The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1922-07-26
PLAY

- VERY Christian will admit that Gods chief
II purpose in placing upon this earth was
- the glorifcation Of Himself thru humanity S
mind, heart and hand The admission of this fact
precludes acceptance of the theory that the chief
end of mans existence is play and fun. And yet
there are those who work for the chief purpose
of getting the wherewithal necessary to lead a
butterfly existence.
Altho work is the big means of heart ex-
preston in clarifying God, for example, by max
ing the world better place in which to live, yet
play or recreation forms very essential part of
mans existence for without it, man can not do
his best work.
The man who does nothing but work at his
own little job week in and week out can not help
but eventually getting distorted view of other
values in life. He may become very proficient IN
his line, and yet even here he frequently defeats
his own purpose; for if individual applies
himself constantly to the solution OF one type OF
problems without much thinking along other
lines the reflex action not infrequently comes that
he finds himself unable to hold his mind to his
very own tasks to the exclusion OF all else. The
individual on the other hand who goes out OF his
own business cares to partake in some diversion,
f. ex such as any of the sports as baseball, tennis,
golf etc. calls into use other cells and muscles
with the result that upon return to work, he finds
himself better able to concentrate. He goes
back to his work refreshed and invigorated to con-
tend with his own particular problems in life.
Play or recreation is far more necessary in
our day than it was in the past when business
was carried on at the ox-cart speed certainly
not faster than the horse trot. All the industrial
IL, 4o1o orr
have caused us to live and to work at terrific
pace. 1t is sometimes too fast for the average
nervous system, as such proverbial expressions as
the "tired business man with jaded nerves" will
attest. Into the business relations of day so
many factors for consideration enter which tend
to create this tension. Unless the modern in
dulges in some pastime with an occasional vaca-
ton thrown in for good measure, he is often gull
ty of asking his nervous system to carry bigger
load than that for which it was designed.
However, this play need not always be of the
type of empty fun to furnish the relaxation re-
quired. Frequently reading, planning with fri
ends the solution of some civic problem, promot-
ing companionship within ones own family, or the
following of some hobby may furnish just the re-
creation needed. But in whatever form it is taken
play is very necessary to the performance of ones
best work.
Furthermore, aside from the necessity of
diversion, it is during those times that we learn
to really know men and make friends of them.
There is usually something cold and mercenary
about the purely business friendship; but in the
friendships cultivated during ones leisure mo-
ments, there is the warm touch Of real human
fellowship. Just by way of illustration, two fam
lilies who have been on an enjoyable camping trip
together have closer bond Of real human interest
and pleasant recollections associated Herewith
than those same two families would by coming in
contact simply in business way. During the
hours divorced from regular work, Interior mo-
tives are much more apt to be absent. 1t is then