Catching Whimsy: Uncovering the Possibilities of Every Day

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Brookdale Senior Living offers multiple care levels for seniors in more than 600 communities nationwide. Brookdale helps you find the right care plan for yourself or your loved one. With amenities such as transportation services, salons and private dining rooms and activities such as gardening, fitness classes and trivia nights Brookdale caters to a wide range of interests and needs.

On our most recent episode of Great Full Life, we had the honor of sitting down with lawyer turned New York Times bestselling author, Bob Goff, for a delightful conversation on a topic he knows well: whimsy. As the author of Catching Whimsy: 365 Days of Possibility, Bob is not only an expert on the subject but also actively embodies joy, wonder and curiosity in his everyday life.

From receiving six giraffes from the president of Uganda to writing to the Pope every year for 21 years, Bob’s unique experiences, poignant storytelling and heartfelt wisdom remind us that whimsy and joy are meant for everyone, every day.

If you haven’t had a chance to watch the webcast, here are a few key takeaways as you explore what it means to live a life full of whimsy:

1. Whimsy isn’t just confetti and unicorns.

Playful. Imaginative. Fantastical. Childish. These are just a few ways we tend to perceive whimsy—most commonly, as something reserved solely for children. While those are all important parts of whimsy, Bob defines it a bit differently, instead focusing on what he calls “strategic whimsy.” He says, “[Whimsy] can involve a lot of joy, but underneath all that is a mile of strategy. Strategic whimsy looks like a bunch of unbridled joy, complete engagement, taking a genuine interest and actually being curious about the people around you and knowing why you’re doing what you’re doing.”

2. Invite more joy into your life.

Some days, joy can feel a bit out of reach. Other days, it is flowing in abundance. The beauty of joy is that it can be cultivated into a habit through intentional practices and meaningful mindset shifts. Here are some ways you can fill your life with more joy:

Practice gratitude even when life is stressful
Connect and share an experience with someone new
Delight in the hobbies you love
Remain present and grounded in your daily life
Learn something new and stay curious
Spend time with family and friends
Engage in small acts of kindness

When joy is an intentional practice, ordinary days can become extraordinary, making life feel new and exciting.

3. Realize that whimsy is for everybody.

Close your eyes and imagine your dream life. What does it look like? And what is keeping you from going out and living it? Sure, money, time and aptitude all play a role, but sometimes what really holds us back is the limiting belief that the life we want isn’t meant for us. As Bob reminds, the beauty of whimsy is that it always finds a way. Through whimsy and joy, the life you want becomes possible. And when you recognize that whimsy is meant for you, you’ll find that the life you dream of is within reach.

If you’re ready to welcome more joy and whimsy into your everyday life, watch the full webcast now.

_{The opinions expressed in this presentation are solely those of the presenter and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of Brookdale Senior Living. Brookdale Senior Living assumes no responsibility for the content, accuracy or completeness of the information presented.}