Its Halloween night and my roommates and I are getting ready to go out in our monkey costumes. Just before we’re about to leave it hits me. “Let’s play a game of leapfrog.” Monkeys playing leapfrog, ironic I know. Anyways, I understand this was not the most traditional activity to partake in on a Friday night. To say the least my roommates were very confused. Like most people they associated leapfrog as a silly childhood game. That being said, without much convincing we started to play, and were actually enjoying ourselves. They didn’t fully understand what the point of playing was but that was irrelevant. As I reflect on the moment it made me come to a realization; I have a tendency to get caught up in the emotions of everyday life in a negative manner. Rather than letting life unfold I, like many others I assume, try too hard to make things happen. Because of this we are not able to completely enjoy life and our surroundings. The best kind of created community should not be forced, just based on instincts and fate. A little monkey business never hurt anyone so take a deep breath, relax, and play some leapfrog.

As a child I can remember participating in games on the playground such as leapfrog, yet never realizing the true impact it had on me. Playing with my friends was all that mattered. Sometimes in life it takes a simple game like leapfrog to remind us what’s really important and that happiness through community can be very powerful. As we grow older it is easier to appreciate the “finer things in life.” Sure we have tests to study for, papers to write, work, laundry, etc. But the moments that we share with others while having fun balances everything out.

This Halloween night was special and it was all started by a game of leapfrog. I had a good time with some of my closest friends at Illinois State that we will be able to look back on forever. Sharing a special moment within a community is a very rewarding experience. Whether it’s changing the world, or playing a game of leapfrog always remember to enjoy yourself.