My twelve-year-old daughter Margaret suggested today’s topic after I read to her the list of things I’ve written about so far. Perhaps she sees a lack in my January program. Perhaps she sees a wisdom void that she is uniquely qualified to fill.

Here is our interview.

Me: I have a hard time having fun. I don’t really know how. What do you think is fun?

Margaret: Slurpees in the wintertime. Going for walks in the rain. Jumping on trampolines.

Me: Since I gave birth to you, trampolines aren’t fun anymore.

Margaret: Why? I ruin fun, don’t I?

Me: No, you don’t ruin fun. Why do you think fun is important?

Margaret: Because if you don’t have fun, you’re serious all the time. Then other people don’t have fun. Then they’re serious all the time.

Me: What is wrong with being serious all the time? Mr. Collins is serious all the time. (Note: She is reading Pride and Prejudice right now)

Margaret: And he poops the party.

Me: What should I do to have more fun in my life?

Margaret: Be spontaneous.

Me: What do you mean?

Margaret: You don’t always have to plan everything out. Read three books a week that you don’t know what they are about. Just pick a random book out of the library bookcase.

Me: Does that sound like something that would be fun for me?

Margaret: Spontaneous. Once a month go to a new place to eat or go to. Like a coffee shop. That sounds fun, doesn’t it?

Me: Not really.

Margaret: Why doesn’t that sound fun?

Me: Because it all sounds like a waste of time.

Margaret: That’s what fun is. That’s what fun is all about.

Me: I think my advice to myself is going to be, don’t have fun. Fun sounds awful. I would rather get work done. And that’s okay.

Margaret: No, that’s not fun though. That’s just okay.

Me: I’m good with just okay for now. Maybe I’ll jump on trampolines when I’m an old lady. I’ll be peeing my pants all the time by then anyway, so it won’t matter.

Margaret: (laughing)

Me: That was fun, wasn’t it?

Margaret: Yes.

Journal Ideas:

Write about the last time you had fun. Who were you with? What were you doing? What does it take for you to forget about everything else and really have fun?

What future event are you looking forward to? How does anticipation of joy give you happiness?

What was fun for you as a kid? Are you any different now?

If money were no object, list ten things you would do just for the pure fun of it.