Making Life Juicy

by Marie T. Russell and Ms. Desmond Clarke

How's your life been lately? Has it been fun? What have you always wanted to do but haven't done yet? This month, let's do some of those things... Ever rolled down a hill? Call up an old friend and have those funnier than ever laughs? Go for it!

Making your life juicy involves the ability to see more into what our left brain or ego is saying to us. If your life seems to be boring... look again. Somewhere there is a way to change the situation by merely changing how we think about it! By using our creativity, we can find those fun things... like meeting your lover at the door in Saran wrap! Or, how about bowling? Or, taking yourself out to that special restaurant? Explore your life for those hidden treasures and you'll find those golden nuggets that make life shine.

Maybe we work too well and it seems that we do that all the time. Well, somewhere in there is a way to make work fun! Look at your objectives. Why did you take this job anyway? To just "pay the bills?" Ever think about why you are there? Remember your goals; are you on target?

Do you love what you're doing? If not, reanalyze your life. October is the month to do it! Look deep into yourself. Are you happy, are you glad to be where you are personally and professionally? Are you one whole person (not one way on the job and another at work)? Are you living life... or is life living YOU ?

Each day is an adventure waiting to behold the wonderful and glorious you that resides inside. It's like that commercial which gives the choice between boring vanilla or EXCITING vanilla! Juicy is that special energy that lets you see life differently. Forget the "what ifs?" If only this had happened... Well it didn't! So, get up and keep going! Watch children. Watch how they bounce back. They have resilience. We can become like that. When persons or events in your life seem strained and tense, jump up, sing, shout—change that energy, make your life fun. 

In a book entitled "You Don't Have To Go Home From Work Exhausted", by Ann McGee-Cooper with Duane Trammel and Barbara Lau, the authors encourage childlike behaviors: having fun; going from one interest to another when bored; curiosity; laughter; expressing emotions freely; creativity; physical action; constantly growing mentally and physically; taking risks; resting when you want to; shorter attention spans; learning enthusiastically; dreaming and imagining; believing in the impossible; not worrying; and being passionate about life.

We need to return to spontaneity... do things because they feel good, not because we've analyzed it to pieces. Making life juicy involves trusting ourselves so much that we do things simply because they appeal to us. Again, watch children. They don't need a reason to play. As adults, we need to give ourselves permission to play. Rather than turn fun things like bicycling, running, tennis, etc. into "exercise," simply enjoy them. You'll find that not only will you attain your goal of "being in shape" but when you focus on the fun in each activity, you'll come out of it refreshed and recharged instead of exhausted.

Let's give ourselves permission to have fun at the things we do and turn work into play. Be like a child, putting all of your attention and enthusiasm in what you're doing... and when your interest wanes, move on to another activity.

Making your life juicy means letting go of your rule book... no shoulds and no shouldn'ts. Simply go with your heart. Let there be a song and a bounce in every step you take. Life is to be enjoyed... not endured. Make yourself a list of fun things to do. Make sure your list has a lot of 5 to 10 minute activities that you can do throughout the day.

Loosen up! Lighten up! Put some zest in your life and we don't mean soap... unless it's to clear out some of those old patterns and beliefs that keep your nose to the grindstone. Start looking for and appreciating the beauty in your life... the friendship of co-workers, the pleasant conversation with the mailman, the enjoyment of an intuitive flash, the joy of dancing around the office to a wonderful song, etc. etc.

Have a juicy month! Love Your Self! Laugh, love, have fun, and be happy!

About The Author

Marie T. Russell is the publisher of InnerSelf Magazine (first published in 1985 as Mighty Natural Magazine). She produced a weekly South Florida radio broadcast, Inner Power, from 1991-1995 which focused on themes such as self-esteem, personal growth, and well-being. Her articles focus on transformation and reconnecting with our inner source of joy and creativity.

Marie's favorite book on this topic: 

"You Don't Have to Go Home from Work Exhausted!"
(A Program to Bring Joy, Energy, and Balance to Your Life)
by Ann McGee-Cooper.
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