Add a little Saturday in every work day

It seems too many push off family time to the weekends and annual vacation, I add a little bit of Saturday into every work day, and this is why... A children’s playground is an interesting analog to our tenure on earth. Watch children at play during their 15-minute school time recess and you will discover something quite interesting. The children will quickly run onto the playground at the sound of the bell, and then seem to slow down and play at a somewhat steady, linear rate. But the moment the 2-minute warning bell is sounded, something amazing happens - the children instantly light up with activity, neurotically running from playground equipment to playground equipment, rushing, rushing, and trying to make the last few moments’ count.

I once lived near Palm Desert, California, and during that time, I noticed senior citizens in their RV’s express a similar pattern. Their lives never seemed to be that urgent. There was always time for that special home improvement project, TV show, or can't wait chore, however there was seemingly no time to weave in weekly adventure. But now, the warning bell has rung and the seniors scramble, with daily itineraries that would weary a 25-year old. The seniors rush to dance lessons, senior potlucks, golf tournaments, and tennis matches.

Though certainly many are fulfilled and happy with this arrangement, I have watched the look of ennui and lament on the faces of many seniors that only now have begun to prioritize play. Their health problems squelch total ecstasy. Their neurotic need to pull themselves out into the world daily to get their fair share of living, stresses, not enhancing life but rather weakening its spirit. They frantically rush to make up for lost time...

When I was conducting interviews for my book, "Exit Interviews" (unfinished), I had the opportunity to speak with seniors from all walks of life, from waitresses to World War II fighter pilots. The prevailing note was struck – the message was clear – do not wait until the end of your life to begin living. When we hear the frustrations of these seniors, we have in effect time-traveled. We have, if we listen, benefited from their mistakes. It is so vital in my opinion that we too do not live in the 11th hour.

I remember once asking one of my former employees what his plans were for the weekend. His answer was clear and sober, “I’m going to sleep in until 11 O’clock.” I found that strong sentiment a bit bizarre. He showed up on time all week for work. Why would you not show up on time for your weekend? I have always taken my weekends and free time and endowed them with the same respect that I give my vocation.

Long ago I was in a band, "Steve Barrett and the Blues Revue", I played drums. Just before a gig one evening, all of us were playing our own little mini-solos getting ready for the evening dance. Steve looked at all of us and said clearly, “C’mon guys, let’s get serious about having fun.” That may have been one of the most profound things anyone has ever said to me, because fun deserves organization as it does commitment. Fun, like success, is no accident. Plan for it and, most importantly, do it. If we wait until the ends of our lives for the fun to begin, we too will suffer the pains of wishing we had done more sooner.

When I was 24 years old I was windsurfing in Morro bay California on a Thursday sneaking from school and work for a few hours of my passion. A surly man asked me, “Hey young man! shouldn’t you be at work”? My answer, “no sir, it will be hard to windsurf when I am old, I am doing it now”.

Simply put... make play a priority, I will leave you with this...

Having lived a Coney Island life

on roller coaster ups and downs

and seen my helium hopes

break skyward without me,

now arms filled with dolls

I threw so much for

I take perhaps my last ride

on this planet-carousel

and ask how many more times rounds

I have to catch that brass-ring-sun

before the game is up.

James L. Weil, “A Coney Island Life”"