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In January, President Barack Obama delivered his inaugural address to America and to the world. Within his speech, he made reference to two concepts basic to the parks and recreation field--happiness and leisure. Unfortunately, he presented them as a contrast, not as the connected concepts they are.
Defining Happiness
Throughout past centuries, there have been many interpretations of what “happiness” actually means. To ancient Greeks, who often are credited with developing the concept of leisure, happiness was the reward for a life well-lived. Parks and recreation managers know in their hearts--and have seen with their own eyes--that the people they serve are happiest when playing at local facilities, literally re-creating their lives in the process.
In the middle of his remarks, President Obama revealed an all-too-common misunderstanding about happiness and leisure when he said, “In reaffirming the greatness of our nation … our journey … has not been the path for the faint-hearted, for those who prefer leisure over work.”