Free time!
We all know what these words mean: the opportunity to do what we want, unencumbered by work, school, home or other responsibilities. It’s important to take time off, but can leisure be more than just an escape from our normal obligations? Can it be both restful and life-changing?
The “Healthy Living” section at AOL’s internet newspaper (The Huffington Post) carries a timely article on the subject titled, “Better Leisure Time, Better Health.” Authored by writer Russ Gerber, the article notes:
“Authentic leisure is good for us. It’s revitalizing and healthy. But to make the most of leisure it helps to widen rather than narrow our concept of the term, which means not only to be free from the demands of work (even for just a weekend), but also to be still and reflect.”
Gerber goes on to say how genuine leisure can be a priceless time to contemplate the nature and harmony of all things of the spirit. He quotes from a definition of leisure by German philosopher, Joseph Piper:
“Leisure is the disposition of receptive understanding, of contemplative beholding, and immersion — in the real.”
Click here to read the entire AOL article.
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