I mean, let’s face it.  Fun is where it’s at.

All the education, mindfulness, worry, planning, hard work and strategizing – if it doesn’t equate to more fun, than what’s the point?

What do I mean by fun, you might ask?

Well, only you know for sure.  But what do you enjoy?  When are you relaxed and at peace?

It may be putting your feet up and watching an episode of Downton Abbey, eating a freshly made toasted bagel with cream cheese, going out on a date night with your sweetie or taking a trip around the world.

What makes you happy?

Whatever you think of as fun, add more of it to your life. 

You will find it is one of the secrets to happiness.

This notion that girls just “wanna” have fun should come as no surprise. Cyndi Lauper told us years ago: (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Girls_Just_Want_to_Have_Fun)  But did we listen?

No, not really.

And now we find ourselves without enough fun.

Sure, we allow ourselves fun sometimes – once all the work is done.  But what if we had MOSTLY fun sprinkled with a bit of “must-do’s”

I hear your voices in my head.  “But, but, but there is SO much to do!  And so much of it is not any fun.”

But why?  Why is it that we are not having fun day and night?

When I was 11, I met a woman who would impact my life in more ways than I can remember or count.  An amazing cross between Auntie Mame, Grace Slick, Mother Theresa and a 60’s sex kitten – but most of all – she was a hell of a lot of fun.

She could make attending a funeral, better than a trip to Disneyland.  When she made Passover dinner for her friends and family – not only did Elijah show up, but all the neighbors did too.  By the 4^th glass of wine, each one of us had a kazoo in hand and was fighting to read the next passage from the Haggadah.

She was a mentor, confidante and friend of mine for almost 40 years.

When she passed away last year, I thought about all the gifts she had given me simply by being in my life.  The biggest one was the inspiration to make more fun in my life and the lives of the people I care about.

What will it take?  C’mon girls, doncha just wanna have fun?

Coach Me Quick Tips for More Fun!

1. What did you do today that was fun?  This week?  This month?
2. What is your goal for yourself?  Is it possible to commit to having fun each and every day?
3. Make a list of fun activities.  Make sure you include the easy ones like taking a hot bath, and the ones that may take more planning – a trip to Hawaii.
4. What is one activity that you are doing this coming week, that you could make fun?  For example, if you have to sit and watch your child’s soccer games all weekend, could you grab a friend and take a good hike while the kids play or plan to go out for a delicious dinner after the last match?
5. Do you drive your children everywhere?  How can being in the car be more fun?  How about having plenty of comedy cd’s in the car to listen to with your children?  I recommend Brian Regan for family friendly stand up comedy.

Enjoying life in L.A.,

Jamee