I just can’t help but notice, some people just don’t seem to be having any fun. I mean I know sometimes you gotta be all serious and get down to business but jeez, even that can be fun. And the truth is even in business the more fun you have doing it, the more effective you are at it.

Fun is one of those things that’s totally free, and you really don’t even have to work at it to have it. Another really neat thing about it is that it’s always right where you are. Wherever you go, fun is right there with you. Maybe not always readily visible but right there just below the surface, there it is. Sometimes you just have to adjust your view a little to see it.

I guess the thing that makes it seem so illusive to some is the fact that you do have to choose it. Fun only pokes it’s head above the surface when actively called upon to do so. It’s a state of mind. One of those things that can be either induced or suppressed at will.

I’m reminded of a story here:

Two brothers went to ride ponies on their uncle’s ranch, but first the uncle insisted that they shovel a large pile of manure out of a stall. One brother hated the project, and grumbled his way through a few halfhearted scoops. The other brother was laughing and singing and shoveling with abandon. “What are you so happy about?” the first brother asked. “Well,” the second brother replied, “with all this manure, there must be a pony in here someplace!”

The second brother gets it. Life’s the same way. Even while shoveling the manure that comes along with living a full life, get yourself to focus on what lies on the other side of the pile you’re dealing with and you clear the way to have fun while getting to it.

This week, just like last week and the days and weeks that will follow, you will be in situations where you’ll have to make a choice. Do this thing and be miserable the whole time I’m doing it, or get focused on the pony ride on the other side of the task at hand and really have some fun with it.

I invite you to join the ranks of those of us who take our parties with us wherever we go. That way wherever you are there’s a party going on. Another side benefit to having fun is that it’s contagious. The more fun you have, the more fun everybody around you has. How many people do you know who have more fun in their lives than they can stand. They have so much fun that they’re standing in line trying to return some. I’ll venture a guess and say not many. I don’t even have that much fun! (I’m working on it though.)

Make it a goal this week to see how much fun you can generate no matter what you’re doing. You’ll probably surprise yourself.

Thanks for stopping in.

Live some. Love some. Learn some. Everyday.

C…

Clyde Lee Dennis, a.k.a. “SmoothLee” has been bumping around on the web since 1999 and is a self described “Web Head, and Life long AVID music fan”. Smooth Jazz Music in particular. In addition to writing CD Reviews for I Love Smooth Jazz.com he is also the Program Director, and can be heard during his daily radio show which airs on one of the internets most listened to smooth jazz radio stations, Smooth Jazz 24/7

As visitors at the Indiana State Fair you might find yourself surrounded by a pack of goats on Goat Mountain. This is a fun area for the kids to explore, pet goats of all kinds and observe how free roaming goats interact with one another. You adults might just get into the fun too, but be careful with your fingers as some goats can be overeager when hand fed.

The fair is held every August in Indianapolis. One of the more famous buildings involved in the fair is the Pepsi Coliseum. Normally it’s used for concerts and sports during the rest of the year, but at fair time it’s taken over for the farm animal shows and Draft Horse competitions.

Farming is very important in Indiana and as such much of the State Fair is devoted to teaching kids all about how the farming industry works and is woven into the tapestry of life. In the Pioneer Village kids will be able to walk paths following the growth of real live crops all the way to the purchase of food at the store.

Those who got a chance to see the Draft Horse competitions in the Coliseum can head over the Draft Horse Barn and get an up close view of those Championship Clydesdales, Percherons, Halflingers, and Belgians. There’s also a separate barn for the Saddle Horses if your kids love the idea of having their own horse to ride around.

As always the Antique Tractor Show will draw a few interested parties. You can find just about every size, color, age and make of tractor at these shows. Some are very old and turned dull gray with age, others are painted in eye catching colors like a vibrant orange or green.

The Midway will offer up plenty of hot and cold treats for the whole family. Look for fresh made lemonade, squeezed from lemons and shaken not stirred, right in front of you. Or you can munch on some hot fries in a cup, slathered with vinegar, salt and ketchup. I think you’re going to need a fork for those.

Gail Leino is known throughout the internet world as Mrs. Party. She has become the internet’s leading authority on selecting the best possible party supplies with clever themes. Her simple party planning approach demostrates how to use proper manners while teaching etiquette with organizational skills. She shares lots of interesting fun facts. See travel vacations for more tips and holiday spot destinations.

You’ll find the North Carolina State Fair each October in Raleigh, NC. It’s a ten day event with lots of variety regardless of whether you prefer the games, rides, free entertainment, fireworks, carnival food, or just love to look at the cute animals that are brought in. When you come to visit the fair you’ll find two hotels that are within walking distance of the fairgrounds, a Ramada Inn and Comfort Suites. However both of these hotels fill up fast so you may want to make reservations well in advance.

Food at the fair consists of a mixture of carnival flavors and southern comfort. You will not only find Carolina BBQ and Fried Catfish but you’ll be ruining your sugar free diet on a snack of deep fried Candy Bar. Yes, an entire candy bar is frozen, dipped in batter and fried to golden goodness. On the fairgrounds there is also the Cinnamon Bun Saloon, which is rumored to have the best Cinnamon Buns and Hot Coffee at the fair.

If you like racing come check out the agriculturally influenced Circle C Racing Pigs. Several times daily at the Hogway Speedway you can watch racing potbelly pigs, waddling ducks, and pygmy goats heading round the race track.

The Village of Yesteryear is very popular amongst the fairgoers. There are usually more than 75 exhibits all demonstrating activities from the past. Craft artists not only display fine quilts, needlework and leatherwork, they sell it to interested fairgoers. Come watch artists spin wool into yarn, weave the yarn into cloth and make that cloth into useable objects. There is also a range o Native American pottery, beadwork and carvings.

Folk music is a big hit at this fair and the Folk Festival is a competition that runs the course of the entire fair. Musicians from all over come to the festival in order to compete for the Bascom Lamar Lunsford Trophy. The award is given to those persons who best represent North Carolina’s musical heritage. You’ll find bluegrass, square dancing and even clogging at this event.

While at the fair don’t forget to check out the free fireworks every single night. Your kid’s may feel left out if you don’t head over to the Kiddieland Fun Park or stop and chat with on of the Mobile Robots that roam the fair.

Gail Leino is known throughout the internet world as Mrs. Party. She has become the internet’s leading authority on selecting the best possible party supplies with clever themes. Her simple party planning approach demostrates how to use proper manners while teaching etiquette with organizational skills. She shares lots of interesting fun facts. See travel vacations for more tips and holiday spot destinations.