It's Not About Time!: Rediscovering Leisure in a Changing World

Karen Danielson, Ph.D., is a research consultant at Laurentian
University who specializes in leisure, textiles, family life, and Japan.

A wide variety of influences on leisure are described in this book. The
author discusses our expectations for increased leisure, outlines a
variety of definitions of leisure, analyzes some typical ways to assess
leisure experiences, and identifies constraints on leisure. He next
provides an analysis of social trends—namely money, work, crime,
education, technology, and government—that influence leisure. Finally,
he presents a strategy for “seamless living” that is based on
control of stress, living in the moment, and self-expression. This
integrated strategy requires that one overcome the perception that
resources and opportunities are diminishing; it also depends on the
individual’s ability to find creative outlets.

The key, according to Pavelka, is to set a course based on a personal
self-image. He describes leisure as an individualized pursuit but at the
same time acknowledges that people do things that bring rewards from
others. Thus, his strategy emphasizes finding a way to do what you enjoy
and be rewarded for it at the same time. While many people can achieve
such a balance by placing more emphasis on creative activities, or by
reducing commitments, this degree of choice may not be available to many
others.

The book provides a good survey of options for those who have choices.
Those who do not have the freedom to change their jobs, or who are
required to care for others, may not be able to do what they love to do
and be rewarded for it; for these individuals, some reinterpretation of
the principles may be required.