Leisure means “free time, time at one’s disposal”. The progress of materialistic civilization has made life on earth almost a continuous struggle. So we are being taught that for success in this struggle, we must be always up and doing. This seems to suggest that there is no room for real leisure in the present world for anybody with ambition in life. But that is the wrong idea altogether. However heavy the duties, a man must make provision for some time every day during which he may forget all about his duties and relax as he pleases.
A machine that worked without rest gets out of order very soon. The human-machine is no exception to this law of nature. According to the Bible, even God rested a day after having created the universe. The Hindu Sastras also impose leisure compulsory by enjoying cessation of work on different occasions. Indeed, leisure is in the very scheme of nature. The physical and mental system gets tired and exhausted unless it has occasional rest after every few hours. Sleep is a compulsory leisure enforced by Mother Nature. The rapid increase in cases of nervous break-down and thrombosis and cancer is considered by many eminent physicians to be due to the constant worries of modern life.
Indeed, leisure is almost as necessary for life as food and exercise. But the human mind cannot remain together vacant. So even while enjoying leisure, it has to be filled with something pleasing and entertaining. There can be no hard and fast rule about what this ‘something’ should be. It must vary according to the nature of a man’s normal duties and his natural inclinations. It is the freedom of discretion that is the essence of leisure. Reading light books, enjoying games and shows, sight-seeing, visiting friends at pleasure, even merely sitting in open, gazing at natural beauties or children at play – all these are good ways of spending one’s leisure.
The simple but beautiful lines on ‘Leisure’ from the poem of William Davies are worth quoting in this connection:
“What is this life, if full of care,
We have no time to stand and stare?
No time to stand beneath the boughs,
And stare as long as sheep and cows;
No time to see, when wood we pass,
Where squirrels hide their nuts in grass.”
We are living in modern times, facing the problems of modernity at every moment. Our life has become so busy, so fast that we always remain in a hurry and pressure of work. In this fast life, leisure plays a significant role because it relaxes us and brings immense joy.
Life is not worth living without leisure. We must have some time for our hobbies, which may be singing, dancing, gardening, painting, and something like that. It rejuvenates us and sets a tone for the work ahead of us.
Now the question arises on how we should utilize our leisure time. Although it is at our disposal and we are free to pass it in our own way, we should always use it constructively and joyously. Some people do not know how to put their free time to the right use and consequently, they often complain that they feel tired during holidays and vacations.
These people misuse their leisure in sleeping, playing cards, listening to the radio, watching T.V., or at most gossiping. Misuse of leisure brings to our destruction. Hence, we should learn to use it wisely and meaningfully.
Utilizing leisure in the right way is an art. It allows us to acquire culture, to make and contemplate beautiful things. It offers an opportunity for aesthetic human relationships, for happiness and contentment, for sharing of the healthful and psychological values of friendship. In our leisure time, we can think about various creative works.
We may take to some hobbies which would entertain us as well as make us more cultured. During holidays, we may go out on picnics, as is done.in the West, and thus get an opportunity of enjoying the beauty and freshness of nature. Picnics are always rejoicing and bring change in our routined work. They are also health-giving. They allow us to come in contact with different people.
Thus, we must creatively pass our leisure time. It is the only way to get pleasure in true sense.
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