I read a book once called View from a Bouncy Castle by a comedian called Adrian Plass.  I don’t remember much about the book but the part about his experience with the bouncy castle has stayed with me.

Parents take their children to fun parks and dutifully supervise/support their children while they play on rides.  Adrian watched the children playing and having fun on this bouncy castle , wishing he could have fun on it too.

While waiting for his child on the castle, he leaned against the side of it.  Feeling the bouncing and the energy he edged himself back so that he was sitting on the side.  He looked at all the other parents who were watching and possibly wishing they too, could have a ride but refrain because it’s “not what parents should do”.

He could restrain himself no more.  He launched himself up onto the bouncy castle and played with the children – jumping off the walls and having the time of his life.

How many times have you wished you could join in the fun but held yourself back because it’s not cool, or the “thing you do”, or that you would be embarrassed?

For fourteen years I lived with a person who sat on the sidelines because he didn’t want to make a scene, or for whatever reason, and I held myself back because of him – or did I merely use him as an excuse?  I am a naturally friendly, bubbly person.  I love to have fun.  Why did I allow someone else’s “rules” to stop me from having fun?  Keeping myself contained was diminishing my possibilities for fulfillment.

“SCREW IT”, I say!  I will have fun and I hereby implore all others to have fun as well.

If I keep a lid on the bubbles of fun inside of me, then something has got to give somewhere else.  I no longer treat myself with such disrespect!

Here’s to your fun!