The Pursuit Of Fun

A QUEST FOR HAPPINESS

Too much of a good thing. Too much of the same thing and too much of doing the same good thing until it affects our ability to work and compromises our health. That's when something once good, ceases to be a good thing any more. 

There's many things that we can do to enjoy ourselves. When we do the same thing too much, it can certainly lose it's appeal but it might also be affecting our wellbeing. Before the monotony indicates where the fun has vanished, the negative effects may already have taken their hold. So, it's likely already time for us to keep a check on these things which we call 'fun' – to see if they really are still fun – then substitute the activities that are possibly having a detrimental effect on our lives, with some new pursuits of happiness. 

Summers are short – particularly in the UK. They are mostly focussed around grabbing some sunshine, meeting with friends and celebrating life. Concerts, festivals, bank holidays and crazy party weekends – these are the focus points regularly featuring in the lives of the young and chased-upon by the those getting older too. 

So, what is it that gives such an appeal to a weekend of abandon – either in a field, club or around a friend's house? I believe it is a right to enjoy our 'freedom', break some taboos and get a little too inebriated or miss out on some sleep over the weekend. Because, for many of us, the only time to fully enjoy ourselves, is on those two days that are remaining after a working week.

So, it's tough to go home early on a Friday night or stay indoors on a Saturday when our friends are going out – or do very little on a Sunday in preparation for another busy week at work, when it's known that the next five days will be mostly work, eat, sleep, repeat. 

What is much tougher, is to swap the drinking/partying lifestyle with other pursuits that make us feel as happy. What is there that's better than getting a little twisted, dancing, meeting new people and from what it feels like at that moment...experiencing happy fun times? It really does feel like the ultimate expression of freedom and the birth-given right for those lucky enough to not be living under oppressive regimes or in dangerous war-torn parts of the world. 

What alternatives are there – so readily available and relatively in-expensive? What can give as much lasting fun, reward and fulfilment? This question, over coming weeks/months, is what I intend to find out – to discover and to break away from the current pattern of abandonment, that becomes our pursuit of happiness in the summer months. 

Bank Holiday Birthday

ANOTHER WHEELY GOOD WEEKEND

Another memorable lost weekend. Abandon and Mayhem. But it seems that I'm not alone in having this experience. So many are doing the same thing on a bank holiday - getting blasted.

The only real learning I have taken from this weekend, is that I am having the same dilemma as so many other people do. It's either a weekend of staying away from potential trouble, or a weekend getting out there having fun, to better connect with others and celebrate being alive. 

The alternatives all seem pretty dull. Is it a quiet one in, walks in the park, DIY hell or are the kids needing to be entertained? The friends who are taken up with DIY or family priorities are clearly envious of those like me. No real responsibilities to deal with. The only resulting issues being a dent in the bank balance and of course, the fall out from all that partying always leaves us feeling a little bit rubbish for a few days.