Leisure means “free
time, time at one’s disposal”,
which is not filled by work, whether it is by a paid job or by schoolwork or by
housework.
Leisure is that sweetest of moments when a man has nothing specific to do, when
he is his own master and can dispose of his spare time at his own sweet will. It is, therefore, one
of the pleasures of life to have leisure and to be able to use it intelligently
because, however old we are, or young, we have only one life, and time is most
precious to all of us. It cannot be wasted.
The necessity for having a rest from work and worry cannot be too much
stressed. It has been said—sweet is pleasure after pain, i.e. labour. Nothing
wears out a man both physically and mentally as continuous pre-occupation with
worldly matters.
The Hindu Sastras also impose leisure compulsory by enjoying cessation
of work on different occasions.Indeed; leisure is in the very scheme of nature.
Sleep is compulsory leisure enforced by Mother Nature.
Leisure
breaks upon the monotony of existence with a touch of variety. Man's life is
usually bound by routine; leisure affords an opportunity to escape out of the
compulsions of routine and breathe the fresh air of freedom. This, therefore,
is always a source of joy whenever it comes.
But the
problem is—how to acquire leisure. Life is not an easy affair these days. The
mere task of keeping the body and soul together strains resources to the utmost
limit. To live well one has to be incessantly toiling, just to earn that extra
bit of money. We all are slaves to necessities.
Human
brain reaches a fatigue curve by constantly minding remunerative work. Brain
and brawn then need respite or leisure. But the idle brain is the devil's
workshop. So some hobby should be cultivated and pursued to recuperate our
energy. Book-lovers can turn over the pages of some favorite book. Those who
love the open-air country-side may take to the joy of standing out in the open
and feed their senses with the sights and sounds that create beauty and music.
Of course, there is no limit to ways in which we can get through time
fruitfully.
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 or cows;
No time to see, when woods we pass,
Where squirrel hide their nuts in grass”, etc
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