Having withdrawals

For the past month or so we have had a lot of  noise outside our apartment. Cars honking, fireworks, loud music, marching bands playing and marching etc. It was lively, many cars would line up going 1 mile a hour just to see the lights at the park but now, all that is gone and I miss it even when we all complained about it. Our apartment is so conveniently located right across from all that noise so all we had to do was walk to it but every neighbor in our building complained and complained.  The park across the street from us is the center of attention for millions of people who reside in Santo Domingo. The crowd is unreal like something I have never seen. Not even at Disneyland on the 4th of July. But is it what it is and it was so FUN while it lasted. Now I am going through withdrawals of missing all that.

Sometimes we get so caught up in looking at everything that bothers us and not appreciating what we have. We find ourselves doing “stuff” that we forget to take time to have a little fun in life. Between work, children, cleaning the house, community involvement, doing laundry, church responsibilities, etc, etc, etc, we simply don’t take time to get out and have a good time. Tonight I was reminded how amazing it would have felt to step away from everyday duties and just enjoy an evening out roaming the park but there are no lights. All that is gone, we missed our chance. We went a couple of times but didn’t stay long to see the entertainment.  Daniel has let life go far too long without having a “fun break”! He works and works and works all the time, poor guy. I have to tell all of you that I highly recommend that you all find a way to get out and just have some FUN in your life as often as you can manage, perhaps every weekend. Whether its seeing a good movie, hanging out with friends, going out to dinner, enjoying a concert – whatever it is that makes you laugh and smile and feel happy – get out and do it! You need that time to just have FUN!

There is not much you can do in the DR but from December 1 to January 6 the park across from us becomes a showcase of 50 million lights and plenty of performers. We went to it a couple of times and truly grateful that I had that “time-out” from normal life to just have FUN and do something different, too bad I never took any pictures.  

Moral of the story: Don’t get so caught up in finding what is wrong with the world that you forget to laugh and smile and play a little.  It is amazing how invigorating it can be to just remember what it is like to have fun in your life.  It is good for your heart and it is good for your soul.  It makes you feel more relaxed and happy and that helps improve your overall health.  Don’t let having fun become buried under a million other priorities.  Take this weekend and do something truly fun and enjoyable. Plan some dinner with friends which is what I will be doing, watch a movie.  Spend time with friends and family,  Just whatever you do, HAVE FUN! I wish I had more fun at the park while it lasted.