This past weekend I heard the story of a husband who came home from a vacation with his wife in Cancun. As soon as he walked in the door, he made a grand declaration. “I want a divorce!” When the wife asked why, he said, “Because you were no fun!!” He went upstairs, re-packed his bags, and left.

Just yesterday, I was shopping with my oldest daughter in Kroger. On the endcap, there were boxes of Frankenberry, Booberry, and Count Chocula. I was all excited about it – remembering how I grew up on that cereal and how my brother’s favorite was Booberry while mine was Frankenberry. I couldn’t resist, and I put a box of the bright pink cereal in my basket.

As I oohed and aaahed, a gentleman who was maybe 27 years old with a wedding ring on his left hand, walked by and said, “Really? You are that excited about a cereal??” At first I thought he was kidding – after all, this box held SO many wonderful childhood memories for me. But then my daughter stopped me and said, “Mom, he’s making fun of you. . .”

Where has all the fun gone? When did life get so hard and we became so critical that we stopped celebrating all the little things that the world has to offer? Even to the point of saying those critical remarks out loud?!

Right now, wherever you are, I want you to stop and think about just one thing that will make you smile. Just one. One memory, one pink box of cereal, one favorite ghost story or Halloween costume, one favorite food or drink, or one favorite pet or friend. Tap into joy . . . remember what it feels like to laugh, and be silly, and actually play.

If we are honest, we crave having fun. The husband just wanted to play again on his vacation. The guy in the grocery story was simply jealous that I could find joy in nothing but a box of cereal. I wonder how long it will take this young man to look at his wife and say, “Really? Where did all the fun go?”

Fun – love it, celebrate it, seek it, and BE IT!! Fun surrounds you, welcomes you, and wants to be a huge part of your life. Claim that fun as your own, even if the world around you makes critical remarks to you because of it . . .

Big Smiles,

G