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Recreation
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City of Roswell
P.O. Drawer 1838
Roswell, NM 88202-1838
(505) 624-6700
Fax: 624-6889 |
THE LEISURE INCIDENT
"Tis
the Season…"
November 13 , 2001
Mr. Kim Elliott, CPRP
Recreation Director
City of Roswell, NM
Tis the Season!
Yes! Tis the season to do what?
It is the season
to remember and to give thanks! This holiday season that
traditionally begins with Thanksgiving and ends with New Year and has
Christmas sandwiched in the middle is the season we are entering. The entire
season is based on remembrance. With the heartbreaking events of September 11,
we should be even more compelled to 'remember' at this time of year.
What do we
remember?
We remember our
founding fathers who fought and sacrificed their homes, family and friends for
our freedoms. Their faith in God and country kept them ever moving forward,
knowing that if they kept to fundamental truths, this nation would be one. We
remember the pilgrims in need and their brothers and neighbors, helping them out
in that time of need. We should remember to be thankful.
We remember
giving and receiving gifts. The proper way to give and to receive involves
remembering. The sacrifices given for others, the cost involved in someone
giving of themselves so that they can see a smile on your face. A gift given
and received involves thanksgiving and remembrance. True gift giving has to
involve both!
We remember our
past and our present, but we look forward to remembering many more pasts. It is
our desire to remember pasts that have been positive and constructive. It is
our desire to remember relationships that have grown and matured. It is our
desire to remember pasts that have been joyous and
full of purpose. In order for us to remember future pasts, we must remember and
be thankful for what has happened and commit ourselves to making a positive
future to remember.
In 1843, the
philosopher Kierkegaard stated, "Most men pursue pleasure with such
breathless haste that they hurry past it." That seems to be very true in
today's world.
This is where the
leisure incident comes into consideration.
We have to be at
this meeting and that event with these people, and we have to be at that meeting
and this event with those people! It doesn't seem to stop at this time of
year. Our kids are involved in many different activities not to mention those
activities with which we ourselves are involved. Many times we even have to
attend activities and events of friends and neighbors. We are too busy! We are
in too much of a hurry! We "hurry past" our pleasures, and this time of year
can be so pleasurable!
One aspect of the
leisure incident is reflection. The holiday season lends itself very well to
reflection. Slow down and enjoy the season. Reflect upon the meaning of
Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's. Take the time to be with your family
and friends. Recreate and see the many sights of the season.
Reflect upon your
health and your family. Reflect upon the freedoms that you have to make the
choices you make. Reflect upon the opportunities that this great nation has
made possible for you. Reflect upon what you can do to make the future better
for you, your family and this county.
When we are too
busy, we don't take the time to reflect. Spend some time this holiday season to
reflect during your leisure incident.
Discover the benefits of Parks and Recreation! "Tis the
Season…"
