The other day, my five year-old daughter Bridgette was hard at work in the dining room. She was sitting on the floor drawing and coloring. When she is into a project, I know to leave her alone. After some time, she stood up, marched through the kitchen without a word, returned to the dining room with a tape dispenser and got back to work. She finished her latest project while I was upstairs in my office working. I didn’t go into the dining room until hours later, after Bridgette was asleep. I discovered this picture, taped to the wall. “Love Is Fun.”
I will never know what motivated Bridgette to create this picture and write those words. The simple phrase did get me thinking. I’m certain most of us have heard the statement that we take things out on those we love. Frustrations mount over the course of a day, a week, a month until they build up and come pouring out when we’ve reached our tipping point. All too often, the negativity, anger, and feelings of hurt are dumped onto the people we cherish most. As a result, intimate moments or large gatherings with those we love are marred by our need to unload pent-up emotions. Events that should be joyous can quickly turn into stressful, awkward, and even unhappy occasions when we direct our frustrations at the ones we hold most dear.
As usual, I speak from experience. When disappointment strikes in my life, I have the power to bring down everyone with me. Too frequently, I do just that to my family. My attitude and how I choose to deal with life’s challenges will dictate my happiness and impact the emotions of those around me. I view Bridgette’s simple phrase as a message. It’s a call to give those we love the best we have to offer every day. To love and be loved are the two greatest gifts I’ve received in this life. So, go find that someone or those someones you love. Give them a big hug, wrap them up, and hold on tight. Give them a big, wide, goofy smile. Do it because they are a gift, and it will make you both happy. “Love Is Fun,” and those are words to live by.
As usual, I speak from experience. When disappointment strikes in my life, I have the power to bring down everyone with me. Too frequently, I do just that to my family. My attitude and how I choose to deal with life’s challenges will dictate my happiness and impact the emotions of those around me. I view Bridgette’s simple phrase as a message. It’s a call to give those we love the best we have to offer every day. To love and be loved are the two greatest gifts I’ve received in this life. So, go find that someone or those someones you love. Give them a big hug, wrap them up, and hold on tight. Give them a big, wide, goofy smile. Do it because they are a gift, and it will make you both happy. “Love Is Fun,” and those are words to live by.
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