Recently I had the privilege of sharing with a small group of very important leaders.  I focused on the importance of breaking free from our teaching schedules on a regular basis to ensure we are fit to lead others.  There was lots of great feedback! A few said physical exercise is important.  We talked about that.  Others said prayer.  We talked some more.  These are all great answers!!!  We do need to exercise, pray.  Then these two gems were suggested.

Do you know someone who’s been blessed with a wonderful sense of humor?  It’s always refreshing to be around these kinds of people.  They’re kind of like oil in an engine.  Engines can run awhile without them, but not for long until problems develop.  Remember, ‘All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy!’.  When daily living becomes a daily grind, it’s time to unwind.  That means a diversion of some sort.  What better diversion than laughter?  Seriously, the moment we stop laughing is the moment we start crying.  So take a few minutes to visit the funny guy in the corner cubicle.  Call your crazy, but incredibly funny Uncle.  Go look in the mirror.  But whatever it takes, laugh.  You can even ask yourself ‘What is the funniest way to solve my current dilemma?”.

Proverbs 17:22 says, “A merry heart doeth good like a medicine: but a broken spirit drieth the bones.”  My son went to the Dr.’s office yesterday for Strep.  So, what did the Dr. do?  She prescribed medicine.  He takes two teaspoons in the morning and two at night.  By the time he finishes the prescription he’ll be a new man.  If life has gotten to be really heavy and burdensome, maybe it’s time to talk with a Dr. and find out what you need to do to start laughing again.  If you don’t like Dr.’s, maybe it’s time to come up with a plan of your own.  This is one of my go-to guys.  He is a qualified Christian Counselor and he never fails to deliver solid advice on living that will have you rolling on the floor laughing.  His Kindle book is $8.99, but isn’t that a small investment in a valuable resource? http://amzn.to/1Ph4TkE

Now that you’re realizing the importance of laughter, here’s another resource to help you run to win.

Are you bored?  Not with just a relationship or your job, but with life in general?  Maybe you’re even bored- if you were honest- with your walk with Jesus.  It used to be fun and exciting.  You felt fulfilled.  But now it’s just become routine.  You’re not alone.  It happens to most people at one time or another.  The question is, do you want to stay that way?  Unless you’re willing to make a change, what got you here, won’t get you there.  Someone said, God uses transitions to get us from where we are to where he wants us to be.  That’s true.  But he won’t drag you kicking and screaming.  You have to choose to go, and when you do something amazing begins to unfold.  It’s called an adventure!

Miriam Webster’s dictionary defines an adventure as: an unusual and exciting, typically hazardous, experience or activity.  Now before you decide to do something that could possibly harm yourself or others, you might want to think again.  Remember, God will never ask us to do anything that violates the truths and principles taught in his word.  The kind of adventure we’re talking about incorporates the first resource we talked about: fun!  For instance, you might pursue a new hobby or degree or the age old adventure- rafting.  Take a trip to a place you’ve never been.  Try some new foods.  🙂

While you’re at it, it doesn’t have to be a major adventure.  It might just mean filling a thermos with hot chocolate and taking your kids out into the area surrounding your house.  Take a magnifying glass and look at snowflakes.  Borrow a book from the library, ahead of time, about animal tracks and have them identify a few in the snow.  Talk about the critters who made the tracks.  See if they’re interested in researching some of their favorite animals.  You get the idea.  Visit a local museum….

You can also explore a new route to work.  As a good friend once said, ‘Try a new way and God will show you something new!”.  Along the way, notice not just the houses, but some of the details.  Remember, ‘a picture is worth a thousand words.’  Give yourself some margin and stop and take a picture of something interesting with your phone.

You also can block out some time to just walk out your door and ‘go’ without a plan or destination in mind.  Invite some good friends.  Hop a city bus and see where it takes you.  Try the biggest dump of a restaurant in town.  Dress up like a ‘homeless person’ and watch people’s reactions.

If any of the preceding ideas push you out of your comfort zone, maybe that’s all the more reason to try them.

Feel free to share your thoughts and comments with your friends on Facebook and Twitter.  Now go out and take an adventure and while you’re at it, have fun!