This week’s Sunday Stills theme “I’d Rather Be…” implies something you wish you were doing instead of doing something else, or would rather be somewhere else. Maybe challenge yourself with the question “Would you rather walk on the moon or visit the bottom of the ocean…for example? This theme has endless possibilities for you to explore and share!
In the meantime, Spring has officially awakened in the northern hemisphere!
After a long winter where snow fell over five months (Nov-March!), I was at the point where I would rather be anywhere than in the dark. The onset of snow and winter is fun until Christmas, but by January, I’m done!
As I patiently waited for signs of spring, I looked through tons of image archives which helped me design the theme for this post. I hope you enjoy my walk down memory lane as I recall spring and autumn days of hiking and the fond memories I enjoyed engaging with my university students from back in the day.
Teaching the Concept of “I’d Rather Be (or Do)…”
Back in my university lecturing days, I had the honor of teaching recreation and parks management courses at Sacramento State University for 10 years. My creativity flowed with ideas to demonstrate the importance of leisure to college students who were non-majors. I had the bright idea to teach students about spontaneous play, by giving each student a small vial of bubbles. Before class ended we walked to the nearby Guy West Bridge and proceeded to play!
Most adults are taught that play is only for children. On this softball field managed by my former parks and recreation department, we hosted adult sports leagues as well as adult groups who enjoyed playing kickball. Their shirts say it all!
In addition to university-sponsored activities on and off campus, students in my courses engaged in a variety of activities and then wrote essays about their experiences.
A full day at the University’s Challenge Ropes Course introduced students to the concepts of leisure, play, motivation, fear, and taking a leap of faith. Their subsequent essays were quite wonderful to read.
I enjoyed getting in on the action by crossing this bridge, too!
“When you cross a bridge, you take a break from this world!” ― Mehmet Murat ildan
Other classes tried their hands at the university’s aquatics center located on Lake Natoma, 10 miles from campus.
Just look at this student’s smile as she tried the water bike for the first time!
After a fun morning with the students, you would find me borrowing a stand-up paddle board for a two-hour SUP session.
After all, I had to practice what I teach!
After students faced their fears and tried new activities on the challenge course or at the aquatic center, they wrote essays on their reactions to their new experiences. Many students admitted they were excited to try more recreational activities and to change their perspective on what, where, or how they’d “rather be.” Lessons learned.
I’d Rather Be…Hiking!
“Hiking and happiness go hand in hand, or foot in boot.” ~ Diane Spicer
I know, I hike almost every day, which is pretty much my go-to exercise. Trust me when I say it has been a challenge with all our snow this winter. With most of the snow melted, I can now take much longer walks around the neighborhood and hike into the nearby hills.
The Bowl and Pitcher area in Riverside State Park is close to home and a fun destination to take folks when they come to visit us.
My bride-to-be daughter and her fiance enjoyed their visit in 2021.
“If you are losing your leisure, look out! — It may be you are losing your soul.” ― Virginia Woolf
Inspiring Photo Challenges This Week
Each week I am inspired by my fellow bloggers’ photo challenges. I enjoy incorporating these into my Sunday Stills weekly themes.
Sunday Stills Photo Challenge Reminders
The Sunday Stills weekly-themed photo challenge is easy to join. You have all week to share and link your post.
- Remember to title your blog post a little differently than mine.
- Please create a new post for the theme or link a recent one.
- Entries for this theme can be posted all week.
- Tag your post “Sunday Stills.”
- Don’t forget to create a pingback to this post so that other participants can read your post.
- I also recommend adding your post’s URL to the comments.
This Week’s Featured Bloggers
Sunday Stills is a wonderful community of bloggers and photographers who desire to connect with one another. Below are this week’s links from bloggers who shared their “I’d Rather Be” photos. I add these all week as new links are posted.
- YOUR BLOG’S NAME HERE…
- Always Write
- Beachwalk Reflections
- Between the Lines
- Boz Bozeman
- Bushboys World
- Cats and Trails and Garden Tales
- The Day After
- A Day in the Life
- Deb’s World
- Equipoise Life
- Graham’s Island
- Hugh’s Views and News
- LadyLee Manila
- Loving Life
- Musin’ With Susan
- Philosophy through Photography
- Picture Retirement
- Quaint Revival
- Roberta Writes
- Stevie Turner
- This is Another Story
- Travel with Me
- Woolly Muses
- Working on Exploring
A huge thank you to all of you who shared your GREEN posts last week. I can’t wait to see what inspires you this week with your “rather be” ideas!
New here? Subscribe to Second Wind Leisure Perspectives to receive my weekly posts.
Second Wind Leisure Perspectives 
What is YOUR perspective? Please include your name if WP identifies you as “anonymous.