You Don’t Need to Be a Kid to Have Fun

John shares how his annual tradition of going on a trip with his child reminds him how to be a kid and have fun.

“When he worked, he really worked. But when he played, he really, really PLAYED!” 
― Dr. Seuss

I don’t enjoy convertibles in August. In particular in the southern Florida heat.

I don’t typically eat at the Olive Garden. In particular two nights in a row.

I don’t usually come back from dinner and eat popcorn in bed while watching the Disney Channel.

And I don’t often play mini golf, float on lazy rivers or go down a large waterslide repeatedly… all before a speaking event.

But last week, in Orlando, I did every one of those things.

Why?

For the last several years my kids get to join me on a “Daddy Trip” to a speaking event. They review my schedule and choose where they want to go. They then get to choose every activity we do while we’re there together.

The kids think the experience is all about them having fun. It’s not. It’s actually me being really selfish and making an excuse to spend incredibly special time with them, getting to even better know them as individuals.

Last week my youngest, Grace, went on her very first trip with me. She chose Orlando and picked every single thing we did while there: the waterslide, mini golf, popcorn; all her choices!

And, all things I would never ever have done by myself – sprinting through my days. And all things I had an absolute blast doing with my little Grace.

How to be like a kid to have fun.

My friends, doesn’t it seem children have more fun than adults? They smile far more often, skip more frequently, laugh a bit louder and enjoy life a lot more.

Last week my daughter reminded me how fun travel can be and how good life still is. It’s a lesson I savored with her, one I look forward to experiencing again next summer with the kids, but also one I hope to live out throughout the year.

You don’t need to be a kid to have fun. You just need to act like one.

Today is your day.  Live Inspired.
John O’Leary