This year has been oddly Dickensian for me.

It’s been the best of times — and the worst of times.

I feel like my life this year has been the epitome of these famous lines.

And I know I’m not alone.

We’re seeing many historic changes that are interesting to experience, though they also can be overwhelming.

We’re facing a change in the presidency, a changing global role and a recession that doesn’t seem to be going anywhere soon.

And we’re facing finals on top of everything else.

In the midst of the turmoil of life and the ever-increasing reality of adulthood, I think everyone should pause to think about what’s most important in life: having fun.

And I don’t mean having fun in a hedonistic, irresponsible

way.

I mean that, after or while people are being responsible and seeing to their duties, they should take time out to enjoy the life they’re living.

One of the best pieces of advice I received this year was from a friend who told me, “If you’re not having a good time, you’re wasting your time.”

If you’re stressed out and freaking out, you’re doing a disservice to yourself and others.

You’re also wasting valuable time and energy that you could be spending doing something else.

There’s nothing worse than when you’re calm and someone starts freaking out about how stressful finals are, as if he or she is the only one who has ever taken finals.

That negativity is not good. There’s way too much of it in the world already. Just pick up a newspaper or book, and there it is.

It’s important to understand the severity of the situations we will be forced to face in the months and possibly years to come, but it’s also important to remember to chill out and spread a little happiness.

A key to surviving the crazy times we’re probably bound for is resilience.

One definition of resilience is the ability to adjust easily to misfortune or change — and the times indeed are changing.

It’s important to find balance in the crazy times in which we live.

Reading the news each morning can be a downer, but it’s necessary. Going to class, preparing for and taking finals can be stressful, but doing so is necessary.

However, it is also necessary to enjoy the simple and not so simple joys that life can bring, even in the midst of high stress.

The average American woman will only live about 78 years. If you’re a man, you have closer to 75. Those years of your life will go by much quicker than you think.

Do you want to remember how stressed you were during those decades of your life, or do you want to remember how you lived a happy life even in the midst of the craziest times?

You have even more of a responsibility to have fun because of recent British studies that have shown that happiness can be contagious within three degrees of separation.

Weigh that figure in your head with the fact that the adult suicide rate is up and morale is down, and you’ll know what you need to do: Go have fun.

It will help you, and it will probably help others because you will be happy.

When possible, say yes when your friends ask you to go out.

Say yes to the countless holiday parties that will probably fill your next week and a

half.

They may keep you busy, but they’ll definitely cheer you up in the midst of studying for those pesky finals.

Say yes to the new friend who insists on toasting to having fun.

It’s important to take life seriously, but don’t take it so seriously that it prevents you from living well.

Think about this advice from author Victor’s Hugo: “Have courage for the great sorrows in life and patience for the small ones; and when you have laboriously accomplished your daily tasks, go to sleep in peace.”

Kayle Barnes is a professional writing senior. Her column usually appeared every other Tuesday.