Blog Summary #3

The Science of Leisure

I entered into this class with an open mind, not really knowing exactly what to expect. Today I reflect back on 12 weeks of leisure education, and I cannot help but smile!

I have always had a passion for people and their well-being. The field of holistic health is growing, and the more I learn about and experience leisure the more I am convinced that leisure is essential in ones lifestyle. Unfortunately, leisure has yet to achieve full recognition and appreciation for its ability to improve quality of life. Fortunately, each semester a bunch of primed, propped and prepared leisure educators venture into the big world, ready to make peoples lives more leisurely. I am one of them!

When I re-read my blog entries from this semester I see a person that values leisure. When you value something you make it prominent in your life. Datillo states that "the degree of interest and involvement in activities may be related closely to the degree to which an individual values leisure". So the question becomes, how can you make someone value leisure? First off, I do not think that you can bestow values on anyone. It has to come from within the person. Secondly, how can you value something that you have not experienced? Experiencing is central in leisure education. Actions speak louder than words, and as a leisure educator I think this is imperative; it is not enough to leisure educate someone just by talking about it. The best way to leisure educate someone is to support and guide them so that they can have experiences. Through their experiences their will become aware of their freedom of choice and be intrinsically motivated. I believe that if you can help a person feel leisure once, they will seek and pursue further. It’s all about getting the ball rolling :)

Leisure education has significantly affected me in two ways. On an intrapersonal level because of increased self-awareness, appreciation and better understanding of why I leisure the way I do. Furthermore, on an interpersonal level because I now have the tools and know-how of how to leisure educate those around me. I value leisure, and I want others to as well.

I am on a mission. A mission to share my leisure experiences so that others will follow. I will lead by example!

Time for Twilight!

Hehehehe, its cheapy tuesday I am going to the movies to see Twilight. Always interesting to see the movie after one has read the book. Usually the latter is better, but its also cool to get a visual representation based on the directors interpretation of the storyline.... Update will follow :)