I was driving to work in the wee hours of the morning yesterday, bleary eyed, and frankly, bleary eared. National Public Radio was playing on the radio, and as usual the subject was the financial woes of Greece. Specifically, how Greek nationals are huge supporters of the Eurovision song contest.
Yeah, yeah, yeah . . . whatever.
But then I heard this quote:
“Austerity is not an excuse to stop the fun.”
Which I do believe is the best quote in the history of mankind. No, wait, it’s the best quote since dinosaurs roamed the earth. No, wait, it’s the best quote since aliens seeded the earth with DNA spores as part of an intergalactic game of Hungry Hungry Hippos.
“Austerity is not an excuse to stop the fun.”
You may be in dire financial straights, but that’s no reason to stop having fun. Find free entertainment, host a potluck, go for a walk in your neighborhood instead of on a treadmill and never let financial limitations be an excuse for stopping the fun.
I think I might be Greek.
Katy Wolk-Stanley
“Use it up, wear it out, make it do or do without”
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{ 19 comments… read them below or add one }
Well said, Katy! Thanks for the reminder.
🙂
Katy
Too true, and how often we forget this in the midst of our complicated lives. Think back to your favorite memories. For me, at any rate, they center on who was there. My grandmother showing me how to sew in a hem than wouldn’t come apart. My three-year-old blond daughter, wearing a long dress I’d sewn for her, looking herself in the mirror and exclaiming, “I’m BEAUTIFUL!” My six-year-old redhaired daughter, when we were living in London, calming down after some long-forgotten distress, hugging me and saying (in her newly-acquired English accent), “Oh, Mummy, thank you for being so SENSIBLE!” Holding baby grandchildren for the first time, taking in that new-baby smell. Being with the blonde now and discovering something wonderfully re-sellable at Goodwill. Being with the redhead and watching what a wonderfully devoted mother she is. None of this had anything to do with the available money.
Aww . . .
Katy
So, so sweet. Some of my best memories actually involve selling things and Dumpster-diving with my mom and siblings. Strange, I know….
Okay, you’ve inspired me. I’m going to strap on my ancient backpack and walk to the library to do my volunteer thing this afternoon. Won’t cost a thing, and I’m sure it’ll be a mood lifter, provided I remember to take an antihistamine before I hit the trail!
Thats great. Have fun!
Katy
I write this after spending 20 minutes making granola at home. First try ever, turned out pretty good. Glad I made a small batch, though, because the (baked) dried fruit burned. When I make it again I will add the fruit after the other ingredients have baked and cooled. Live and learn, I guess!
Yes, I find adding the fruit after baking works much better.
Just before I read this post I’d talked to my 20-something son on the phone. He and a friend were on their way to their Saturday AA meeting. They came upon a neighborhood block party where people were painting the street. There were costumes and kids and cupcakes and animals. My son and his friend were given brushes and invited to participate. They had a blast. A similar phrase went through my mind; sobriety is not an excuse to stop the fun!
Exactly…tonight Austin Bike Zoo performs Midsummer’s Night Dream…free and fun!
How true! Great post!
I am volunteering with my daughter at a local church fair this afternoon. We will be packing a lunch and drinks. It won’t cost us a thing and we are going to have fun together.
I think it’s fun to learn or spend time on a new skill. Something I did when I was younger. I tend to park myself in front of the tv these days. Thanks for the encouragement to haul out the crochet hooks, knitting needles, and to sit at the piano a little more often.
I just thought about a friend who at age 70 decided to learn a new craft each year. She learned to make beautiful lamp shades and won prizes for them. Also did leather craft, watercolor, dance.
This is so very true. I remember when my sister and her family were on public aid. I was young and naive. I asked her why, since she was on PA, did she have some cupcakes that she purchased from the store when she should have better, real food instead. She said they needed to have treats once in a while too. I never forgot that.
I like your fresh takeaway from, yes, one of NPR’s overworked topics (and my commute to Salem is a little longer than yours :). People can and do create their own fun in pretty much any environment or set of circumstances. We should always keep that power, and not give it away on account of times getting tough.
Well said, Allison.
Katy
i’ve recently become a parent to a toddler and she teaches me this lesson every single day by playing with the recycling instead of toys, being more excited by a visit to the library or park than an expensive kid class and happy in the arms of mama and papa rather than in an expensive stroller.
trite, but true.