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200 words, Diana Schwenk, Diana's Enormous Book of Quotes, dream, growing up, humour, joie de vivre, laughter, life, living in the moment, passion, plan, playing, Purpose, serious
“We need places to scream and run wild as well as places to be quiet.” ― Marty Rubin
I ONCE DATED A GUY WHO TOLD ME IT WASN’T REALISTIC FOR US to think we could allow ourselves to dream or go on playing forever; eventually we have to become grownups and put that foolishness behind us.
I told him I did not agree.
It’s funny though because I was drawn to his serious and purposeful quietness and he was drawn to my joyful spontaneity.
I learned a lot about backing up my dreams with action from him
and I think he learned how to occasionally let go and have fun from me.
Sure, we have to work
we have to pay bills
we have to be committed and responsible to, and for, our loved ones.
But I do not think we have to give up dreaming and playing!
What do you think?
Check out the fun these grownups created for themselves below
talktodiana 
We have to learn to plant our feet firmly in midair. There has to be a balance between work hard and play hard. If we stop dreaming, we just become a cog in the wheel. But I’m guilty of not following thru on my dreams. It’s something I still have to commit to. Thoughtful comments, Diana.
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Judy I love the ‘plant our feet firmly in midair’ thought! Thank you so much for sharing this perspective. ❤
Diana xo
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Agreed! I’m a professional dreamer married to someone who does not share in that haha. Never let the dreams die Diana! ;).
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A professional dreamer?? Where do I go to get certified? As a dreamer that is… 😀
No fear on letting dreams die Rob, I couldn’t do that, even if I wanted to!
Dream on,
Diana xo
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The holy grail of life, no? A balance of work and play, strife and pleasure. What this translates to in the day to day, I’m honestly not sure right now.
Once again, a thoughtful post–thank you Diana ❤
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I’m not sure how sure I am either mrs. f!
Diana xo
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I think for everything there is a time and season, and that moderation is the important factor! Which means, once again, we agree with one another. ❤
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Did you check out the Ted video left by Alan in the comments? It talks about all areas dipping into each other (another perspective) It has some merit, I think.
Love it when we agree Tracy! ❤
Diana xo
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I’ll do it! Thanks.
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let me know what you think!
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Ah, yes, I do agree opposites attract. I think we subconsciously try to find someone who has traits or talents we wished we had.
Why, then, are we always so busy trying to change that person we’re attracted to? 😉
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Ain’t that the truth Denise! Often, it’s the very thing we are attracted to about someone else that becomes the thing that bugs us the most!
Diana xo
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I totally agree with you …. never ever stop dreaming and playing…. it is part of life. We still know when to be serious. We definitely need both though!
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I absolutely agree Ute – we need both!
Diana xo
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I also agree, we should never stop dreaming and yes opposites attract. My husband and was the more serious one and I was the one always planning and doing. His serious and responsible nature made him a good husband and provider but he also told me it was my smile and positive attitude that drew him to me. Because I am a dreamer and a planner and Tom was the responsible one by saving money and being no nonsense or as he would say “sensible”, we were able to go on our dream vacation, trying new exciting things and go to different places. We were always doing something new – there is an old German saying about working hard and playing harder…that was our balance along with our opposite personalities – we balanced each other.
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You and Tom were sooooo well suited. ❤ Thanks for sharing this wonderful example.
Diana xo
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I should say thank you – after reading your post and commenting on it, I started to dream again. God bless you!
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Oh that just made my day Patty! 😀
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🙂 I am still excited and actually woke up this morning singing “By the Sea” – why I have no idea but it sure as a peppy song…and of coarse Tom loved the ocean so a good sign don’t you think?
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I think it’s a great sign Patty. ❤
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you know what..me too!
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I totally agree with you. Never give up playing and dreaming. I think people who have given up playing …have given up aliveness that comes with playfulness. Life should be fun….as often as possible. 🙂
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Amen to that Kristi! ❤
Diana xo
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It can take a long time for some people to find balance in their lives I am one of the rare people who have pretty much have balance all through her life
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Lucky you Jo-Anne! What do you attribute that to?
Diana xo
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I love this Diana!
And yes, it got me thinking 🙂
Perhaps it isn’t about balance but being whole or aligned.
No scales required or “either/or” thinking.
Embracing all aspects of ourselves.
Aligning our mind body and spirit.
Hugs
Val x
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Sounds way less complicated than trying to measure out exact portions Val! 😀
Diana xo
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I agree! Sometimes it’s difficult to strike a balance, but my life is enriched when I do. 🙂
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I think that’s true of all of us Sheryl – joy goes a long way in making up for the hard things we have to do in life. ❤
Diana xo
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Great post and my view is a little bit of balance. 🙂
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Thanks Elizabeth!
Diana xo
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Why, oh, why, would seriousness about gamily and sustaining a living preclude the pursuit of dreams and fun, Diana? Yin and Yang. Black and White. Happy and Sad. We need balance, my friend, I think. Thank you for this Sunday thinker!
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So true Mark. That’s what is so awesome about your golf dates with your buddies. 😀
Diana xo
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Diana a little from column A and a little from column B. My father was a big KID. He worked hard but played even harder and children sensed his love of the silliness of life and babies and children gravitated towards him. We use to call him a kid magnet. He never lost his inner child. I think life would be dull without goofing off every once and awhile. For me I need to practice being childlike, if I want my passion for writing children’s picture books to ever succeed. Children know how it is ENJOY THE MOMENTS of being in a fantasy world……OFTEN.
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Kath your dad sounds like he was an amazing man. I can feel your love and respect for him in your comment. Seems to me you have inherited some of those same qualities.
Diana xo
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Diana his passion for life, love and family was infectious I must say.
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My youngest always reminds me to look at life through the eyes of a child, with no judgement or malice but with adventure and fun living in the present. I guess it’s the ability to let go, and that is a gift!!
Karen
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It is a gift Karen. I remember seeing the world through my daughter’s eyes when she was little. She reminded me of the beauty in the simple things in life.
Diana xo
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A self-ascribed blend of dreamer/playful and serious/pragmatic, I clearly hear and appreciate this perspective Diana. It’s a good conversation prompt!
I while back I posted about a TED Talks speaker who makes a very interesting case for why we don’t always need “balance” in our lives. In fact, he advocates for living our lives “off balance.” We often strive (sometimes struggle) with the notion that much in our lives needs to be balanced (think: work/life). He essentially pulls the rug out from under that premise. 🙂
Happy to share the post link if you’re interested in reading another perspective.
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Please do share the link here Eric!
Diana xo
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Thanks for the invitation to share the link, Diana. Would enjoy your thoughts post-viewing.
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I will check it out tonight!
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Totally agree. For some reason, some people do view others who bicycle, as cycling on “toys”, cycling as “play” or “recreation” and they’re not real transportation system users.
If they could experience regularily what it means to “let go”, de-stress and sharpen their wonder and awareness of Nature.
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Jean you are blessed to have a mode of transportation that also provides exercise, access to nature and joy! ❤
Diana xo
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I found the trick is to hold on to ones child-like sense of wonder without slipping into childishness. It’s taken me almost 60 years, but I’ve almost got it down…
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You need to share the secret Smitty!
Diana xo
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😀 Well, as I said, I don’t quite have it down completely (despite decades of trying), but it involves playing with puppies and laughing at life and climbing trees and watching clouds and learning new things (all the time) and reading lots of books about all sorts of things… I dunno, exploring life, challenging yourself, appreciating what’s good and regretting what’s bad and knowing the difference. Like the famous drama masks, life is comic and tragic and all points betwixt and you just have to embrace it all….
Or something like that. I suspect everyone’s mileage is a bit different.
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Sounds like you approach it with openness and awe Smitty!
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That’s a pretty good way to sum it up, Lady Di! I can only add, “and a sense of wonder.” (Or is that the same as “awe”?)
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I think it’s better than awe!
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Awwww,,,,, XD
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You’re punny!!! 😀
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Guilty! Never met a pun I couldn’t love.
I don’t know why, but you’ve reminded me of the joke about the cannibals who capture a circus (and then do what cannibals do with outsiders). During their feast, one cannibal turns to his friend and asks, “Does this clown taste funny to you?”
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LOL! And who hasn’t made that connection?
DIANA ——————–> CANNIBAL
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Oh, so people think you’re a real “man eater” do they? 🐱
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haha something like that.
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Well, *I* think you’re a sweetheart. And an angel!
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Aww shucks, thanks! 🙂
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Something dies inside when you stop dreaming and playing, Diana. With you on that. 🙂
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Thanks Don, reminds me of another quote I like: We don’t stop playing because we grow old. We grow old because we stop playing. 🙂
Diana xo
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As someone in the process of really growing up—I totally agree with you! 🙂
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That’s awesome RJ – enjoy the ride!
Diana xo
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We begin as chidren-carefree and living for fun with or without others. As St. Paul says: “As a child, I acted, and thought as a child-when an adult I put childish ways aside.” Yet Jesus, says:”Come to me with the innocense of Children.” Both, are true.
And as we become elderly we do become childlike again. Since I was born into this world, a child and will be born onto the next, a child-you’re right Diana; keep “playing” as a part of one’s life. It will be easier to remember how to, when it becomes most important.
-Alan
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Thanks for your thoughts and perspective this morning Alan!
Diana xo
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Totally agree! We need that release of play and creativity! Perhaps I was playing too late last night, based on this morning’s slow start! To add to it though I believe there are times in our life when we are more attracted to achievement than play/creativity and vice versa. That doesn’t mean it has to be all one at the expense of the other though.
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I agree Ian! And who cares about a late start on a Sunday?
Diana xo
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I HEARTily agree with you! ♥
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You rock!
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haha your comment rocks and you rock as well Louise! ❤
Diana xo
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I may not act like it all the time, but I agree, we should never stop dreaming and playing, Diana. That human foosball showed up on my facebook feed too, and Paul and I would love to have a game. It looks like a lot of fun.
Jennifer xo
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Wouldn’t it be fun Jennifer? Did you see how even the rods move back and forth? My first thought was, “I want one!” 😀
Diana xo
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I can see the merit in owning this product. 😉
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I agree with you, Diana, of course!
xxoo Ann
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Thanks Ann!
Hey, on another note: I have been unable to leave comments on your blog – they just don’t take! Not sure what is going on, but didn’t want you to think I’ve deserted you! I will keep trying. ❤
Diana xo
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Oh, no! Thanks for letting me know, Diana.
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Grrr I just tried again on today’s post! I don’t understand it. 😦
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I don’t either. Maybe I’ll send a note to WordPress Helpers
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Just sent an SOS (Save Our Schwenk) to WordPress Help. I will let you know when I hear back.
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LOL! Oh my word – thank you!
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Diana, the WordPress Help people want to hear from you. I guess they have questions about your problem leaving comments for me that I can’t answer. Please contact them. I MISS YOU!
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Ok Ann, How do I do that? The only thing I found under help led me to asking other bloggers what the issue is.
Is there a chance you blocked me or unapproved my comments unintentionally? (is that even possible?)
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another thought? Are my comments going to your spam folder?
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Diana! You are a genius! Your comments WERE going to my spam folder. I just unspammed them all. I hope that does it for the future, too!
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Yay! It’s happened to me too. I check my spam folder regularly because of it. 😀
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