Idleness or Leisure?

Idleness or Leisure?

My trusty 1828 Noah Webster Dictionary says that idleness is "abstinence from labor or employment; the state of doing nothing; aversion to labor; reluctance to be employed or to exertion, either of body or mind; sloth; sluggishness." Idleness is often the effect of laziness and sometimes this word may be used for it.

Leisure is "freedom from occupation or business; vacant time; time free from employment or convenience of time." There are few people today who would disagree with the fact that all of us need some leisure or time for ourselves to relax, enjoy life and literally do nothing. However, we need to explore carefully what the implications of too much leisure or idleness itself might bring.

An anonymous writer makes this observation: No one has a right to live in idleness and expect to live long and be happy. The ship anchored in the harbor rots faster than the ship crossing the ocean. A still pool of water stagnates more rapidly than a running stream. Our unused muscles are subjected to atrophy much more rapidly than those in use. The unused cells in our brains deteriorate much faster than those which are continually exercised. Hence, to remain young we must remain active.

Insurance statistics clearly reveal that when a person retires, unless they have new activities which will keep them busy doing something of value, their life span is substantially shortened, so enjoy some leisure time but be careful about idleness. It can kill you. This doesn't mean that you have to be "busy" all the time, but those who are involved in church activities, visit the residents in nursing homes, run errands for shut ins, baby sit occasionally for single mothers, etc., will be happier, healthier, and live longer, so actively make a contribution and I'll SEE YOU AT THE TOP!

Zig Ziglar is known as America’s Motivator. He authored 33 books and produced numerous life changing programs. He will be remembered as a man who lived out his faith daily.