Leisure

We are a society that loves leisure.

To the point where we've forgotten that we need to work first in order to survive.

The fruit of our labor and the food, clothing, and shelter that come from that labor have been so far removed from each other that we are not alive when we work and we do not feel connected to the labor we do. The money we get is a means to play, even when we don't actually have the time to play.

Life is whittled away for short-term, meaningless pleasures that leave us feeling empty and a little older than before. Before we know it, we are no longer capable of learning, of growing, or of deriving truly meaningful encounters and experiences.

Are the games we play, the TV shows we watch, and all the little things we do to waste time really worth it?

But then, on the flip side, why should we feel so guilty doing the things that we enjoy?

Is it because we are not contributing to society or bettering ourselves?

If we seek out leisure that does not enhance our being, is there something wrong with that?

I think the issue is that in the end, as individuals, one is often left feeling worse than before by doing things that do not engage the mind or better oneself. It's always in retrospect that regret kicks in and one can be found saying,

"I had all the time in the world but I didn't..."
"I could have done .... instead of ...."

I suppose it goes back to the idea of carpe diem or the ever-so-ridiculous YOLO.

Claim the day as ours, looking into the future so that we look back without regrets.*

*It's so funny how this statement as well as carpe diem and YOLO become justifications to do dumb things. One may live as if one will die tomorrow, but the changes of that happening is low. So many people live to see another day. Therefore, one must necessarily live with the future in mind in all that one does.

Like duh.