Laughter and Fun

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I believe in a good, healthy genuine laugh and fun.

Too many times we get bogged down by issues of life. What to do? How to do? Where to go? Why do it? When to do it? This sometimes can make us weary in the heart and we start wasting away. We miss out on moments that bring us real joy and happiness. The moments enjoyed with friends and family to do nothing serious but just to have fun and laugh is always worth it. Life is hard in itself and so learn to take it easy. It’s never that serious.

Being cheerful keeps you healthy. It’s a slow death to be gloomy all the time.

I have been told am a good laugher. I like to genuinely laugh out loud. I try to create opportunities to actually laugh. Laughing and having fun is healthy socially, spiritually, emotionally and physically. A gloomy sad person/face is terribly expensive and makes our lives short. A laughter relaxes, takes worries away and it’s therapeutic. In fact, I dare say, a laughter a day keeps the doctor away. I mean a genuine healthy laugh with no reservation. Letting yourself loose to enjoy the moment. Living life for the moment and enjoying the beauty of life. Thank God for this amazing gift.

Laughter and fun are a destination in themselves. When you have a moment to indulge in these, it’s has nothing to do with how tomorrow will be and what you will do tomorrow. You can’t say, I don’t want to laugh today, I will laugh tomorrow. When it comes, your effort to resist it often looks ridiculous. This doesn’t bring with it a care of tomorrow or what next. It’s filled with enjoying the moment. Being grateful for what the situation presents. But you can’t always be noticing the moments if you are not present if you are concerned about what’s not right. You can make a choice to look at what’s right and find pleasure in it or focus on what’s wrong and miss out. You have to make a choice to be present, to be in the moment and live like a child. When a child is with you, they are there. With all their being. Full attention. They can then enjoy whatever it is they are experiencing if indeed it is good for them. We sometimes place laughter and fun squarely out of reach. Some people think fun and laughter is meant for those who are not serious in this life.

Image Credits: http://ise.tamu.edu/people/faculty/ntaimo/personal_web/photos.htm

We are repeatedly told to be like little children. This for me has got something to do with being present, appreciation of what’s going on, showing gratitude and enjoying the moment. To be present you have to listen. You have to listen at a level that is focused not on what’s going on in you. You can’t be listening preparing to respond or thinking about yourself and still enjoy what’s going on. You have to listen paying keen attention to the beauty of the moment.

I have spent 10years of my life in creating a platform for young people to learn how to have fun without alcoholic drinks, talk without cellphones, smile without selfies, dream without drugs and ultimately love each other without conditions. This has been an environment for young people to enjoy each other without the fear of being judged, discriminated, or alienated. This is our hope in Africa Youth Leadership Forum.

If this resonates with you, go ahead to evaluate your fun in life. Start now… Then look for a small community of friends who you can do this together with… Being accountable to a few and practicing with a few. It’s about building a community of friends to share each other’s journey of life with, as you find fun and laughter.  You have to be deeply committed to each other and desire to see each other grow in this journey. You have to create a support, encouragement and accountability platform for each other. The community has to be a small as possible so that there is active engagement by all involved.

Find a community around you and see if these conversations make sense to you…

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By Gabriel Achayo.