The Key to Happiness

Getting gas doesn't have to be a chore

In a Huffingtonpost.com article, author/coach/consultant Joe Robinson states,

"Grownups aren't supposed to play. We have problems. We're too busy. We have important things to do. It turns out, though, that there are few things more important to your happiness than frequent doses of play. As a study led by Princeton researcher Alan Krueger found, of all the things on the planet, we're at our happiest when we're involved in engaging leisure activities."

"Engaging leisure activities" is just fancy-talk for good old fashioned phrases like "horsing around," "goofing off," "running amok," or just "play."  He goes on to identify the essential qualities of play-time,

1. Play is 100-percent experience.
2. It's done for the intrinsic pleasure, for the participation.
3. With no judgment or outcomes needed, play grounds you in the now.

The interesting thing to note is that these qualities are not tied to a particular place, activity, or event.  As adults, we tend to fall into the trap of thinking that "play" or even "fun" can only take place if you've paid a lot of money, are far away from home, and are doing something that involves some or all of the following activities: eating, drinking, sex, or sports.  I think "Las Vegas" says it all.

The benefits of having a child-like sense of wonder, awe, and play were even espoused by a guy named Jesus,

“Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.” -Matthew 18:3

When we look back on our lives, it is unlikely that we will measure our success by the size of our bank accounts, properties, or business dealings.  So why spend our time worrying about the future and holding on to ideas and expectations of how things should be?  What we all really seem to be "working" for is joy of living, and that is something that is available to us 24/7/365.

So where are you going to play today?

(See Joe Robinson's full article here)

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About Tony Fed

Tony is the host of the Paleo Magazine Radio podcast, author of "Paleo Grilling: A Modern Caveman's Guide to Cooking with Fire", and Cofounder of Powerful PT, an innovative information resource for Fitness Professionals. He has appeared on numerous local and national television and radio broadcasts and regularly hosts healthy cooking workshops and informational lectures. He is also a full-time Personal Trainer and Wellness Consultant who lives in Jacksonville Florida with his wife Jamie.