It’s summer time here in the northern hemisphere. And when we think “summer,” we usually think vacation or enjoying more lesisure time–especially outdoors. Consequently, I thought it would be fitting to give you 20 quotations on rest, leisure and play from a variety of individuals. I invite you to reflect on these “leisurely.”
1) The true object of all human life is play. Earth is a task garden; heaven is a playground. G. K. Chesterton
2) Play is called recreation because it makes us new again; it re-creates us and our world. Stuart Brown
3) The Chinese pictograph for “busy” is composed of two characters: heart and killing. Br. David Steindl-Rast
4) Cease a moment, stop your work, and take a look around you. Leo Tolstoy
5) The opposite of play is not work. It is despondency… One imaginative interpretation of “God rested” is that on the seventh day God kicked back, opened arms wide, and laughed and laughed, making all things whole and holy. Rose Marie Berger
6) For five years I raced around digging ponds, chopping trees, clearing paths, pulling rocks, unclogging channels, planting–always making lists, plans, agendas; always “improving” things. One day, after finishing yet another important project, I made a list of all the things I had left to do. According to my schedule, I could begin enjoying my land twenty-five years down the line. Something was dreadfully wrong. John Taylor Gatto
7) Forget about productivity once in a while and give yourself permission to goof off. Amy Morin
8) Jesus knows we must come apart and rest awhile, or else we may just plain come apart. Vance Havner
9) A saint was once asked, while playing happily with his companions, what he would do if an angel told him that in a quarter of an hour he would die and appear before the judgment seat of God. The saint promptly replied, “I would continue playing, because I am certain that these games are pleasing to God. St. John Bosco
10) Cartoon character to a friend: “I’ve tried relaxing, but–I don’t know–I feel more comfortable tense.
11) Many church ministers see themselves as a lasting exception to the need for play and rest. They act–and often speak–as if… all the work of God rests on their Atlas-like back alone. Wayne E. Oates
12) I’ve lived too much of my life where people can reach me. Rumi (13th century Persian poet)
13) The most valuable thing we can do for the psyche, occasionally, is to let it rest, wander, live in the changing light of a room, not trying to be or do anything whatever. May Sarton
14) Eutropalia is the virtue of being able to rest and play and have a good time. Anonymous source
15) There is no music in a “rest,” that I know of; but there’s the making of music in it. And people are always missing that part of the life-melody. John Ruskin
16) Millions long for immortality who do not know what to do with themselves on a rainy Sunday afternoon. Susan Ertz
17) We don’t stop playing because we grow old… we grow old because we stop playing. George Bernard Shaw
18) Play is our brain’s favorite way of learning. Diane Ackerman
19) Together with the culture of work, there must be a culture of leisure as gratification. To put it another way: people who work must take time to relax, to be with their families, to enjoy themselves, read, listen to music, play a sport. Pope Francis
20) What do I want to take home from my summer vacation? Time. The wonderful luxury of being at rest. The days when you shut down the mental machinery that keeps life on track and let life simply wander. The days when you stop planning, analyzing, thinking and just are. Summer is my grace period. Ellen Goodman
For reflection:
Did any of the quotes or pictures stand out for you? Let us know below. You don’t even have to tell us why–but you can if you want to.
What grade (from A to F) would you give yourself for how well you balance work and leisure in your life today? What about in your past?
What are some of the ways you rest, have leisure, or play?
Do you ever play with God?
Did Jesus ever rest, have leisure, or play?
PS: Next Sunday is Father’s Day. I want to wish all you fathers out there a beautiful day and thank you for all the love you put into your “vocation” of fathering! I hope this Father’s Day your celebration may include lots of rest, leisure, and play!
PS #2: I ask your prayers for a retreat I’m giving this week to the Sisters of St. Joseph and their associates in Erie, PA. Thank you very much!
Growing up on our small farm, we kids were lucky to have a beautiful woods in the back of our property as well as across the road from us. During summer especially, those woods were one of our favorite places to play and explore. So, the video I chose today is called “Through the Woods” by the Okee Dokee Brothers, two talented men who write mostly children’s songs. I hope you enjoy it!
For captions, click cc.
I’m eager to hear from you below! So are our readers!
25 Responses
Good morning, Sr. Melannie…
Good morning, all…
There’s so much good in today’s blog that I hardly know where to begin! All of these quotes are worthy of a daily meditation, especially nowadays, when the siren-song of social media wants all of our time.
I really like May Sarton’s quote: just let our psyches rest, just wander from room to room. look out a window, be bored (I think this is what she means). Shut off the conscious brain and let the sub-conscious brain work things out, sift through all the clutter.
I also like what the saint said about play and how God likes play. Haven’t we all at least once been so engrossed in a game that time didn’t seem to exist? An hour just flew by! I think that’s closest we come to experiencing eternity while on earth. By the way, small children, who have yet to learn to tell time, must experience eternity all the time! No wonder why Jesus wanted us to be like them!
Have a great, playful day!
Good morning Sister Melanie! I’m done making my “list” for today which involves deciding how I am going to decorate one of the main walls in my school, getting my tires rotated, and after this, i’m going to devote the afternoon to scrapbooking. I’ve been doing this for 23 years and I really only have time for it in the summer. I have albums of love for each of my grandchildren where I write “to” them next to the best of their photos. I find it very relaxing, looking at the photos of my grandchildren, and reliving our good times together! I also relax by making cards to send to my friends and family. This summer, with it being the 250th anniversary of our great country, I’ve been making a lot of cards that say “YOU are what makes America great!” or, “The just shall flourish like the palm tree.” Ps. 92:13 I believe they spread love in our world and that’s why I do it. Soon, on my to do list, I will be making cards for all the new staff at my school. They will say, “Welcome to John Tower Elementary! You’re one of US now!” I don’t really consider myself as being creative, but I love I can relax doing these things!
awakens wonderful memories of hiking in the mountains of the Blue Ridge, triumph when reaching the top of Lookout Mt….looking for salamanders in the creeks, sitting on the porch swing listening to the birds or the rain on the tin roof. Putting watermelon in the creek to cool, listening to the chatter of my aunts and uncles. Seeing black bears or deer wander into the yard. Peace.
I learned a new word today, thank you! According to AI, Eutrapelia (or eutropalia) is the ancient Greek virtue of well-balanced playfulness, wittiness, and the healthy use of leisure. It represents the “golden mean” between the extremes of joyless moroseness (taking life too seriously) and buffoonery (frivolity or inappropriate joking). Now I have an excuse to pleasure my soul 😇
Dear Sister Melanie, I need to wander through the woods today. Your video insired me to enjoy and appreciate what i do have. Days are hectic for us as you know. I put my trust in God that i need to relax. God is good… I love reflection # 8
Oh, so many good quotes! I liked #4…so many times when a storm is coming or there is a beautiful sunset…I have to “cease a moment and take a look” to enjoy God’s creation!
But #6 and 7 also spoke to my scheduling and productivity…I had to laugh at the thought that I work so hard and may be able to enjoy it 25 years from now. Oh, Lord, help me to forget productivity and give myself time to good off.
Thank you for giving me these quotes and helping me to meditate on how to stop planning and “just be”.
Once a retreat director told me to go out and play. I walked in a little stream, slipped and fell. I wasn’t hurt. I laughed and told God that’s not what I had in mind.
My favorite: Earth is a task garden; heaven is a playground. G. K. Chesterton
I will share with my yoga class today.
Greetings,
Two favorites
We don’t stop playing because we grow old… we grow old because we stop playing. George Bernard Shaw
Play is our brain’s favorite way of learning. Diane Ackerman
Melannie prayers for you as you direct the retreat for the Sisters of St. Joseph and their associates.
May they be blessed during this special time of retreat and receive many of God’s blessings and grace.
Blessings,
Jane
Thank you, Sister Melanie…. simply thank you ☺️ 🩷
Thank you Melannie for today’s sharing. I found something in each quote and especially love #7 and #13. I no longer feel guilty for taking time to goof off, which never seemed like goofing off when we played in the yard or roamed the woods when we were kids. Just let yourself “be”.
Will pray for you as you give your retreat.
They are all good, 1, 2, 3, 5 and 13 really spoke to me.
Love the music and song, too.
Thank you!
Hello Sr. Melannie,
I like the quote: “Forget about productivity once in a while and give yourself permission to goof off.” By Amy Morin. My husband and I are retired and I make a “to do” list every day. I always think that after my chores, I’ll go downstairs to the garage and make some pottery, but often I am tired in the afternoon and think, “I’ll do that tomorrow.” Well, today was laundry day and when I opened the washer lid I found water and a leak, so I put in a work order to the office (apartment complex) and thought about other chores I’ll do, but first I wanted to finish my morning prayers and read your blog….instead, after reading your blog and writing you a note, I am going straight to the garage and make some pottery.
Sr. Melannie etal.,
I am in the waning years of my life now and have very little that I “have to do”, whiich suits me just fine. I was a single mom for 16 years and always had lots to do back then, so I truly savor this time in my life.
I was born into a family with great humor and learned to find humor in the regular things of life at an early age. So laughter is heard often when I am around or with my siblings…..we each appreciate our silly sense of humor and enjoy when others join in. I believe that a good belly laugh is great medicine for our souls and bodies…..refreshing us from the toil of work briefly through any day.
I happen to be reading Fr. James Martin’s book, “Between Heaven and Mirth” right now and appreciating all the little stories he shares about different saints and people we deem holy, and their humor.
All the moments of appreciation of the glory of our surroundings in the sky, the trees, the call of the birds and an occasional glimpse of a deer are brief gifts of joy given to us by our loving God.
Oh that we will/would all “stop and smell the roses”!
Blessings and thank you,
Sr. Melanie,
No matter our age or the time of year, these are words to focus on frequently!
Loved the song as well!
You always have the best music!!
Thanks so very much!
Dittos to your wisdom and that of your appreciative readers. Whether our culture is “high” like classical music or “popular”–leisure is its basis, as Josef Pieper wrote. No one works all the time, not even machines. The slaves of earlier centuries rested and created free play, humor and music with soul, syncopation and energy. God imagined as Wisdom is said to have played, creating the universe including us. We worship God the creator of a mysterious, beautiful and awesome world. We admire the creators of all the arts, and we take honest pleasure and pride in our own little bits of creativity. Kudos to us all, creatures, and to our divine patterner, forever playing at the highest levels.
Play is our brain’s favorite way of learning… I cared for my grandchildren in AK for 2 weeks in June – the four year old astounded me with what he learned while playing games and going to the park – he accidentally learned to add and multiply with “Sushi Go”, learned safe risk taking while climbing the spiderweb and learned care for others when planting a garden to “grow food to feed my family”. None of this learning was planned. If we don’t take time from mundane tasks , we lose opportunities to enrich our lives – and the lives of our family members.
Prayers for your retreat. Enjoyed all. Each one gave me something to think about. I too had had a wooded area behind my home. Back then it was like going to another world. It was full of fun, adventure, and friends. When I see it today I chuckle because it is so small of an area. Another world in the eyes of youth. Happy Father’s Day to all Fathers. God bless all.
Tina
It was all good Sr.Melanie, especially the song. In 2018, two friends and I, walked the last 100km of the Camino. Another friend trained with us the year before. The song video reminded me of our trek and the joy and laughter we shared and still do to this day. Walking in God’s garden is a reminder of His love for all of us and the earth.
Thank you for your weekly “love letter”.
The picture with the dad and his daughters blowing bubbles is what life is all about. I love it.
Wonderful Blog today!!!!! (as usual) Loved the video. It really brought me back to my childhood. Lived in a neighborhood with many kids, and during the summer months we wandered every day, had woods beside us which was magical. Thank you for sharing. Will pray for you and your retreat this weekend.
The picture of the sand toys instantly reminded me of when you were 12 and I was 7. You came to help with us kids when Joe was born. You made roads and houses in the sandbox and took us to the playground. You made me feel very special and I’ll always remember that.
Another favorite of mine – I have idea who or where it was said
Remember we are human BEINGS not human doings
Thank you for the different perspectives-
Am just reading your blog on rest after a ten day trip in Colorado and Utah… visiting some National Parks. What a great way to rest. Having worked in the African American Community as an educator for decades, I was surprised by the selection of the picture of the little boy eating the watermelon. It struck me as being stereotypical and possibly insensitive in today’s world. Just thought a different picture would have been more appropriate.
Kathleen, The idea that the picture could be thought of as being stereotypical did cross my mind… I guess I need to grow in sensitivity. Thank you for your comment. Melannie