In our society, many people spend so much time working, or struggling with life that they allow no time to play or for recreation or hobbies. They struggle for a better job, higher salary, larger car, newer caravan, the boat, larger house, and to get their children to live their dreams for them through educational qualifications and the same pattern of work and property accumulation. Many have been conditioned since childhood to run on this treadmill.
So what would happen if we took them out of this cycle for a short time, and got them to take up a new hobby, perhaps oil painting, or get them to buy and look after a bit of woodland. They would start to see a new view of life, some of the problems that created so much stress for them would become insignificant, many of the things they had been doing they would be able to see a more effective and quicker way to achieve them. Those around them would get more attention and they might even ask their children what they really wanted out of life, and take steps to help them choose their own path and to follow it.
They would hopefully realize that they could balance work and play, that some of the material things that they are striving for could be left out, and instead greater pleasure, and time with others enjoyed. Perhaps they may start to think about the friends they have not spoken to recently, or the hobby or interest they had thought about before but never had time for.
Those who plan for happiness and inactivity in retirement, but do not take the time before to play, to try new things, to enjoy life, tend to have a very short retirement, be unhappy and die early. While the person who has many areas of activity, and many interests, will tend to be far happier and live far longer.
