"Recreation", a dissection of American English

@ the moment in Austin Texas, I find the thing to do to escape the almost aquatically humid 100+ heat is to rock the rivers and natural springs in the area. The entrances to the mythical "green belt" are not quite as simple as the wardrobe, requiring a hike through more than a few layers of clothing to engage the faery-forested  wilderness environs. So like an RPG-character I engage personas in my environment, cue digitized Final Fantasy wandering music: "A) Hi, do you enjoy caffeinated oxygen? B) Where do I find the sceptre of eternity? C) Where's your preferred spot on the green belt? D) Does the dragon of the etherrealm respond to kisses?" When I select C "plink"  I often hear of the same, occasionally of the new. One gentleman told me of his favorite spot to "recreate", a word that came naturally to this late 30something lexicon, bringing me to the point.

Recreation. Re-creation. Why is such a diddy necessary? Destruction.

Actual American-English definition:

Refreshment of one's mind or body after work through activity that amuses or stimulates; play.

This word implies that the American perspective of work is phenomenally negative, in that it is so destructive to one's being that "re-creation" is necessary. Work such as this is unfortunate, and made all the more so by the negative framing applied to it by our language. It should be called "living", but that is apparently what "work" is to most in this nation. The development of exceptional skill to the point that one may rise above this requires talent, commitment, pride, and moreover, recognition and appreciation. Too few Americans are afforded this, but nonetheless, all Americans should be granted the capacity to work part-time and live full-time, but "recreation" implies just the opposite. When Americans may labor ninety hours each week at minimum-wage and still not catch the carrot, something should be noticed, and moreover must be done.