May 6, 2015, TGIW: Unhumping Hump Day…and Re-Creation

“Leave all the afternoon for exercise and recreation, which are as necessary as reading. I will rather say more necessary because health is worth more than learning.” –Thomas Jefferson

Perhaps the world is a lot more complicated and busy than when a Continental Congressman and then President of the United States could espouse the benefits of stepping away from the machine/desk/pile/to-dos for the sake of refreshment…and yet how much of our creativity gets jammed because of jamming too much in?

We can look at the word “recreation” beyond the typical definition of a pastime, diversion, exercise, or other resource affording relaxation and enjoyment (e.g., a morning run, softball on the weekend, the company sailing society, etc.).

A broader meaning comes from breaking the word into its parts: RE-CREATE, creating anew. Think of that: creating ANEW!

Therefore, recreation is not only possible but critical for nurturing new creativity.

In one’s day, that may be a mid-day walk in the park, quieting the mind.

In one’s career, that may be mid-career considerations of true passions and callings.

In one’s overall life, that may be a mid-life discovery of Self, playfulness and purpose beyond who we’ve known ourselves to be or known life to afford.

Nobody will ever force our re-creation upon us…and rarely will our boss advocate it. (And if you’re the boss of you, fat chance!)

But, whose life and creativity are we living anyway?

Like the old Fram oil filter commercial used to say, “You can pay me now, or you can pay me later.”

Got re-creation?

“People who cannot find time for recreation are obliged sooner or later to find time for illness.” –John Wanamaker