Just 4 Fun
Watching Sunni enjoy herself reminds me of when I was a child. Being carefree, finding joy by simply doing things just for the sake of having fun.
Watching her play has taught me a valuable lesson as an adult, one that we all seem to lose sight of at one point or another. We get so preoccupied with the urgency of our lives that we lose our joy. We forget how to just have fun! No money, no fancy trips, or fancy clothes. No expensive electronics, just taking the time to enjoy the simple nuances of life.
Going outside meant everything as a child. It represented freedom. Freedom to roam about, freedom to use your imagination. We would find joy in a cool breeze, or watching the birds fly, pretending we had their capabilities. Watching a beautiful sunset…smelling the sweet aroma of the colorful flowers. Watching butterflies dance through the air, or the unique shape of the clouds above. It’s amazing how little things we once found so interesting as children get completely lost in time during our pursuit of money and a career.
There is something so peaceful and relaxing about slowing down to observe and appreciate all of the fine details of our lives. Taking time to be present in the moment. To reflect, and stop giving energy to our worries.
Watching Sunni reminded me that my camera has multiple purposes. But most importantly, my camera can be used as a tool for inspiring fun. You don’t need to worry about creating award winning photos every time you pick up your camera. You don’t have to drive yourself crazy trying to please strangers online with the quality of your work. It’s not necessary for everything to be so serious! So categorically important and immediate that it evokes anxiety and pressure.
It’s ok to use your camera just for the sake of having fun! So while you’re out creating your next “serious” work of art, remember to make some time to allow yourself to just have fun.
You can thank me later!
Good Old Fashion Fun!
I love teaching modern kids about the many different ways us old-schoolers would entertain ourselves “back in the day” before the digital takeover. From board games, to marbles, jump rope, hula hoops, jacks, to flying kites, there were plenty of interesting options that didn’t require electricity. And believe it or not, we even had some awesome electronic games too! But, one of the most simple, yet enjoyable ways to have fun was blowing bubbles.
Nowadays there are plenty of fancy and elaborate bubble making devices that would wow even most adults. So I bought Sunni a cute little dolphin bubble gun that sprays hundreds of bubbles within seconds, all while emitting a cool multicolored LED light. She instantly fell in love with it and not a single day would pass where she wouldn’t ask to go outside to use it. I started thinking, I wonder if she would feel the same sense of enjoyment from using the old dip stick style bubble maker? Knowing that this 3 year old probably wouldn’t be thrilled initially to make bubbles manually, I figured maybe this could be a fun and more rewarding challenge?
Of course I needed to take the time to teach her the proper technique. Needless to say, the much slower paced process did not sit well with the anxious youngster. But what she didn’t realize was, I was also trying to teach her the art of patience. Being so accustomed to the instant gratification of toys that do all the work for her, it was very frustrating for her to learn how to slow down and be gentle. I told her, “you have to work for it” “you make the bubbles, not a machine”. “Take your time, and don’t give up”.
After a bunch of angry attempts and quitting a few times, she eventually figured it out. Just as I had hoped, learning to create bubbles on her own made her even more excited than the bubble gun! And after a few days of practice she was discovering all the little nuances of making bubbles. Multiple little bubbles, to giant singular bubbles. She was totally getting the hang of it.
Throughout this entire process I couldn’t help but think of one of my kid’s favorite old SpongeBob episodes, where he teaches Squidward how to make bubbles. If you know, you know… But, I had fun teaching Sunni something new, and I enjoyed watching her have fun the same way I did as a kid. What goes around can come back around if we continue to pass things on to the children. Now Sunni is a bubble making pro! 😉
ANTI-social Anxiety
I’ve been very reluctant to post any new work lately. I’ve been so disillusioned with all of “social media” Seriously wondering if it’s really worth it anymore? But whatever…😕
Catching Rainbows © 2018
We Love Summer!
It’s starting to get really hot out. Most adults try to avoid the heat as much as possible but, kids sometime seem completely unaffected by it. What is it about being young that gives kids the energy to have fun in any situation? Maybe it’s there active imaginations? Maybe it’s their naïveté? It could be a combination of both? Whatever the case, kids definitely know how to make the most out of their recreational time. Here’s a perfect example. I spotted kids outside enjoying their summer, trying to cool off in the intense July heat. What’s the best way to stay outside and stay cool at the same time? Water! Kids love summer and they love to splash around in the water. Walking past these children playing makes me instantly nostalgic thinking back to my own childhood. It’s a shame that growing up steals so much of this innocent joy from our lives. As I close my eyes and listen to the sounds of the children having fun I can’t help but wish that it was me and my best friends all over again. Just being outside, living, totally unconcerned with the heat and relishing every moment of our free time together.
Imagination
Discovering buried treasure
A beautiful bird’s feather
Imaginary eye glasses
See who runs fastest
Loud animal sounds
Playful angry frowns
The frightening zombie child
The wide bright smile
My imagination is great
My freedom, my joy, my escape
Ashawna outside playing in the yard using her imagination to have fun. Remember when you were a child and that’s all you really needed to have a good time?
My Sister & Me
Two adorable little sisters using their imagination to have fun playing outside on a cool, windy spring afternoon.
Water Park Fun
A few selections from one of my many trips to the new water park in downtown Columbus.
Versatility By RNJ 