It's The Journey That Matters. HAVE FUN!

We all lead frenzied lives [and I'm very much one of the uber-guilty parties on that note] and most of the time, it seems it's NOT our fault at all.  I'm NOT washing off my hands from my guilt.  Having said this, the stark truth is from the time we were molded in school till we left the portals of our university, we were always taught and trained to set our goals in life and be goal-focused.  '   It's The Journey That Matters.  HAVE FUN!!! 

So, indeed we are forgetting to HAVE FUN in life!  At times, there are outliers like WHEN something tragic and traumatic happened in one's life, such that the NEGATIVE experience has caused that filtering.  True, some of us are so overwhelmed with commitments and obligations that they DON'T even recognize FUN even WHEN they are in front of it.  HOW often do we realize that a shared laugh, story OR experience, even with a stranger at that, improves the moods of everyone and  psychologists claim that holding on to the FUN memories can even make other painful experiences more bearable [if NOT less painful].  Of course, a zillion times we heard 'HAVE FUN' to a friend, family neighbor OR even a neighbor going off for a weekend😁😁😁

BUT let's face it, not everything is worth the 'HAVE FUN' expression because WHAT IF your friend is going to the dentist?  BUT we're missing a key point here.  Psychologists shared that in their studies, even activities like going for a haircut, looking for plants to add up in your own home garden, OR even activities you had to forgo a year ago.  Doing a lookup, dictionary tells us that FUN sets a relatively low bar for having FUN.  Like a bus tour of an unfamiliar city.  OR learning HOW to make bread in a cooking class as a novice is FUN and there's a mile-long list of stuff where we can get engaged and relive that FUN we used to have.  On the contrary, let's face it, there are activities we must do despite NOT having FUN, like waiting to renew your driver's license, listening to a long-winded speech in an event you DIDN'T feel attending BUT you succumbed to pressure.  Oh yes, the list of UNFUN situations seems to grow everyday❎❎❎

BUT here's the key question.  Do we pay attention to situations that provide amusement and enjoyment?  OR in response to our over-committed lives, those we are NOT even noticing WHEN something could be giving us pleasure?  YES, let's face it, there some of us WHO are unable to take pleasure in situations OR relationships that fit the definition of FUN.  Psychologists have termed ANHEDONIA as that manifestation of people having such inability to recognize and even enjoy FUN.  For people WHO feel incapable of even attempting to find pleasure, NOTHING brings them FUN and often, they would withdraw from social interactions OR activities because they feel it is pointless.  Yes, the experts linked ANHEDONIA to depression, anxiety and even post-traumatic stress disorder.  BUT to quote the experts, 'THAT INABILITY TO BE IMPERVIOUS TO EXPERIENCING PLEASURE CAN BE REVERSED WITH THE TREATMENT OF THESE DISORDERS'💥💥💥

Our takeaway:  At this point, we need to realize that in life, purposely, we even organize events and encounters with others in the hope and anticipation that it will bring us FUN.  And unless something unexpected happens, we get enjoyment in such activities.  BUT the reality in life is that it is in the UNPLANNED events and encounters in life that often giving us the most joy.  Like a few years ago, I was walking alone in the bustling business district and suddenly, a guy walking opposite my direction suddenly hugged me and screaming my name at the same time.  Oh Oh, he was my classmate from yesteryears.  That was FUN no less.  Yes dude, it's THE JOURNEY THAT MATTERS.  HAVE FUN!!!