Narrow is the Road to Leisure

On By Terri Webster SchrandtIn leisure, Leisure Education, photography

Windsurfer walks the narrow path to the beach

When we form our leisure habits, we do so from our positive experiences within that pastime. Sometimes obstacles get in the way of our outdoor experiences which may prevent us from fully participating.

In the above photo, you can see the way to this beach is not only Narrow but precarious. These obstacles do NOT deter these windsurfers from having their day in the wind and water. Isn’t this nice of my hubby to carry my windsurf board back to the truck after a long day in the water?

Some of the obstacles we might face in our leisure pastimes are related to time and location. Other obstacles might be our perceptions of leisure and whether we have worked hard enough to earn the time. Still others experience fear when trying something new and that path to experiential learning becomes too narrow.

Climbers face a narrow path up the face of Lembert Dome

I like to think that these women climbers in this photo, not only earned their leisure time, but conquered their fears as they climbed this narrow way up the face of Lembert Dome in the Yosemite high country.

Why do we choose a narrow path to our leisure?

Abraham Maslow places the concept of “self-actualization” at the top of the “hierarchy of needs.”

Hungarian Psychologist, Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi, popularized the concept of “flow,” a highly focused mental state that can occur both in leisure and work. Flow is the sense of effortless action people feel in moments that stand out as the best in their lives.

Achieving flow is often referred to as being “in the zone.”

Subconsciously, we want to achieve “flow” or self-actualization when participating in any form of leisure activity, whether it is something relaxing like reading, or whether it is participating in an active sport or game

The physical and mental challenges afforded by both windsurfing and climbing, depicted in these photos, paves that narrow path with gold, so that flow can be achieved.

When crafting this post, I came upon this quote from Matthew 7:14:

Narrow is the road that leads to life and only a few find it.

When I read this, I understand how true this is. If we equate leisure with life, we let too many obstacles get in the way of living our lives to the fullest. The path to happiness and fulfillment may indeed be narrow, but it is one worth taking.

The Weekly Photo Challenge is available to all bloggers and posts every Friday.

narrow road to windsurfing

What obstacles prevent you from experiencing your well-earned leisure time?

Thanks for reading!

33 thoughts on “Narrow is the Road to Leisure”

  3. Hi Terri! I have never (yet) tried windsurfing but it is certainly has it’s appeal. Through the years Thom and I have tried a number of things. Probably our most adventurous was scuba diving. It was fun but Thom got tired of carrying all the stuff for me. And while I’m all of trying new things, I do tend to be a “fair-weather” leisure person. If it is too hot or too cold I’m not that interested! Still, I can’t imagine life without being able to get out and do things at whatever speed I’m capable of….regardless of whether it is narrow or wide! Thanks for making me think about it! ~Kathy

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  7. I love this Terri! I do struggle with taking leisure time since I still work. I run my own company and I am the boss yet I have to talk myself into taking a few hours to meet with a friend, go on a bike ride everyday and take time to enjoy my garden. As much as I can and like to get into a zone on a business issue, I like to balance getting into a zone of leisure activity too as just important!

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  9. Right now mosquitos are our barrier. They are thick, swarming and bite through the Off. Yesterday I heard two women at the gym discussing giving up on their gardens because of the mosquitos. Two more inches of rain last night, so they will be around a few more weeks!

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  10. Mine is time. That’s something I’m working on in 2016 and going forward. Even if it’s day trips out of time, I need to make sure that I’m enjoying my leisure time and unplugging from the world.

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  11. A wonderful article, Terri, and very thought-provoking with very original ideas. I’m not someone to take physical risks, although I love exercising. But I do try to take risks in my other leisure activities and live life to the full.

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    1. Thank you, so much, Toni! You sound like you’re on the right track for your activities. Did you know that I teach these same leisure concepts in university curriculum in the Parks and Recreation Major? It’s pretty much a part of me 🙂

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      1. That sounds fantastic, Terri – those students are lucky to have you. We’re only on this earth for such a short time – we should make the most of every moment.

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  12. sizzlesue15

    Time is such a factor in most peoples lives. They don’t realize that if they make time for leisure their health and happiness will improve. Thanks for another great read Terri. Love the photos.

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  13. I feel that the reason why I could not fully enjoy my leisure time is due to the fact that I feel guilty when doing it. I would love to go out and have fun while doing physical activities like kayaking or rock climbing but there are always the feeling of not being able to fully enjoy it while something is on my mind. The intense guilt is not healthy and I think that I need to balance it out with my work, school and leisure. Thanks for the great post and much love.

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    1. April, windsurfing has almost broken me, but when I get a great session on the water, there is nothing like it. I wrecked my knee hiking last year in Oregon…that’s what prescription-strength ibuprofen is for, LOL! Glad you don’t let those things stop you!

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