriously. We can get way too caught up in all the things we want to do and the goals we set for ourselves that when it looks like we are not going to achieve something, anything, it becomes the biggest let down ever, you know, like EVER – the sky is falling and quickly too! Let’s just take a moment and breathe. Take that deep breath in and hold it for a few seconds, then let it out slowly. See how much better everything is? Well, it might take a few times, but don’t hold your breath too long.
Hey, it’s not your fault! The educational systems, society and modern life have made everything so excruciatingly stressful. If you feel as though you are under constant threat, that there is always an emergency and things just have got to be done right now, this minute! You’re right, that’s how the modern world has become and that’s why we end up with the world changing at a speed not even flash Gordon could catch up with. Or am I talking about that other Flash guy? See, I can’t even catch up with that.
We are rushing, rushing, rushing. We have got to have the new thing right now! Ipad anyone? Well, if we can afford all the new things out there. I have to pass for now, besides it is just not the right size for me. I need something more between the iphone and the ipad, so my thumbs can type at a speed fast enough to keep up with my hyper mind! But, alas, I digress, because you know what? It’s not all that serious. If I really try, I can wait. Apple always has a revolutionary new product coming out and they will get the size right just for me, if I choose to wait, but can I? Of course, I think I can. Shoot! I’ll buy it today! Don’t tell Joan, ’cause I will hide it under my pillow – that’s just between you and me, so don’t go spoiling it for me. No, no, no! I will wait… I think.
This brings me to the two movies which have really, absolutely, totally made my winter and spring: Avatar and How to Train Your Dragon!
My ADHD mind just salivates at the thought of those two movies and what they did for me. What did they do for me? Let me think, if I can remember. Ah yes, they allowed me to take a few hours off from the world (that’s why I couldn’t remember) and just enjoy the splendors of fantastical colors, love in a fantasy world (oh, sweet, love) and above all, they allowed me to soar with them in the clouds on the wings of dragons! WEEEEEEE!
 What more can I want? A good story? Hey, see how easy it is to get serious again? Well, How to Train Your Dragon has a wonderful story and Avatar, well, Avatar basically throws the idea of a good story in your face with Unobtainium (you know, that stuff you can’t get – you did get that, right?)! Although I thought the relationships within Avatar were rather well done (and corny too), I was more interested in the colors, the flight and the beautiful world Cameron created as eye candy! If Avatar wasn’t an ohhhh shiny, then I don’t know what it was and I don’t know anyone who went to see it for the story! Did you? C’mon, you can admit it, we won’t tell anyone.
All I am trying to say is that from time to time we need to realize how important it is to just chillax! If we don’t find ways to laugh and enjoy the splendors of life without all the I just gotta get this done right now or the world will explode into a million zillion pieces, we are going to crash and burn-out, but with just a fizzle.
So, here’s my recommendation: At least one day a week find your child within and just allow yourself to enjoy something, anything – a movie, a walk, or just daydream all day with total abandon! Give yourself permission to goof off. We can all think of a million reasons why we can’t let even the slightest moment pass, but guess what, it’s all going to pass anyway, seriously. The more reasons that you can think of that won’t allow you to relax for a day, well, take it from me, that’s all the more reasons to do it!
What do you enjoy the most? What refreshes you and makes you smile a mile a minute? You know that something that makes your day pass like a cool breeze on a hot summer’s day. Do that, enjoy that!
WOOO HOOO – Can you catch me?!!!!?
Let your child within go outside to play, or if it is raining outside, let loose inside!
~Bryan
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Exactly! Well said Bryan
Reply to JohnThank you much
Reply to Bryan HutchinsonYes, we all need to allow ourselves to be a kid once in a while, ADD or no ADD. I finally took a long awaited vacation last week. We went out on 4 outings. On one of those outings, we went looking for salamanders, at night. It was way cool! Another outing, we had a close encounter with a small pack of coyotes. Going into today, I felt much more relaxed. Btw, Avatar was awesome. We saw it at an Imax theatre. WOW! My son who has adHd (notice how I emphasized the hyperactivity) was able to sit and pay attention to the whole 2.5 – 3 hour movie! We can’t wait for the DVD release on Earth Day. Remember: slow down and enjoy the little things. You might just save a cute little critter.
Reply to Bob HarringtonI am so glad you get what I am trying to say here Bob! I didn’t get to see it in an Imax, I can only imagine how cool that must have been! But you know, now that I mention it, I don’t remember any kids stirring in the theater during either of these movies!
Uhm… pack of coyotes? You all still have all your parts… right?
Reply to Bryan HutchinsonWe were smart enough to run directly to the car ‘at first sight’.
Reply to Bob HarringtonThis is so true. For the last few years I have spent all my time on the computer working day and night. Wold feel either guilty or know if I went out and took sometime for myeslf I would just thinking of what I needed to get done.
Saturday I ran a community garage sale and put the computer away. It was the first time in a long time that I took sometime to do something productive, meet neighbors I never knew and actually had some fun. That is when I realized that I do need to have make time for myself, like I used to and have some fun and get back into my passion which is photography.
Yes, we do need to make time and do the things we really enjoy and act like a child and have some fun. It can be refreshing and really take your mind of our problems, issues, problems and so on.
There is so much that is going on right now for everyone with the economy problems, healthcare options, etc. which I am sure is also on our minds
right now.
The mind and body can take just so much…
Go out and have some fun and try and enjoy yourself. It is more important now then ever before.
Act like a child and if someone says to you what is wrong with you say “I have ADD/ADHD what is wrong with you?” I think I am actually going to have a T-shirt made so I do not have to even waste my time saying it..
I think we should all wear that saying on our shirts….
Enjoy!
Reply to MindyBryan, you bring up some wonderful points! A big part of all my coaching is helping people find more joy and satisfaction in EVERYTHING they do. Essentially, learning to enjoy the ride, not just the achievements. All great achievements, like being on time for example, are made of LOTS of little achievements and personal victories that ADD UP to being on time. Giving yourself credit and taking satisfaction in all the little things is what adds up to a life you love : )
I say make time for joy EVERY day. Put something good on your calendar every day and you won’t mind doing the other things quite as much.
Have you heard of the make it fun theory? It’s not just an idea – it really is possible!
Reply to Ariane BenefitHi Ariane, thank you!
About the fun theory, do you mean: “The thought that something as simple as fun is the easiest way to change people’s behaviour for the better. Be it for yourself, for the environment, or for something entirely different, the only thing that matters is that it’s change for the better.” ? thefuntheory
WOW! YEP! I am cool with that
Reply to Bryan HutchinsonWent outside yesterday to work in the yard and burn all the piles and piles of pine needles I had raked last weekend. Somehow, though, I ended up swinging in the hammock under the cedar trees mesmerized by the trilling of a bird on a nearby branch. Then my two-year old foster daughter climbed in with me and wrapped her arms around my neck and snuggled up to me and the next thing I knew one of the best hours I have had in a long, long time had just gone by and the world looked brighter and my brain wasn’t racing anymore and, for a little while, everything was just really, really OK again. Why don’t we do things like this more often?
Reply to tereIndeed, why don’t we, Tere?
Reply to Bryan Hutchinson