I believe leisure to be a "state of mind" as quoted by John Neulinger.
                         He states that leisure is a feeling that comes from being engaged in
                         an activity that gives one pleasure and satisfaction, and is done for
                         its own sake.  Also he believes that you should be yourself to express
                         your own talents and potential when you are in that state of mind.

                         I agree with Mr. Neulinger's philosophy of leisure as a state of mind,
                         moreover, I believe leisure is cleansing of the mind, body, and spirit
                         creating a complete whole person.

                         I feel that leisure time is like "time-out". I like to use this time
                         to gather my inner thoughts, such as my dreams and fears: - My  inner
                         thoughts are used  to reflect on past events and search if necessary
                         for solutions.  It is also used to focus on my dreams  and fears. By
                         utilizing my inner thoughts I am using my mind, body and spirit and
                         this helps  me relax.  ( This thought process is an Intrinsic motiva-
                         tion as it meets my inner needs. For example, when I'm taking a bubble
                         bath or an aromatheraphy bath, its nice and quiet and I can just lay
                         back in the warm water and let my mind roam and my body relax). 

                         My dreams give me a holistic approach to my quality of life which 
                         allows me to express myself and seek self actualization. (An example
                         would be my log home set in a wilderness setting. There would be a
                         lake in the front whereby I can go fishing, or sit on the verandah
                         reading a book or just watching my kids at play.  Another example
                         would be seeing my dream of becoming a recreational therapist or
                         working in the field as a youth coordinator become a reality).

                         My fears have taught me to face head on challenges that will allow
                         me to reach my goals in life. (an example of this is the fact that
                         I took the initiative at my age to go back to college. I chose to
                         take on a number of challenges in order to follow my dream of becoming
                         a recreational therapist.

                         To mention a few such as juggling a household, looking after a family,
                         working part time, and doing three classes).

                         I feel  that by organizing and prioritizing my obligations I am able
                         to conquer my fears and thus enjoy and have self satisfaction in know-
                         ing that I truly can luxuriate in the limited time I have, as I feel
                         that leisure time is necessary for all mankind. ------Why do I feel
                         that leisure is necessary for all mankind?

                         I feel leisure is important as it gives one:
                             
                             1. Freedom of choice such as:
    
                                (a) A feeling of competence in knowing that one has the skills
                                     necessary and can perform the skills fairly well, and or

                                (b) A feeling of control in knowing that one has a choice in
                                     knowing that whatever endeavor they undertake they can
                                     choose what to do, who to do it with and where and when 
                                     to do it. They have this freedom of choice.

                            2. Source of motivation, this allows the body and mind to restore
                                energy.

                            3. Playfulness allows the person sense of spontaneity, getting or
                                feeling immersed in the activity.

                        To support the above I look upon my ability to sail a one or two man
                        boat. When I took my sailing course this gave me the experience to
                        succeed in something I truly enjoyed doing. This course gave me the
                        feeling of competence, control, intrinsic motivation and my favorite,
                        (playfulness). When I'm out on the water I feel that I am the only
                        person around, the sun shining and the gentle breeze keeping my sails
                        full and causing a cool and refreshing spray of salt water on  my face
                        which gives me a feeling of the most inner peace. 

                        When I am  out sailing, safety is the most important thing on my mind,
                        yet just being on the water allows me to get totally immersed in thought,
                        but yet confident enough to have full control of the activity of sailing . 	
                        This activity is one that I can do by myself or with a friend and still
                        get lots of  pleasure and satisfaction from it. The reason I feel that
                        leisure time is necessary for all mankind is so that they can experience
                        the cleansing of the mind, body, and spirit creating a complete whole person.


          

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