Feb 6, 2018
By Shannon Wall, Instructor
In my online Recreation 3230 class, Leisure Theory and Applications, we are studying the ideas of psychologist John Neulinger, who wrote a book back in the dark ages (ok, 1974) called, “The Psychology of Leisure.” In it, he states:
“To leisure means to be engaged in an activity performed for its own sake, freely and without pressure or coercion; it means doing something from which one derives meaning, and satisfaction, and which involves one to the very core of one’s being.” (pg. xii, italics in original).
Our online class discussions this week have been rich with talk of what “to leisure” means for each of us. What is it that brings you meaning and satisfaction; that brings you joy to your very core? What makes you come alive?
I have to admit, this is one of my all-time favourite topics to discuss.
As an instructor, I love to listen to students talk about what they are passionate about. I love to hear stories of how recreation has altered the course of many people’s lives, and shown them who they really are, at their best; where they shine. It is so inspiring to me to be in a field where we can help connect people to these types of experiences.
As a parent, I have gotten so much joy out of watching my children experience this feeling of deep satisfaction and engagement, even from a very young age. Perhaps it is easier to see this state of engagement in children because they do live in the present so naturally, free from the adult burdens and pressures of everyday life. But I will never forget the first time my son Sam got on a horse, where I watched the world fall away from him, and it was just him and the horse, alone together. I have seen Neulinger’s type of “leisure” in my sons’ baseball antics, and art escapades, and musical adventures. Where this type of leisure is present, so is joy, in its purest form.
So here is to a new month - and a new year - filled with leisure, Neulinger-style. Full of meaning, and satisfaction, and involvement to our very core. As Howard Thurman says, “Don’t ask yourself what the world needs. Ask yourself what makes you come alive, and then go do that. Because what the world needs is people who have come alive.”
Bring it on!
References
Neulinger, J. (1974) The Psychology of Leisure.