Have Fun! What does that mean to most people? Does fun relate to Truth and Wisdom? And if so, how? Is 'fun' a synonym for 'Enjoyment as defined in the context of the Periodic Happiness Table of Elements on this site? And if not, how do they differ?
To refresh memories (including mine) Enjoyment is the realization of the joy of challenge. I believe there are many people who would not immediately equate fun with challenge. Yet I also believe that many of them, after some consideration, would agree that there is a connection.
Think about how fun is perceived. It could be a night on the town, a meal out, shopping, a movie, a play, music, dancing, having friends in, or other forms of straightforward human interaction. For some it involves participation in games, competitions, or sports. Even spectator sports offer the challenge of following, anticipating, and second-guessing strategies. For others fun could be solitary activities such as a night in with a good book or a movie or the latest technology-based challenge of personal interest.
Some of these examples may appear to put more emphasis on relaxation, than others. I would argue though that relaxation (in varying degrees and applicabilities) is a common element of fun and enjoyment across the board. Intense physical exertion often leads to a 'zone' that focuses and relaxes the mind. Intense mental exercise can do exactly the same thing. And there are many examples of physical relaxation that also meet one's personal requirements for fun.
Requiring the common elements then of challenge and relaxation, there are innumerable examples of fun and enjoyment. I believe most of these examples (given and not given) can, with some effort, avoid an unthinking, zombie-like state of mind. If we are not stretching ourselves in some way, it is simply not as much fun; perhaps no fun at all. But there are some who would disagree and maintain that being out-of-control, with no rules or parameters, can be loads of fun; and is an extreme type of challenge. They might say that in the midst of savagery, debauchery, or (the tamer sounding) wild times, one experiences the kind of uninhibited freedom and fun that is not possible within parameters; but upon participating in this kind of 'fun' ... in hindsight ... (speaking from some experience) ... I often feel (at the least) foolish, embarrassed, or undignified, and (at the worst) remorseful and ashamed. Especially if I have crossed the tenet / belief to Do No Harm. By definition, excess is excessive. Letting oneself go is not the same as stretching oneself.
Based on these interpretations, I believe the connotation of enjoyment is more refined than that of fun, and the connotation of fun is more spontaneous than that of enjoyment; yet it still shows considerable synonymity in the middle ground. However if the fun becomes harmful or too spontaneous it may not be enjoyable, and if the enjoyment becomes too refined or constrictive it may not be much fun. Personal taste may dictate spontaneity, limitations, and refinement, but 'Do No Harm' should be a Universal. How often after someone's feelings are hurt do we hear from someone else (or think to ourselves) "I was only having fun." Of course I remember this more from childhood, but perhaps we are just more careful as adults. I still observe and (yes, even occasionally) participate in cautious denigration of the us-them variety, that is not meant to harm a specific individual, but ...
Wow! I just reread up to this point, and it seems I've taken a lot of the fun out of fun. It also seems that for my purposes (and according to my personal taste) enjoyment is fun, but fun is not always enjoyable. Some would turn that last statement around. But then, I am old and stodgy; not to mention mean and surly.
So where does this leave us? Perhaps one could say that a combination of personal taste, challenge, and relaxation determines fun. And if fun 'Does No Harm' then it contributes to one's periodic need to recharge. And the resulting energy boost from recharging can lead to further Learning and Growth, which in turn assists in closing the gap on Truth, Wisdom, and Happiness. This is a common theme I have previously visited, but being the stodgy, gruff, serious, surly old man that I am, I should revisit the concept more frequently. It is an aspect of Happiness I don't take seriously enough, often enough.
As I write this last line, I am preparing to go to a Halloween party ... With ('them') In-Laws ... I will make a serious, concerted effort to Have Fun!