I often think about what I would rather be doing in my leisure time while I am doing the things I must do. Therefore, when I actually get some free time, I usually end up stressing about what I should be doing.
It’s an endless cycle with me.
When I have free time, I don’t think of it as “leisure time.” In my generation, we were raised in an environment where the concept of “leisure” felt unreal, almost like a fantasy. So, when we unexpectedly found ourselves with some free time, we were so surprised that we often ended up wasting most of it—much like a game show contestant who is so excited about winning money that they miss the question and lose the game.
In the Marines, when our platoon completed a task, we tried to relax a bit and bask in our accomplishments – until the platoon sergeant approached and wanted to know why we were all standing around. When we told him we were finished with the task he gave us, his question was usually, “Great, so you couldn’t think of anything else you could be doing?”
Sure, I could give you a list of what I would do in my “leisure time,” and at the top of the list would be sitting in my favorite chair out back with a cup of coffee just watching the birds. But the reason I don’t often indulge is that I would most likely spend the time thinking of the things I haven’t finished. And, oh yeah, there is the infamous Honey Do List.
All said and done, there are times when I accidentally lose the honey-do list (don’t tell my wife) and wander out back for some real leisure time.
Mark Way Up 
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