Most people need to have fun once in awhile. There are so many things that require us to constantly focus on serious issues that often there is very little time left in our days to relax and enjoy the lighter things in life - things that make us laugh, things that thrill us or things that simply warm our hearts.
Everyone has their day to day activities which prevent them from enjoying every minute of their day. You don't need PhD in human psychology to know that most people wish they were working less. However, work by its very definition means that it isn't the most enjoyable part of the day, yet most people don't actively seek to replenish their inner need for fun. There is a significant part of mental health that is critical to finding activities that rejuvenate the mind.
Watching and observing other activities is a form of relaxation that requires very little energy and which many people enjoy. Sporting events such as hockey, football, baseball; attending a live theatre, ballet, opera or concerts; reading or watching TV is often something that many people gravitate to partly because it transports us out of our own life and into the adventures, challenges or emotions of other individual's lives. For many people this is a form of distraction and escape from the stresses of their lives which appears to be a healthy relief. That said, I think that quite often many individuals also fall in the rut of losing themselves in others lives and would benefit from adding interactive participation into other forms of entertainment that they enjoy. Perhaps it would be more satisfying to stay in the realm of one's own life more often and get up and DO something!
Getting involved in self actualizating activities is easier than most people think. Joining sports teams, going out dancing, playing pool or darts, or learning an instrument are all obvious forms. The big challenge is often to motivate yourself to actually get energy to engage yourself! One really easy activity that you can do, is find a local Karaoke bar and get up and sing! Many people are self conscious of this because they are afraid that they won't be very good. The most important part however, is that people try new and challenging things. The act of karaoke itself is not the challenge, it is building courage to do it!
If your answer to these questions is 'never' or a 'long time', then perhaps it is time to look at the opportunities and options you have - opportunities to breathe a little more deeply and live your life fully rather than simply existing inside of it. Maybe it's time to put on your running shoes and see how fast you can go, play a game of racquetball with a friend, shoot baskets with someone, or try to win a game of pool.
Maybe it's time to learn how to play an instrument that you always were intrigued with. Bang on some drums or strum a guitar. Dance like a fool and not care what it looks like. Sing the most beautiful, sappy song you know or a rank song that you can enjoy emitting the loudest primal scream possible to man.
You don't need to be a good singer to feel the benefits of Karaoke. In fact, some of the best ones are those with the confidence to do songs that suit their singing styles with a tinge of tongue in cheek. Pick the most flamboyant pop song, and do the dance in the music video, or sing it with everything you have. The real benefit is not in being great, it is in getting up in front of a group of strangers and bringing a smile to their faces. Karaoke bars are pretty nonjudgmental and you shouldn't fear being scorned for your attempts. Most of the time joy, laughter and applause ensues!
It is rumoured to have originated in Japan, from the words kara meaning empty, and oke (okesutora) meaning orchestra. Apparently, a performer failed to show at a venue one night where a crowd had gathered for a performance. The owner of the bar was said to have put on a tape of songs and asked whether anyone would get up and perform. The night turned into such a success that the bar began having frequent shows without performers and it soon spread across Japan and later the world.
From its early origins, karaoke has moved into CDs and also computers which incorporate text prompts on a TV screen for those unsure of the words (which applies to almost everyone)! Karaoke developed a cult like following as it became available in many bars, as well as on CD's and karaoke machines as these have became available to the general public in many common stores.
Karaoke has become very popular and for many it appears they become 'addicted' to the stage, the microphone, the applause and for many the simple joy of having the opportunity to sing with instruments behind them and a sound system that accentuates their voice. For many it is their only chance to feel like a star and to enjoy the spotlight. For some it is the opportunity to conquer the fear of the stage and learn to feel comfortable with themselves regardless of any 'mistakes' they make. For others it is their chance to express themselves through music and the songs that move them.
So, although Karaoke is a Japanese word that means 'empty orchestra", it translates into 'fun' for many people all over the world.
Everyone has their day to day activities which prevent them from enjoying every minute of their day. You don't need PhD in human psychology to know that most people wish they were working less. However, work by its very definition means that it isn't the most enjoyable part of the day, yet most people don't actively seek to replenish their inner need for fun. There is a significant part of mental health that is critical to finding activities that rejuvenate the mind.
Watching and observing other activities is a form of relaxation that requires very little energy and which many people enjoy. Sporting events such as hockey, football, baseball; attending a live theatre, ballet, opera or concerts; reading or watching TV is often something that many people gravitate to partly because it transports us out of our own life and into the adventures, challenges or emotions of other individual's lives. For many people this is a form of distraction and escape from the stresses of their lives which appears to be a healthy relief. That said, I think that quite often many individuals also fall in the rut of losing themselves in others lives and would benefit from adding interactive participation into other forms of entertainment that they enjoy. Perhaps it would be more satisfying to stay in the realm of one's own life more often and get up and DO something!
Getting involved in self actualizating activities is easier than most people think. Joining sports teams, going out dancing, playing pool or darts, or learning an instrument are all obvious forms. The big challenge is often to motivate yourself to actually get energy to engage yourself! One really easy activity that you can do, is find a local Karaoke bar and get up and sing! Many people are self conscious of this because they are afraid that they won't be very good. The most important part however, is that people try new and challenging things. The act of karaoke itself is not the challenge, it is building courage to do it!
If your answer to these questions is 'never' or a 'long time', then perhaps it is time to look at the opportunities and options you have - opportunities to breathe a little more deeply and live your life fully rather than simply existing inside of it. Maybe it's time to put on your running shoes and see how fast you can go, play a game of racquetball with a friend, shoot baskets with someone, or try to win a game of pool.
Maybe it's time to learn how to play an instrument that you always were intrigued with. Bang on some drums or strum a guitar. Dance like a fool and not care what it looks like. Sing the most beautiful, sappy song you know or a rank song that you can enjoy emitting the loudest primal scream possible to man.
You don't need to be a good singer to feel the benefits of Karaoke. In fact, some of the best ones are those with the confidence to do songs that suit their singing styles with a tinge of tongue in cheek. Pick the most flamboyant pop song, and do the dance in the music video, or sing it with everything you have. The real benefit is not in being great, it is in getting up in front of a group of strangers and bringing a smile to their faces. Karaoke bars are pretty nonjudgmental and you shouldn't fear being scorned for your attempts. Most of the time joy, laughter and applause ensues!
It is rumoured to have originated in Japan, from the words kara meaning empty, and oke (okesutora) meaning orchestra. Apparently, a performer failed to show at a venue one night where a crowd had gathered for a performance. The owner of the bar was said to have put on a tape of songs and asked whether anyone would get up and perform. The night turned into such a success that the bar began having frequent shows without performers and it soon spread across Japan and later the world.
From its early origins, karaoke has moved into CDs and also computers which incorporate text prompts on a TV screen for those unsure of the words (which applies to almost everyone)! Karaoke developed a cult like following as it became available in many bars, as well as on CD's and karaoke machines as these have became available to the general public in many common stores.
Karaoke has become very popular and for many it appears they become 'addicted' to the stage, the microphone, the applause and for many the simple joy of having the opportunity to sing with instruments behind them and a sound system that accentuates their voice. For many it is their only chance to feel like a star and to enjoy the spotlight. For some it is the opportunity to conquer the fear of the stage and learn to feel comfortable with themselves regardless of any 'mistakes' they make. For others it is their chance to express themselves through music and the songs that move them.
So, although Karaoke is a Japanese word that means 'empty orchestra", it translates into 'fun' for many people all over the world.
About the Author:
Sage VonWaylon actively encourage people to get out and live life to the fullest. For information on Alberta Karaoke take a look at her website.
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