A Life of Leisure

It's something we all dream of, isn't it?  A "life of leisure" where our time is our own and we have no one to answer to?  Perhaps we dream of hours beach-combing or mountain hiking.  Or rather we dream of travel and not knowing where the next day will take us.  For many, this kind of life is desired/expected as a reward for all our hard work in years prior.  My confession: I don't do this type of leisure well.  I am always fretting about what else I should be doing, rather than enjoying the fun.  I end up not enjoying my leisure time because I am always thinking ahead to the "next thing" that needs my attention.

This week I have been challenged to understand "leisure" differently.  It is not about what recreational time and activities we are going to do and enjoy, but rather how we live fully present in every moment.  Every year I take a vacation to visit my parents in Florida.  Every year I get about three days into the trip and begin dreading or worrying about the trip home.  This is not living in leisure!!  Whether working or playing, living in leisure is being able to take life moment by moment - to be fully present in those moments and to live fully the life God has given us.  

To illustrate this further, I have always prided myself as a "multi-tasker."  It seems our society expects us and rewards us for being able to have our mind in several different gears as we get our work done each day.  Not only is my mind full of gears moving all the time, I am always switching from one to another.  In doing so, I am never fully present in any one.  Of my many take-always from this week of residency learning is my need and desire to be more fully present in every moment.  For me, it's about slowing down, doing a few things well (as opposed to 100 things half-way) and being at peace in each moment while also living fully into each moment of this God-given life.  

So with that in mind, how are you doing at really living a life of leisure?  What are those things that are keeping you from being fully present in each God breathed moment?  How can you begin to live a life of leisure that is a life of fullness beyond any recreational and fun activity that pulls you?