ROCK thru to Spontaneous Living and Embracing Joy
ABUNDANT LIVING SERIES
by Lee Havenga | March 28, 2024
This week’s topic hits close to home because, let’s be real, I sometimes take life a tad too seriously. Deadlines, commitments, and a never-ending to-do list can easily overshadow life’s fun and excitement. But guess what? Not this time! Recently, our friends took off to the tropics, and we surprised them by joining them for a long weekend. With a few scheduling adjustments and a whole lot of ROCKing thru Brett and I found ourselves hopping on a plane for an impromptu getaway. Sharing these messages with you is important to me, but truly ROCKing thru life means owning the joy of spontaneity too. So, in this Abundant Life series article, I’ll share how to have more on-the-fly fun and temporarily set aside the heavy responsibility, all for the love of living fully.
A well-lived life is measured by the depth of experiences, not the length of your to-do list.
OWNERSHIP
Apply it
- Prioritize Playtime: Sometimes spontaneity takes intentionality. Set aside specific time slots in your weekly schedule dedicated to being free and available. Treat these moments as non-negotiable appointments with yourself, just like you would a meeting or deadline. When they come, use the time for an activity that you’d like to do but never have the time for.
- Embrace Imperfection: Practice letting go of perfectionism to allow for new experiences. Start small with a small list of activities that you’ve always wanted to try. For example, if you’ve never cooked Indian food, experiment with unfamiliar spices and a new recipe and embrace any mistakes or surprises that arise.
- Say Yes to New Experiences: Challenge yourself to say yes to at least one new opportunity or experience each month. This could be trying a new food, exploring a new hobby, or attending an event you wouldn’t normally consider. Saying yes opens doors to growth and exciting adventures.
- Make Space for Fun: Determine your priorities and limits to create a little space in your life to allow for spontaneous fun. Then, communicate these clearly to others using the “No Sandwich” technique from the book Boundaries: When to Say Yes, How to Say No to Take Control of Your Life by Dr. Henry Cloud and Dr. John Townsend.
- Start with a Positive: Begin by acknowledging the positive aspects of the request or situation.
- State Your Boundary (Say No): Clearly communicate your boundary or limitation.
- End with a Positive: Conclude your response on a positive note or offer an alternative solution. This technique helps you protect your time and well-being while maintaining healthy relationships.
It could sound something like this:
“I appreciate you considering me for this extra project, and I’m glad to see our team tackling new challenges. However, I currently have other commitments that require my attention and focus. I’m confident that with the team’s capabilities, we can handle this project effectively. I’m open to discussing my availability for future opportunities as they arise.”
Remember, my fellow ROCKers, life is a beautiful dance between responsibility and spontaneity. So, take charge of your joy with Ownership, and let’s ROCK thru life together with more fun and adventure! XO ~ Lee
Source:
Cloud, Henry, and John Townsend. Boundaries: When to Say Yes, How to Say No to Take Control of Your Life. Zondervan, 1992.
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