Leisure Hours.

So many women friends of mine have said that they never have a single spare moment to do what they really like—never a second to stretch lazily in the sun with a book, to “potter” happily about in the garden, to do a hundred little things which by their very triviality would mean rest and refreshment from the daily round.

It seems to me so absurd and so unfair to themselves that women should become slaves, often too willingly, to the household, to their children and the drudgery of the home. And it will be a drudgery if you do not seek some sort of relaxation. It is a duty to yourself to spend some time each day in doing something which is not really necessary, but which you enjoy. Nearly all men have their hobbies. After a weary day full of strain and worry, our brothers and husbands rest by doing something quite different—something demanding a fresh mental outlook and varied actions. Therefore, men are more tranquil as a rule, far calmer and more philosophical than we are. Because far too often, we are looking for something that “needs doing” in our few leisure hours. Perhaps there is mending to be done, not urgently needed—or a cake to make—or the children to be watched anxiously. Forget these things, if you can—every day for an hour or two, and you will return to them with fresh energy and delight. Otherwise there is a grave danger of losing interest in life and in yourself. Never forget that you are a person—that you are growing always and responding—and you must not lose your faculty of enjoyment. I have seen this happen hundreds of times among women who have too much to do—who would be frankly appalled were they to be given an hour of leisure.

If you want to be a companion to your children in all their adventures and activities, if you want to understand them and keep pace with their expanding lives—if you want to be a friend to your husband, to be able to discuss affairs with him apart from the purely domestic—if you want to be happy and young yourself—you must indulge in one or two leisure hours—hours of relaxation when you can read, walk, garden or develop one of your talents. “Have a hobby and happiness is yours.” Life is very swift and very restless and those “hours of idleness” will not be wasted.

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