I want to begin by saying that I am today very far from the immature 18-year old who pulled the First Kiss Trick (see the previous weekletter). I have evolved to much higher planes. I have changed a lot during the 10 years that have passed since this incident. I wrote about it because I thought it would make people laugh with me in remembering this - in my opinion - amusing episode of my life.

 These lines from a song by Depeche Mode captures the essence of this weekletter.

Fun. Think about it. What does it mean to have fun? What do you do to have fun? Do you have fun every day? Or, are you presently focusing on having fun somewhere in the distant future? When this phase of life is successfully completed. When you're through with the grindstone. When you've climbed to the top of the ladder of success. When you've reached the end of the rainbow and finally have enough money to pursue your dreams and lead the life you've always wanted. THEN... Yes, what then? Couldn't you do something of that NOW, in the present?

It is perhaps easier to define the opposite - not having fun. We are all better - I think - at knowing what is boring, depressing, sad - what is not fun. Just flip on the evening news and notice all the horror, step outside in the bonechillingly cold darkness. Many people go to a job every day that they hate. Do things that they hate when they come home. Day in, day out, year after year? WHY? TO WHOSE BENEFIT?

One diligent student often said "Who said life is supposed to be fun?" Do we need fun in our lives? If so, why? This depends upon how we define fun. One way of defining it is to "enjoy life". Or is there a difference between enjoying life and having fun?

I think most people at the end of their lives wish they had enjoyed life more. Do you try to create some enjoyment in every day of your life?

Can fun - or at least joy - be found in perfection? In a relationship? Maybe in a perfect relationship? "There is no perfect woman and you are not perfect, the question is : are you perfect for each other?"

Personally, my relationship with perfection is not the best. On the one hand, I have a longing for the perfect perfection in my apartment that can be seen in the movie "9 1/2 weeks". My spirit is pleased and my soul soothed by clean, uncluttered, simplistic, "zen-buddhistic" rooms. On the other hand, I have too many things I want to do that it would cost me way too many sacrifices to find the time to have this perfect perfection in my home.

Is it to have things, to "succeed in your career", to become disgustingly rich?

Is it to follow your heart's desire and pursue your dreams?

Some argue that - since we can not take anything with us - the purpose of living is giving.

Others strive for success with self: "Real success is success with self. It's not in having things but in having mastery, having victory over self."

Is the meaning of life to have a harmonious balance between all the above?

"Ultimately, man should not ask what the meaning of his life is, but rather must recognize that it is he who is asked. In a word, each man is questioned by life; and he can only answer to life by answering for his own life; to life he can only respond by being responsible" Victor Frankl

I welcome receiving your ideas about Fun and the Meaning of Life!

ALL WRITINGS (C) PETER CEDERHOLM they may not be distributed in any way - except sending the link to this webpage - without my written approval.