Thursday, August 13, 2009

Importance of Hobbies

Though I had professed the goodness of boredom in a recent article, I was wise enough to add a necessary qualification of rareness to it. Rare boredom is helpful; if you frequently find yourself dying of boredom for the lack of other options, read on.

I felt the urge to write this article because I feel lucky than ever to have hobbies that I am passionate about. One fine morning I found myself in a new part of the world amid new faces, and totally unprepared. Not having a conventional regular office job might be viewed by some as a disadvantage; the same has proved bliss for me.

How many of us can claim that we return reenergized and revitalized after a busy day at work? Not every hobby can earn a living, and we are compelled to seek careers that give us headaches as each day ends but loads of moolah as the month ends. Jobs that leave no time for hobbies are themselves strong reasons to have hobbies and to take time to indulge in them.

Ever wondered why CVs require you to mention your hobbies? What has a software company to do with my hobbies? I had not realized until recently. Hobbies bring out hidden talents in us which we might not realize. Experts say that having hobbies keeps us focused and improves our concentration. Hobbies boost our self esteem and confidence and bring out the leader in us. Indulging in group activities with fellow hobbyists teaches us the rules of working in a team. Religiously following a hobby imparts us singular knowledge in the field and with it comes a sense of achievement.

Healthy Mind, Healthy Body: The mind, body and the soul are in total synchronization while pursuing hobby. Pursuing a hobby stimulates parts of the brain related with creativity and positive thinking. When a hobbyist passionately pursues a hobby, it is the emotional returns that are valued rather than the monetary returns. Keeping oneself busy in hobbies leaves no time for wayward thinking and helps channel our energies toward constructive activities.

All of us are passionate about at least one thing that gets the blood gushing through our veins. Passions can be as trivial as collecting stationery and as demanding as social services, each is a source of energy and ecstasy for the hobbyist.

Passions and hobbies can become a source of income too. You will find demand for almost anything that you can supply – goods as well as services. If money is what drives you, let it drive you toward your passion. As for me, money spoils the fun attached to hobbies and I prefer to keep it out of my way.

With the kind of sedentary lifestyles that most of us live, hobbies can save us from sluggish minds by allowing imagination to flow. Of course, creativity cannot be forced and is not constant; there are ways to enhance it. And, as with everything else, age is no bar here.

Have hobbies? Keep them.

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