Donuts for Lunch!

Life can get monotonous with responsibilities and every day stresses, can’t it? I’m all for hard work and discipline, but there are times you just need to take a break and have some fun. Sometimes, we may long for a luxurious vacation, to travel to another country or to go on some huge adventure. Things like that are great if you have the opportunity, but what about fun and adventure in everyday life?  Why do we have to wait for a huge event, to enjoy our lives right where we’re at? If we don’t make time now, we’ll surely miss out on some of the greatest joys of life right before us. And I daresay, that the little adventures we take in the midst of life’s busyness, may become some of the most wonderful memory making times of our lives.

As a homeschool mom, along with the responsibilities of pastoring a church with my husband, my schedule can be quite intense. Summer break is “supposed” to be a little less busy, but you know how life is…. responsibilities seem to creep in and fill any extra time one has. Drivers ED class for my teenager, organizing and cleaning things that got neglected during the school year, and always, the unexpected things that pop up, screaming for my attention. Honestly, life is always busy, so we just need to make time for some fun. I want to encourage you to not let the phrase, “I’m too busy!” kill your adventures before they even begin. Did you know that studies even show that taking breaks is key to greater productivity? So say goodbye to guilt and hello to fun!

Today, with much on our schedule, I said to the boys let’s go eat donuts for lunch! They looked at me like, “Who are you, and what have you done with our mother?” You see, I’m the health nut in the house. Emphasis on “nut.” Just yesterday, they were glaring at me with disdain, as I handed them a glass of spinach juice to drink.  Thankfully, I’ve learned that balance is necessary in life, and a little unexpected not only brings fun, but makes lasting memories.  We put our to-do list to the side, and took a trip to Duck Donuts, where you can pretty much design your own donuts, with glazes, toppings and drizzles galore. We’ve never been there before, so the boys were excited. Creating our donut masterpieces and the taste of hot donuts melting in our mouths was lots of fun, but more importantly were the memories we made on our spur of the moment adventure. Memories we would have missed out on, had I been too caught up in the busyness of life and unwilling to take a little detour for fun.

God has blessed us with this beautiful gift of life. It may come with some bumps along the way, but it’s a gift nonetheless. I’m a firm believer that we’ve been created for a purpose and have much to accomplish while on this earth, but I also believe God wants us to enjoy the journey. So, how can you take time to do this right where you’re at? How can you add a little fun and adventure even in the midst of busyness? Your list may look different than mine, but here are few things I thought of to get you started:

• Try a new recipe and cook together with your significant other or kids
• Google fun things to do near you and try some! (I discovered some nature preserves, museums, farmer’s markets and other places I didn’t even know about right in my own back yard!)
• Go to the beach and watch the sunset
• Create something! Look on Pinterest for some ideas.
• Take a drive and enjoy the scenery
• Sit down & write a bucket list of fun things you can incorporate into your life. Remember, it doesn’t have to be expensive! Some of life’s best treasures are simple and free!

Whatever you choose, the point is, to make the time right now to enjoy your life. If we wait for the perfect opportunity, or let busyness consume us, we may miss out on some of life’s best adventures. Ok, so what are you waiting for??!! Go have some fun!