My walk along the beach today left me overJOYed.  I watched the water in the Pacific as it swelled and formed full-on waves that dissipated at my feet. The coolness of the splash caused an involuntary shudder, but I continued my stroll along the shore.

I glanced beyond the crashing surf and noticed movement. Dolphins swam just outside the swells. They frolicked through the aqua marine water and disappeared as fast as they materialized. A wave began to form, and I watched in awe as the swell grew in size. I laughed out loud when the sleek mammals caught the swollen wave as if they were body surfers. But as soon as the crest of the swell began to disperse, the dolphins vanished.

My body turned to face the sea and I continued to stand in the shore’s foam. The brightness of the sun caused my eyes to squint as I scanned the busy water for action. My new friends did not disappoint me. I watched the five of them continue to ride the rushing wave like the young body surfers I had passed on the beach. They moved along the swell with their mouths open in mischievous grins. Needless to say, the five dolphins made quite a sight.

A number of beach combers meandered along the shore, oblivious of the activity in the ocean. I pointed to the dolphins and before long, six of us stood in the wet sand watching the mammals’ performance. We shared the incredible view and bonded in conversation and laughter. We observed our dolphins and marveled with enJOYment. Once they swam away, I continued my walk along the shore.

As I strolled along the ocean’s edge, it struck me—the dolphins do not just swim and surf in the sea. They play together in their water wonderland. Never alone, the mammals amused and entertained one another in groups of three to five. They seemed to enJOY each other while they frolicked in their playground.

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I contemplate my life. How often do I play? I’m quite a serious person, and most of the time I go through the motions of my day without a thought about enJOYment. I do the things that need to be accomplished, and at the end of the day, I wish I’d done something fun. Much of what I do in a twenty-four hour period seems important. But, the dolphins got my attention, and I need to look at playtime a little more seriously.

Play and relationships are vital to my health and well-being. I was created for many things–employee, maid, shopper, chef, babysitter, errand runner, family member, and friend. Do I enJOY my world as I perform the tasks expected of me? Is there a spark of fun deep within; a spark that wants to laugh, and play? Will my family and friends enJOY the playful side of me? Am I passionate enough, like the dolphins, to grasp the JOY around me?

Yes, I long for fun and JOY in my life. I intend to discover the playful side of me and take my family and friends along for the ride.

Will you accept my challenge and set aside a few hours of fun each week in the New Year? Even if it’s only thirty minutes a day, you will find the JOY in play. Accept the challenge and enJOY life along the way. Reconnect with friends and loved ones – even those who live within your home. Like the dolphins, we can play together, enJOY our surroundings, and surf and frolic through the waves of life.

Be JOYfully blessed, my friend, as you play like the dolphins and enJOY your world.