Teen 2 Teen

Three Steps to Summertime Fun!

by Wendy Richards

"Sleeping in," was the response he gave. The question, of course, was what fun thing he planned on doing this summer. Everyone at youth group laughed, as expected, but I was bothered by his answer for some reason. Is that really the way to have a fun-filled summer?

by Wendy Richards

"Sleeping in," was the response he gave. The question, of course, was what fun thing he planned on doing this summer. Everyone at youth group laughed, as expected, but I was bothered by his answer for some reason. Is that really the way to have a fun-filled summer?

Step 1: Stretch Your Imagination

If you really want to have fun this summer, you need to start with some big ideas! So spend some time jotting down answers to this question:

If you could do anything you wanted, what would you do?

My list started like this:

• meet Orlando Bloom
• date Orlando Bloom
• marry Orlando Bloom
• travel around Europe
• do mission work in Calcutta
• learn to sail

Okay. Not the most realistic of lists, but the point is to start by dreaming. If you could do anything -- anything at all -- what would you do? Create your list as if there were no obstacles (time, space, money). The object is to get a list of things you really, really would love to do!

Step 2: Ask Yourself "Why?"

Now take your list and think about each item on it. Try to figure out why you want to do each one. What is it that makes you want to do those things? What is it that you find appealing about each one?

Using my list again, here's what I came up with:

• meet/date/marry Orlando Bloom -- He's just gorgeous, and he seems so genuine, and charming, and likable, and... finding the perfect guy is a definite bonus.
• travel around Europe -- I've heard so much about the history and culture of Europe, I'd love to experience it for myself!
• do mission work in Calcutta -- To do God's work in the same place where Mother Theresa touched countless lives would be a completely overwhelming experience.
• learn to sail -- I love the wind and the water and how relaxed they make me.

Step 3: Use Your Answers As Your New List

Whenever we want to do something, there is almost always a more general reason that motivates us. By starting with my dream list and generalizing from there, I came up with the following list of things to do this summer:

Spend time deciding what I need from a relationship. Go out and meet people, keeping in mind what need.
Read some travel guides about Europe and map out my trip. Lookup the history of the areas I will visit. Open a second savings account and put a little money in it each week.
Read Mother Theresa: In My Own Words by Mother Theresa. Volunteer at the downtown soup kitchen and other ministries that work with the poor.
Do as much of my reading and planning as possible at the lake, where I can enjoy the wind and water and maybe just relax a bit.

And there you have it: Three Steps to Summertime Fun!

1. Stretch your imagination
2. Ask yourself "why?"
3. Use your answers as your new list

Oh, and make sure you spend time in prayer while you're going through this process. You might be amazed at what the Spirit will show you!