The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1920-07-08
PLAY.

one OF the most important. as I; Is
one Of the hardest. lessons for the
I busy man to learn Is 10 play. IAN
work and 90 play makes Jack a duh
boy" More men have been killed by
the negative influence OF lack Of play
than by the positive effect Of exees-
sive work or an things. the busy
man should give up the senseless and
wearing habit OF revolving 10 his mind
10 the evening and during his spare
time. the matters which have occu-
pied him during the day. A certain
brand 81 tobacco used 20 be adyer-
Used with the eplgrammatic advice.
'If smoking such and such tobacco In
terferes with your business. quit your
business" or course. the adnonitlon
Is absurdly oyerdrawn. but II has
grain of sound philosophy in Il. too.
which IS that II Is just as important
that business should not be allowed
20 interfere with play as that play
should not be allowed 20 interfere
with business.
Play Is form Of rest II properly
INDUCED. If improperly INDUCED Il
becomes labor. poisonous exertlon.
drudgery. doing harm rather than
good. II Is as bad for the body or
any Of its members 10 be overstrained
ia play as In work. and In the excite
ment or rivalry Of play the line OF
a. -. fu
jury IS very often overleaped. The
basic definition OF play is. ITO engage
ia some exercise for the sake OF
amusement" Here the word would
seem TO mean what II does not mean.
for amusement" is that which amuses
or pleasurably engages the mind. SO
play" las come 10 mean many differ
ent things, from music 90 gambling.
Whenever, however. In any amuse-
ment YOU are interested chiefly In
some advantage 10 be won, you have
passed from the amusement OF play
10 the amusement OF work. In play
Ing IL Is not necessary that II be pur-
poseful. One should let himself go"
now and then and just frolic. All
that is necessary to learn about play
Is 10 understand that all play is good
IL INDUCED In moderation and at rea.
sonable times. Work. play. rest,
should balance. Rowing, running.
golf, tennis, all sports that will take
us where there is good air and sun
shine. and force us TO exert our bodies |
TO the point of taking deep breaths |
are beneficial. Indoors, light reading |
when the mind is weary. card playing
and other frivolous amusements are
sometimes good. The all-important |
requisite is to maintain a playfulness |
of spirit which Is quite independent |
of external aids.
You can learn even TO have fun
with yourself letting your imagina-
ton play all kinds OF pranks. Play is
recreation. refreshing and tightening |
the monOtony OF life. Change OF |
work Is not recreation enough for the
intense worker of today. The mind
and will must be emptied of all Sc
robustness and purpose. and relaxation
should be sought In romp and frolic. |
The place and inspiration OF a
mans play should be. par excellence.
his home. although sometimes It Is
better 10 get utterly away from your
family and all familiar things and peo-
pie. to play alone or with new-made
friends or comparative strangers.
Home. however. should represent to
q man the highest type OF play-the
and relaxing Of his facul-
ties In frank and loving soclabiIity. |
And II is this element In his life. /
typified by his home. and for the |
most part afforded by his home. that
urge upon my readers and patients
10 deliberately cultivate. thus adding 1
many years to their physical life and
untold blessings TO their minds and H
hearts. LEARN HOW TO LIVE.
The deepest-rooted cause OF disease
Is that overworking OF the brain and
OF the nervous system.
which are the necessary consequences
Of their intense activity. Hence.
nervous .prostration. nervous dyspep-
STA. consumption. Bright's disease. and
other maladies. In
word. the American often works him
self TO death.
Play is the great harmonlzer Of the
human faculties over-strained and
made harmonious by labor. II is the
agency that keeps alive and In healthy
activity the faculties and sympathies
which work falls 20 use or helps