Walking home late one evening with some friends, I was struck by the idea of how much stress I had accumulated over the past year, and how I was still feeling anxiety over the remaining year of graduate school, the future search for a job, the future financial securities...basically concentrating so much energy into the future, that I was neglecting the present. In fact it occurred to me, as I looked down at my summery flip-flops, that I had forgotten how to be present. Here I was, listening to light-hearted laughter over the day's antics, breezing down Broadway under a full moon, surrounded by smiling, joyous people, and my concentration was only stopping in for a little check-up on the subject of conversation before jumping back into thoughts about what I needed to prepare for the next day.
I stopped myself in the street as a bolt of inspiration hit me and proclaimed to my friend Laura, "I am going to have fun. Everyday. Starting now." And with that, I ran towards the nearest scaffolding and launched myself onto the highest bar I could reach and gave a leaping split kick into the air.
(I honestly cannot tell you what came over me, but witnesses will testify that I had just imbibed a delicious concoction commonly known as "Bubble Tea"...known to induce glee and satisfaction within 15 minutes of digestion.)
Since that inspired revelation last week, I have stuck with the quest: A year of fun. Everyday. Something fun.
It's changed my life so far.
Monday: Recovering from the Fourth of July barbecue for the residents. 100 plus people, two charcoal grills, one social director in a sarong, and an evening of three fireworks displays from the rooftop. Running commenced to cover the cost of the hot dogs. Evening consisted of an inspiring presentation of a youth refugee film screening at the House.
Tuesday: The hottest day on record. Decided to tromp about in the park at 3pm and sweat the heat out. Funnily enough, I cooled off so much I slept like a baby that evening. Also had to bid farewell to a great friend who was returning to the Netherlands.
Wednesday: Running in the evening to cool off. Complete with a romp through some late-night sprinklers.
Thursday: Ice Cream Social and a mini-dance party in honor of the return of a beloved friend from the Czech Republic.
Friday: Party in honor of National Sugar Cookie Day. Spent the day sauna-like in the community kitchen, whipping up some homemade cookies for the event, and then decorated the pub. Danced and socialized til the wee hours of the morning.
Saturday: Energized from the week, went on a run and did some Rocky-esque log tossing in the wooded area of the park. Then rode over to East Harlem to catch up with a friend and explore the neighborhood. Nothing like Puerto Rican hoots and hollers to raise the self-esteem. Gracias, papi, but no, I did not drop your heart in the street, nor will I bend down to get it for you.
Sunday: The World Cup finals. Spain pulled through, though it took them long enough. Rehearsal for a staged reading at Ripley-Grier studios made me feel like a real NYC actor.
Thus far, the commitment to fun has proved to be the best idea I've had in....well, ever. Try it out for a week - seek out something fun everyday - and you tell me just how much it rocks.
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