by Kate Johns

Created on: October 11, 2007

How to get more enjoyment out of life.

Being an adult can be incredibly boring. Sitting at the same traffic light you sit at every morning on your way to work. Sitting at a computer everyday typing articles to make a living. Standing in line at the grocery store, while that little old lady in front of you counts her endless supply of pennies for the tenth time.

Numb. That's how you start to feel numb-kind of like you went to the dentist and she numbed one side of your mouth. But you've got it going on all over your body, and your mind feels like it is slowly shutting down because you have been taken over by the computer in the movie " 2001."

If you're feeling as numb as the Edge in the U2 video for the song , " Numb." Even if someone messes with your hair and it doesn't affect you, then it's time to do something about it. It's time to get some enjoyment out of life. And No, I'm not talking about taking drugs, or drinking alcohol to numb your brain until you have to go to work again.

It's time to do something different-to make a major change or to make small changes that make you feel good. And you don't even have to take an expensive vacation to get away from it all-because it's still going to be there when you get back. In fact, it doesn't have to cost you anything. You can do it right at home, all by yourself. (No, not that-EWWW! Gross).

Act like a little kid again. Get in touch with your inner child. Do something crazy, right now. Okay, maybe not right now if you're reading this from your office, or cubicle at work. Wait till you get home.

Maybe you already act like a little kid every day, and every day is a creative, fun, wild ride for you. Maybe you act so adult every day, you've become a stuffy old person that I'm sorry to say, "Everyone finds boring." Don't argue with me either, because I'm not taking , "No," for an answer. Who cares if you're eighty or if you're thirteen and act like you're fifty. It's time to get up and shake that thing.

And I mean that quite literally-turn on some music and dance-if you can without breaking something. Sit in a chair and listen to music that makes you happy. Take 15 minutes, an hour, or maybe even an entire day an act like a kid again. The housework, the bills, and the grocery shopping can wait . If you don't remember how to do this, just think back to when you were young and what was really fun for you.

Okay if you can't think back that far by stepping out of the norm, and having some fun, then get on the floor with your kids, grandkids, nieces, nephews, or another adult even who is willing to have some fun. And I'm talking about real kid stuff here. There's no cheating here-so no you can't play poker, or spin the bottle, or buy a new car, or get your hair colored.

Color in a coloring book, or play a video game, or jacks again, or hopscotch, or blow bubbles. Slide down the slide at an amusement park, and yell your head off like you're ten again. Read a kid's book-like one of the Harry Potter books. Read the Cat in the Hat books and challenge yourself to talk in rhyme for an entire hour. Laugh out loud about something silly. If all else fails, watch the movie, "Big", with Tom Hanks in it and try doing some of the stuff he does.

Other adults will probably think you're crazy for enjoying yourself, or your kids will say-"Mom's lost it." Then just turn around, with your crayons in hand, and say, "Oh grow up."

Learn more about this author, Kate Johns.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.