For The Love of God...HAVE FUN! -- Cat

As you may or may not know, I am currently on a cross- country adventure, driving across the greatest country in the world- America. I was planning to make a quick trip and fly from Las Vegas to Florida to see my mom for Mother's day, but then my boyfriend suggested we take the RV and drive across the country. This way I could see things I have never seen, see friends I haven't been with in a long time and even meet some new folks along the way. At first, I felt panic. Taking almost a month off of work would be impossible, but then I thought... if not now, when? We humans are funny beings. We often seem to be putting fun things off until tomorrow, thinking tomorrow will always come and often it does. Though if you asked Bret Michaels what he'd do differently, he'd probably say he wished he had played more.

So far Todd has coerced me to climb a mountain in Sedona (I have a horrific fear of heights and ledges), read maps better (you do NOT want me navigating with you), ride mountain bikes and canoe in slightly rough waters (huh??). I have to say that I feel really good about overcoming obstacles I was convinced I had. I really love being out and seeing new scenery every day. We've been video-blogging for fun so that friends and family can join my twitter page and view things they may have never seen or even known is out there.

While in Nashville, we caught up with old friends for dinner and then we all convened back to Jellystone RV Park, (just off of Boo Boo Avenue). We hung out at our motor home just having fun until about 1:00 AM.

One of our friends, a very successful man, sat quietly for a bit taking everything in. After a bout of thoughtful silence, he suddenly said, "Wow. I just this minute realized that though I have had an interesting and good life, I haven't really lived. my life. I've been so busy working, I kind of forgot to have fun."

I understood exactly what he was saying. Up until a year ago I was a pure bred work-a-holic. I never thought of it that way because I loved everything I did but I hadn't actually traveled for fun. Taking a vacation always seemed like a bit of a nightmare to me. I never felt like I needed a vacation. After all, I live in Las Vegas Nevada, vacation capitol of the world!

Now I am not saying a vacation is what you need and in this economy it can be a challenge. But perhaps a change of your state of mind is all that's required. Perhaps I am here this month just to remind you to please have fun.

A big challenge for some folks is to realize what fun is for them. It's been so long they can't figure it out. Children have no problem figuring out what fun is. So how do we get back to having fun the way our children do? Keep it simple.

Children don't over think things, they don't do much analyzing, they see things in their purest state, in their simplest forms and enjoy things for what they are. The older we get the more complicated our toys get. Maybe it would do your soul some good to stop thinking so much, stop wanting so much, and just be. Inside that being you may get some good information, ideas, and inspiration.

It's critical to take time for yourself, or you may wake up 25 years later with a bewildered look on your face wondering how you missed fun-time. There's no one to blame but ourselves if we don't look for the fun in life, but in order to do this we need to change the programming. Experiencing new things is like breathing fresh air in for our soul. Like listening to beautiful music... it calms our nerves and reduces our stress.

I guess what this all boils down to is simply this: Please take time to stop and smell the Starbucks. Do something fun for yourself, even if it's just a little thing.

Figure out what would be fun and make you happy, then seek it. Ask your husband and kids to help make this a reality for you. The answer is always no unless you ask, you'll be surprised how much people will help you with this if you simply ask. And if you can't figure it out, then help someone else have fun, starting with your mom or grandmother. It is after all, Mother's Day! Instead of buying a gift, give them a gift. Ask what you can do to give them a fun day. Then make it the most fun your mind can imagine for them. Giving like this can be insanely fun and both parties win.

In the meantime, remember that you are, have always been, and will always be... LOVED.

Happy Mother's Day,
Cat