Saturday, February 17, 2007

Pursuit of Fun

The challenge of today. Balancing depth with lightheartedness. I'm one of those girls that loves to discuss deep things, to probe into the deep dark core of the heart. To find intellectual surprises. But since moving here to Green Bay I've wanted balance. Somehow, it seemed "less than" or subtley "not ok" to actually ingest and provoke fun. I'm so sick of that box.

Deep spirituality and hilarity can walk hand in hand. I think they need to. Perhaps a parallel of surgeons joking about horrible ways to die is similar. I married a man that makes me laugh so hard, even in the midst of a terrible argument.
We take ourselves so darn seriously, sometimes. God forbid we be exposed.

So I'm laughing more, relaxing into my own skin and pursing lighthearted fun. It's good and folks - I LIKE it.

21 comments:

Unknown said...

As I sit and ponder your whole family...little Afton who with every step it seems she is discovering herself...intense and curious Cedar who reminds me what it is like to see the world through the eyes of a child...intense and hysterical Levi who reminds me that laughing and enjoying life are the real joys..and finally you...wonderful and profoundly caring Bethany who makes me feel like the most important person in the room. I love you guys so much. You have truly blessed my life and changed me. Thanks for all the memories...and for the ones to come.

Anonymous said...

Laughter is as valid a part of our foundation as deep spiritual probing is, but only if you believe in a God that is loving. I don't really think that our brief stint here absolutely has to be serious/hard/tedious/unrewarding/heavy/dark/ (finish with your own list).
Guilt for one's lightness and enjoyment is certainly a corrosive in the possibilities of one's life. Love and life deserve joy and ease. At least, some of the time.
Is there some distinct honor in constant gravity or moroseness? That seems to stink of pride.

However this lands on you, I'm sorry, or your welcome.

Elizabeth F. said...

That's one of Bethany's greatest qualities, she does make you feel like you are the most impt. and interesting person in the room. Maybe that is why it is easy to open up to her and expose your heart in her presence. Love ya!

Larky Park said...

G-F, Yes I think closer to pride, but disguised in fear. I think fear is pride as well. Truthfully, I've just been really tired the past 4 years as well. Mainly low energy due to no sleep due to the peapods ;) Normal I'm sure.

I also have a vein of the good ol people pleasin'. Our venture to Cali shattered a nice chunk of that.

The strange discovery is that while I could DO fun things, I rarely took the time or truly focused in on enjoying what I was experiencing. Why is that? I'm sure another area of freedom to be discovered...
I'm trying to figure out where the sense of guilt stemmed from, too.

I love the 30's - self-discovery made practical.

Anonymous said...

You bet, pride and fear are hand-holders.
Seems that a lot of the time, it takes a lot of focus in just one or two areas to do the growing we see clearly enough to pursue. So, some other aspects of life fall by the wayside. I think we notice those things once we get a handle on our previous focuses, foci, ...whatever.
Perhaps your new-found joy in joy is a signal that you've reached a plateau with the peapods and need to see to yourself a touch more now, both for your sake and theirs.

teresa aportela sergott said...

the godfather said:

"Perhaps your new-found joy in joy is a signal that you've reached a plateau with the peapods and need to see to yourself a touch more now, both for your sake and theirs."

excellent insight.

Dr. Seattle said...

You know, B, I can easily get intense on serious subjects. I think I took myself too seriously for too long. Hence the reason my blog is the way it is. There are serious things in life that need to be taken seriously, but that doesn't mean we have to be morose about it. In fact, I believe it is the distinct ability to find levity in the serious that allows us to be productive in the face of tough situations. Laughter is the best medicine. I eulogized my grnadfather, a constant joker, this week. While I am sad, it was the telling of his jokes and laughing at his light view of life that really helped us say goodbye. While the poet says there are "miles to go before I sleep," I think making time for comedy makes the miles easier on the feet.

levi fuson said...

adam....

oh how i wish we lived closer....

seriously, the thought of spooning with you makes me crazy.... :)

l.

Jenny W said...

the thought of levi spooning period...wow...anyhoo, i've learned from my children how to laugh and play again and i love it!

Elizabeth F. said...

Despite all of the hard work and sleepless nights, I love being a mom b/c I get to relive my childhood and have fun again! LOL!

Dr. Seattle said...

Levi, did you know that men spooned as a way to greet each other during the Cro-Magnon period of man? Word is that dogs observed this behavior during the time when man domesticated them and picked up a similar behavior. Given the difficulty of dogs with their quadroped stance to actually effectively spoon each other, they evolved to simply smell each other's butts. Frankly, I'd rather spoon with you, Levi.

Regardless, I too wish we lived closer. And that's why you and Bethany and the kids need to come visit and stay with us in Seattle. We'll eat sushi, steak, homemade desserts, consume copious amounts of the finest fermented beverages, smoke our pipes, go surfing, and maybe hike around a volcano. Then, on the seventh day, we'll rest. Like the Lord.

~adam

Anonymous said...

adam, I don't know you but you sound like a great spooner too.

spooning for all! lets all have a spoon fest! (clothed spooning only)

Larky Park said...

Surfing around a volcano while huffing on a stog sounds perfect - Can we bring the kids?

Anonymous said...

If there's gonna be volcano surfing, can I come? We have one right here in town, but it's pretty small, and I don't get to Mt. Hood often enough.
Also, I have some vintage spoons.

Dr. Seattle said...

g-f, you can come too, and it should be familiar to you as Rainier is in the same volcano lineage as Hood.

B, of course the kids can come. Who else is going to keep my kids occupied while we all pretend like we have no children?

mummers said...

Totally off the point, but I am in total awe of the number of ways my brother can spell Godfather...

Anonymous said...

Thank you, Sistah! I decided to not just sit here and rot.

Mrs. Sara said...

godfasshah

Larky Park said...

Mrs Sara, I distinctly see a cussword in that name. Damn, you're good!

Anonymous said...

Nice, Mrs. Sara! A perfect spelling of a "Goldmember" pronunciation.

levi fuson said...

LOL!!!!! HAHA!

l.