The Power of Pure Leisureby Lee Chamberland
Power of Wellness Coaching, Seminars and Retreats
After 25 years as a leisurologist (teacher, student and lover of leisure), I still stand in awe and absolute amazement at the power of pure leisure. What do I mean by pure leisure? It’s the kind of thing we do simply because we like it. Pure enjoyment, fun and/or pleasure are what drive us.
For so many of us, pure leisure feels like a distant memory – our lives are so full of the day to day tasks of living and taking care of business. And when we do take time out for leisure, there are often ulterior motives. For example, we walk around our neighborhood or play tennis in order to stay fit and/or lose weight; we go dancing so that we can meet other single people, we do crossword puzzles in order to keep our minds sharp because we’ve read somewhere that that helps.
Of course these are all wonderful activities and it’s possible to enjoy ourselves immensely at the same time as reaping the other benefits; and yet it’s also possible (and common) to neglect the enjoyment factor in pursuit of the other pay-offs we’re seeking. And when that happens, even our “free time activities” can begin to feel like work … another task to add to the long list of daily to do’s.
Last week I really noticed the power of pure leisure in my life. I had been struggling to make an important decision and felt confused, tired and irritable – out of touch with myself! So I asked for divine guidance (aka “help, please!”) and the immediate thought that popped into my head was “go do something fun”. This inner voice didn’t say “go make a list of pros and cons” or “go read another self-help book”, it said “go and do something fun”. So I did.
I got out of my head and into my heart and my heart led me to walk from my lovely neighborhood to one of my favorite little coffee shops downtown by the water, buy a coffee and the daily edition of the New York Times (just on a whim), and sit on a park bench, savoring this delicious coffee and the sights and sounds of the Times and the people, dogs and boats surrounding me. How lovely! How rejuvenating. Pure, pure leisure.
Needless to say, about 5 minutes into my return home this juicy, wonderful, calm and beautiful clarity came to me, out of the blue it seemed. It came easily and effortlessly … it had arisen above all the confusion sometime during my pure pleasure. I literally felt myself returning from some far-off place … and I felt such gratefulness.
So, am I saying that it’s not a good idea to make a list of pros and cons or read self-help books when we’re in need of clarity? No. Anyone who knows me well knows that I love a good list and a great self-help book. When my intuition says to go there, I do. Am I saying that one dose of pure leisure will give you the answer to any question you’re pondering? Maybe, maybe not. What I am saying is that a dose of pure leisure feels really, really good … and that it alone will often surprise you with brilliant gifts you might never have imagined on your own. And it will do all that quite effortlessly. And that’s a great thing, don’t you think?
Lee Chamberland is director of Power of Wellness Services, including Wellness & Happiness Coaching and a wide range of Inspirational Wellness Seminars and Retreats, based in Vancouver, BC. She has twenty years experience in health and wellness in Canada and the U.S., and an MS Degree with a focus on health promotion and mind/body/spirit medicine. She is a Holistic Nutritional Consultant (Global Institute for Alternative Medicine), and has completed the Co-Active Coaching Course (CTI), Creating Health Cert. (Chopra Centre) and Professional Certification. Lee is a recognized Inspirational Speaker & Coach and a grateful student of life! Visit her website at powerofwellness.com.