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
