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Fun Masters
By Priscilla Grant
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The members of the more-fun group agree that enjoyment of life doesn't have to decline with age: Starting in
their 40s and 50s, they developed or deepened interests that keep them productive and happy. Here's what makes them different:
They Make Fun a Priority
Finding enjoyment in life takes time, and those most successful at it dedicate an average of 24 hours per week to "just having fun." Our survey shows they are also more likely than their wet-blanket counterparts to claim they "live for having fun."
They Think of Themselves as Fun People
Fun lovers are more likely to describe themselves as "a fun person to be around." In fact, 22 percent say they're disappointed if they don't have some fun every day.
 The Doctor Is Not In
Dr. Cathy Carron, NY
Age 51
Physician, American Stock Exchange
Weekends she's sailing in Florida.
They Love to Learn
Two-thirds of the fun-loving group say they're "always trying to learn new things." Plus, taking
classes or joining learning groups helps prevent personal isolation, which is "a dream killer," according to Barbara Sher, author of It's Only Too Late if You Don't Start Now (Delacorte Press, 1998).
Best of all, it's possible to join the ranks of those who get the most fun out of life. All you need to do is give yourself a little kick-start, says Gail Cassidy, author of Discover Your Passion (Tomlyn Publications, 2000).
"Notice, for instance, what part of the newspaper you read first. Then make a list of your skills, work experiences, knowledge areas, and talents. Finally, use that information to draw a road map of your interests. I used to be a teacher, and I thought I was done with education. But I still found myself reading the education section of the newspaper, so now I'm offering a course on self-confidence for battered women."
You can combine skills and interests in different ways. Cassidy had a client who, after visiting Appalachia, developed a new type of quilting. She also loved genealogy. So she started to help people design quilts based on their family trees.
 Brush With Life
Denis Clifford, Albany, CA
Age 62, Attorney
"I think that laughing and having a good time is only one kind of fun. The other kind is a process, like painting, that resonates with my soul."
Ironically, other people can be the best route to self-discovery. "Your friends know you and may have some good advice," adds Geoffrey C. Godbey, professor of leisure studies at Pennsylvania State University.
And while you're trying new things, Godbey adds, give yourself permission to fail or be embarrassed in your pursuit. Convince yourself that not trying is the greater failure, and take the leap.
Having fun can clearly be a lot of work. But the payoff can be substantial. Studies show that people who take time to play are healthier physically and emotionally. In fact, the AARP MODERN MATURITY survey found that members of the more-fun group are far more likely than their less-fun counterparts to rate their physical health as "excellent." As they get older, they also feel more balanced emotionally.
Play has also been shown to increase creativity, one of the hallmarks of successful living. "It's well-known that many Nobel Prizes have been won by people who were just playing in their minds and having fun," says Lenore Terr, professor of psychiatry and the author of Beyond Love and Work: Why Adults Need to Play (Touchstone Books, 1999). "We used to think that if we could just work hard and be good people, then that would be enough. But if we play throughout our lives, it's a better way to live. Playing gets your mind working. It gives you a reason to get up in the morning."
Priscilla Grant last wrote for AARP MODERN MATURITY about cosmetic surgery (March-April 2001).
Now, check out our list of 50 things to be
passionate about (with the one website that'll get you hooked on each).
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