Soak-in a Sunset!

THE BEST USE OF LEISURE may not always be to engage in some sort of competitive or robust activity, such as an active game or sport. Taking part in some type of hands-on creative activity, such as a crafts project, may not always be the best choice of what to do in spare time. Different people have different interests! And, people who often participate in some form of active recreation may not always desire to do the same thing in every free-time moment.

At times, all of us would no doubt do well, to pause - to take a break from our busy lives - to relax, to think, to reflect, to meditate, and to meet ourselves! Life is too short to rush through it. The journey needs to be enjoyable. We really do need to slow down the pace of life long enough to savor our food, to actually taste our coffee, and to see and smell the roses along life's pathway. Doing so might be one of our best uses of leisure.

Consider this suggestion: soak-in a sunset! Take the time to sit and watch the sun as it drops lower and lower - and finally vanishes - into the distant western horizon. Whether the view is over the mountains, a meadow, a lake, the ocean, or simply from your own backyard, chances are the experience will cleanse and refresh your mind and restore your inner-being!
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-- The sunset pictured above is viewed over the Gulf of Mexico from northwest Florida.

Hit the Links!

PLAYING GOLF is one of the best leisure activities in the world! Although the game can be very frustrating at times, the benefits completely override any frustration. Consider the following factors.

The game itself is a good one. Challenge is a part of every game. Attempting to correct the stance, swing, or follow-through in order to hit the ball down the middle of the fairway is always a test of skill. Correcting a slice or a hook is difficult, but can be done. Fairway shots and chip shots approaching the green are seldom easy, and consistently dropping putts seems nearly impossible. However, the fun is in the challenge of every attempt to hit the ball just right. The goal is always the lowest score possible: lower than your opponents; or lower than your own score the last time you played. The golfer is really in competition with himself, and not necessarily always with the scores of other golfers.

The opportunity to be in the great outdoors and to see the beauty of nature, which is a part of every golf course, is also good. We need to get outside the walls of our homes or places of work. We need to breathe-in the fresh air; we need to stretch our distance vision. We need to change our scenery. Being on a golf course gives us these kinds of opportunities.

Health and wellness are enhanced by playing golf. The game offers plenty of opportunities for exercise and fitness - physically, mentally, and emotionally. Obviously, walking while playing 9 or 18 holes of golf gives the most physical exercise. However, do not discount the exercise received while riding in a golf cart. Even then, walking, swinging, and standing are still required! From the mental perspective, the consideration of which club to use, or how to avoid a sand trap or water hazard always keeps the wheels turning in your head. Keeping your spirits high, even after a bad hole, is good exercise for the emotions. While playing golf, it is difficult - if not impossible - to be worrying about a leaky faucet at home or a budget problem at the office. Even if only for a couple of hours, your mind can be focused away from worries. The game will capture your attention!

For many, the game of golf provides a social outlet and a time of fellowship with friends. Playing regularly with the same foursome, or small group, can help develop friendships and an atmosphere of friendly competition. It becomes fun just to be together. The encouragement from group members for good shots, as well as good-natured ribbing for shots that leave a lot to be desired, are all extra benefits of playing golf with a group of friends.

Golf is a game which can be played by everyone - men, women, boys, and girls. With reasonably good health, individuals can enjoy golf as a lifetime sport. From a long-time amateur, the advice is to hit the links and enjoy a great leisure experience.

Biking for Fun

ONE OF THE BEST leisure activities, and one that can be enjoyed by boys, girls, men, and women, is bike riding. For kids, biking can be loads of fun, can give a sense of adventure and independence, and can even provide a means of transportation. For adults, riding a bike can easily bring back memories of the care-free days of childhood, and can provide opportunities for exercise and fitness. Going on a bike ride can oftentimes become that special "something to do" for sweethearts - or just a couple of friends. Families can find enjoyment by riding bikes together - around the block, down the street, or on a trail. Larger groups may elect to schedule a bike ride from one specific location to another.

When it comes to choosing a great free-time activity, don't overlook the wonderful world of biking! At any age, riding bikes is fun - whether riding solo, or with others - and, for most people, will prove to be a good "get-away" from the usual and regular routines of everyday life. Thus, biking most clearly qualifies as recreation: refreshment of body, mind, or spirit; something interesting to do, in leisure, just for the fun of it.