The Power Of Fun

Adult nonfiction

     At first glance it might look incongruous, if not downright contradictory, for me to follow a review of Toxic Positivity with one of The Power Of Fun.  Actually they're quite compatible.  The former teaches how to escape from the pressure of performing Don't Worry; Be Happy! 24/7.  The latter instructs us on how to liberate ourselves in another way.

     "When is the last time you had fun?

     I'm serious.  Think about it.  When was the last time you felt exhilarated and lighthearted?  When was the last time you didn't feel judged by yourself or other people?"

     Catherine Price asks readers that question at the beginning of The Power Of Fun:  How To Feel Alive Again.  She advises us not to feel discouraged if we can't answer it.  Many of us feel that we're too grown up to have fun.  Even more of us feel that we're much too busy to take on one more commitment.

     Some of us may be asking what's the big deal if we're missing out on something so seemingly frivolous.

     Price says that it's very big deal.  She shows us how true fun, which she visualizes as happening at the intersection of playfulness, connection (usually with other people), and flow, is essential to our thriving, leading to more happiness, better health, and less stress.  She also helps us to distinguish between true fun and the fake fun alternatives society confuses us with.  Binge watching, anyone?  She sees overuse of devices as an especially prevalent time suck.

     The best part of the book is the extensive instructions on building fun into your life.  Questions and suggestions for reflection can help you seek or create your own peak fun experiences.  The tone is encouraging and non judgmental.  

     If you sometimes feel like you're dead inside or sense that there's something really missing from your life The Power Of Fun will be a really helpful read.

On a purrrsonal note, creating this nearly 12-year-old blog is a peak fun experience for me.  It starts when I find a description of a book that I really want to read and write its name and author in my notebook.  I feel a fizzy sense of excitement when I put in an order for a bunch of books via inter library loan.  I've been known to do my happy dance when I pick them up.  Of course reading with Tobago all snuggled up and finding just the right words for my review combines playfulness, connection with my readers, and a state of flow.  After over a decade it doesn't get old.  I love campus activities and spending time with people who get me and my best little cat in the world.  And following my impulses.  Sometimes in Goodwill or Walmart or another store I hear a good song and start full out dancing like I'm in a movie.  People clap and thank me.  It's great practice for my most peak of peak fun experiences which is performing in drag shows. (Jules)

Fun is playing with catnip toys, bird watching, hide and seek, cat treats, eating, clawing the sofa, snuggling with my people, and getting belly rubs.  (Tobago)

A great big shout out goes out to our readers with hopes that you will make time in your lives for fun.

Tobago and Jules Hathaway 

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