Hobbies are great to expand your life beyond the realm of a sometimes crazy world.
Sometimes the world around us seems to be spinning out of control, particularly with the dismissal of so many social norms and frequent social meltdowns being seen in public. We Americans need an outlet other than the boob tube to escape into our space during some of our personal time and just do something we enjoy for ourselves. Avocations, or hobbies, are a perfect outlet for busy people, a set aside of time where businessmen and women, workers of all types, even stay at home mothers and even those no longer in the active workfrorce can display their talents in an endeavor that gives them relief from the tedium or the stresses and strains of modern life. It can be almost anything, maybe some of those in the visual above (music, painting, sewing and writing) to athletic activities or home woodworking or whatever strikes our fancy. And for those or us who are retired and sometimes with time on our hands, it provides relief from inactivity and keeps the mind and body active to both enrich and improve life.
My own experience shows just how things change as we get older. From my late twenties to my early forties, my favorite pastime was exercise in the form of distance running. I never competed in the real long stuff, but I loved 5 and 10Ks wherever I lived. I would train by running longer distances, usually eight or nine miles after work, setting up courses along the water, through wooded areas and anywhere the scenery was enjoyable. I'd plug in a little headset and listen to the tunes as I ran, taking my mind off the cares of the world at least for a time. But, alas, when I neared the ripe old age of forty-five, I started having some orthopedic problems so I had to slow down and walk instead as long as I could find the right footing.
From running and power walking the hobby switched gears and moved to the care and enjoyment of animals. Being married to my wife, Charyl, who I call affectionately both "Doctor Dolittle" and "The Horse Lady," a woman who is amazing with animals and loves all kinds, it became a natural. After all, animals are an important part of her life. Now, I always had pets, but the exposure I've received and the things I've learned are awesome and without her I would have never experienced the joy of walking into a barn in the beautiful early morning hours of the day and listening, watching and enjoying nature in many different forms that are truly amazing.
When I retired a few years back, I looked at my future and knew I needed something added as well. My work with animals had, at that point, been accomplished in my spare time after my day at work was done. I looked forward and knew I needed more to fill my days and keep me motivated to also keep my mind very active. So, I chose writing, starting with this web page and blog site, to make me write regularly. I always wanted to write, but in my working years always made excuses about there not enough time being in the day. So, I took an extensive writing course and from this blog I soon moved on to write my first book. Now, years have passed, my writing has improved significantly and the process of writing has gone from being tedious to a joy and I know I should have started a long time ago.
Each of us are different, we each have our hopes and dreams, but there's one thing I know for sure. Choosing an avocation, something we do for ourselves in our own free time adds satisfaction, turns boredom into productivity and definitely adds to the quality of life. So, let's get up and get busy and do something that challenges the mind and/or body. Dump the excuses and just do it. We all have a whole lot of living left to do. Make the most of it.
My own experience shows just how things change as we get older. From my late twenties to my early forties, my favorite pastime was exercise in the form of distance running. I never competed in the real long stuff, but I loved 5 and 10Ks wherever I lived. I would train by running longer distances, usually eight or nine miles after work, setting up courses along the water, through wooded areas and anywhere the scenery was enjoyable. I'd plug in a little headset and listen to the tunes as I ran, taking my mind off the cares of the world at least for a time. But, alas, when I neared the ripe old age of forty-five, I started having some orthopedic problems so I had to slow down and walk instead as long as I could find the right footing.
From running and power walking the hobby switched gears and moved to the care and enjoyment of animals. Being married to my wife, Charyl, who I call affectionately both "Doctor Dolittle" and "The Horse Lady," a woman who is amazing with animals and loves all kinds, it became a natural. After all, animals are an important part of her life. Now, I always had pets, but the exposure I've received and the things I've learned are awesome and without her I would have never experienced the joy of walking into a barn in the beautiful early morning hours of the day and listening, watching and enjoying nature in many different forms that are truly amazing.
When I retired a few years back, I looked at my future and knew I needed something added as well. My work with animals had, at that point, been accomplished in my spare time after my day at work was done. I looked forward and knew I needed more to fill my days and keep me motivated to also keep my mind very active. So, I chose writing, starting with this web page and blog site, to make me write regularly. I always wanted to write, but in my working years always made excuses about there not enough time being in the day. So, I took an extensive writing course and from this blog I soon moved on to write my first book. Now, years have passed, my writing has improved significantly and the process of writing has gone from being tedious to a joy and I know I should have started a long time ago.
Each of us are different, we each have our hopes and dreams, but there's one thing I know for sure. Choosing an avocation, something we do for ourselves in our own free time adds satisfaction, turns boredom into productivity and definitely adds to the quality of life. So, let's get up and get busy and do something that challenges the mind and/or body. Dump the excuses and just do it. We all have a whole lot of living left to do. Make the most of it.
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