"A Way to Find Enjoyment" (repost from Life Support)

A WAY TO FIND ENJOYMENT
 
At one time, Bangkok television aired the American situation comedy
LaVerne and Shirley. For whatever reason, officials there believed 
that a disclaimer was necessary for the Thailand audience, so this 
subtitle was added to each show: "The two women depicted in the 
following episode are from an insane asylum."

Personally, I'm thankful there is a little silliness in the world. 
And I don't mind not acting like everybody else. Like the 
"irrepressible" educator and speaker Leo Buscaglia once said: "I don't 
mind if people think I'm crazy. In fact, I think it's great! It 
gives me tremendous latitude for behavior."

Buscaglia knew how to laugh. And I think knowing how to laugh and 
have fun is an important part of living.

Someone asked me what I do for fun. I felt I should answer with 
something others enjoy, like golf or skiing. But my idea of fun is 
not usually associated with entertainment and recreation. It is more 
about squeezing as much enjoyment into every day as I can. Instead 
of looking for something fun to do, I try to make whatever I do a 
little more fun. And if I can't always do things I enjoy, I can 
learn to enjoy more of the things I do.

I like the word "enjoyment" because it has "joy" inside of it. So 
does the word "rejoice." And rejoicing is a way to find enjoyment of 
life.

Speaking of Leo Buscaglia, he used to tell a story about his mother 
and their "misery dinner." It was the night after his father came 
home and said it looked as if he would have to go into bankruptcy 
because his partner had absconded with their firm's funds. His 
mother's response was to sell some of her jewelry to buy food enough 
for a grand feast. At first, other members of the family scolded her 
for it. But she told them that "the time for joy is now, when we 
need it most, not next week." They learned to appreciate the hopeful 
attitude that lifted them out of fear and into joy.

I want to learn to be happy even in those difficult and trying 
times. I won't be happy FOR them (who likes problems?), just IN 
them. I need the soothing medicine of laughter when it hurts. I want 
to learn that the time for joy is now, when I need it most.

Maybe it sounds silly, but I want to learn to rejoice in all things. 
And If I'm doing that well, it really doesn't matter what I like to 
do for fun.

-- Steve Goodier

http://www.lifesupportsystem.com/index.html