More humor, joy & love - yes, please!
Recently, I was reminded not to take things too seriously. I know, I know; everyone says that – true, but very few of us actually do it. You see I have a drive and focus that serves me well but also tends to push laughter, joy and happiness aside to get shit done. When I was younger and building my career, life and story that seemed like a good trade off. Being see as ‘serious’ was important since I tied that to being successful. Now that I’m older and on an awaking journey it all seems, well, a bit silly.
Who says you must be serious to be successful? And further, why do we feel that being focused and driven are mutually exclusive to joy and fun? As I design my life to be one that I’m excited to live, I want joy, laughter and love in it, as often as possible; every minute in fact. Looking at times and activities where those things were present, things just flowed. I didn’t effort or struggle. Synchronicities were abundant.
That brings me back to my moment of being reminded not to take things too seriously. I was attending a fair as a vendor that is usually very well attended but this day was pitiful. There were long stretches where no customers were there. As I looked around at the other vendors and their equally empty tables, I was feeling pretty bad but then as I locked eyes with the vendor directly across from me, we both just started laughing. I walked over and introduced myself and we began to have a wonderful conversation full of laughter, fun and joy. Even though she was sharing about her current difficulties in living situation there was a lightness and ease that was present as she spoke. She could have taken her situation very seriously, as most would, but instead she chose to view it and live it with humor, acceptance and grace. As she spoke a realization hit me like a bolt of lightning, the more serious I am about an aspect of my life, the more effort it takes and therefore the more resistance I encounter. Nothing in life is so serious that humor, grace and love (acceptance if you prefer) can’t be a part of it.
While the fair attendance didn’t improve, I shifted my focus and took the opportunity to connect with the vendors around me which was a wonderful gift that would not have been possible if the normal volume of customers were present.
So, if you are reading this and find that you are taking something in your life far too seriously, look for the humor, or a glimmer of joy, or a spark of love and acceptance in it. I think you’ll find it will break things wide open.
Love and light my dears!