I have been accused of being far too serious in life at times, it started I am sure with work as I would present a business/serious version of myself to my coworkers. I was the boss and in order to get things done in a busy and often hectic kitchen there was no time to be personal, it was always business first. I would often carry this look on my face throughout the course of a shift and not smile for hours on end.
I also didn’t share much of myself with those I worked with, instead presenting a professional version of Ed Dillon and wouldn’t really share any intimate details of my life, or if and when I did it was to a very few and select people. As with a lot of things in my professional life, that would bleed into my personal life and I started to portrait these characteristics at home as well.
I would take everything seriously, I wouldn’t laugh smile or take the enjoyment in all the little things in life that make is so worth living.
I was too busy being serious.
What a sobering thought to have, too busy being serious to actually enjoy life. I guess being a full time father of four children you need to take life seriously in order to get everything done that needs to get done. There is no divide and conquer in my world… laundry that’s me, groceries ditto, clean the house? Ed your up, dinner, baths, budgets, driving kids around, cutting the grass, going to the doctors, the list goes on and on and on…
When I would do things for fun, I would unfortunately adopt this principle and at times make these activities not fun, I was being too serious. Far too serious where it would suck the enjoyment from others, and that was never a good thing.
So last night I spent the night playing pool, and then later my x-wing miniatures games, these are two things where a short while ago I would take things very seriously. If I missed a shot I would get angry and upset, if I was defeated on the field of battle I would slink away with my tail between my legs and let those negative emotions ruin the rest of the evening.
I found that last night I was able to let my inner child shine brightly and had such a fun evening. I enjoyed playing pool as I was making some difficult shots and letting out giant Ric Flair woooooooooooooooo.
When I would miss a shot I started to laugh and give the ball shit, getting close and personal and letting (#7 in particular) that I was coming for you… and oh I certainly did, banging those balls into pockets with such gusto the table shaked a bit. I am only slightly exaggerating but to my point I was having a blast.
With regards to X-Wing, I went a little crazy on boxing day and bought myself a decent fleet but with no one to play with, it isn’t always fun just playing with yourself. I mean you know exactly what your opponents moves are going to be because you are the opponent. Last night Kristi and I sat there for a couple of hours flying our ships around the board and the whole time (while I blowing her off the table 🙂 ) I was making Star Wars sound effects, quoting lines from the movies and being a little kid again. It brought me back to so many great memories of my childhood playing Dungeons and Dragons.
It was just a fantastic night of fun, and a very important lesson for me to learn about not taking things too seriously. Have fun, enjoy the moment, be a kid. Life is far too short not to! Have a great day everyone, I’m off to go for another run!
#SixKidChaos 