HOBBIES AND OTHER RECREATION
Recreation-refreshment of the strength and spirit after
toil-is an extremely broad term. It covers physical activities which can be as
vigorous as one likes, on the one hand, and, on the other hand, quiet
activities Relaxation. It covers solitary activities and group activities.
It
covers. Cultural activities which can be considered creative and, for a while;
it also covers activities that some may consider trivial that any activity
which provides recreation cannot be dismissed as a utility. It is a common
observation among physicians that patients who have developed hobbies and
learned to enjoy recreational activities build to be healthier as well as
happier.
And there is nothing trivial about that, ideally, each
individual should have an indoor hobby and an outdoor one, both capable of
providing genuine satisfaction. Some people prefer 10 change hobbies every year
or two and even to relate their indoor and outdoor activities-so that, for
example, one year archery may be the outdoor hobby and Indian art the indoor
diversion, the next year the combination may be sailing and ship models.
Others
prefer to be casual, about choosing and staying with their hobbies. Hobbies
need not be expensive. Some, such as gardening and refinishing old furniture,
may be, in fact, more than pay for themselves.
In selecting hobbies, look for those you will really enjoy.
Don't be like a businessman who, years ago, because his doctor had advised
taking up a hobby, began to collect stamps. Dutifully he kept on collecting
them though for him it was a bore. It took many years for him to realize that
what he really wanted to do was to paint and that he had been mistaken in
thinking that painting would be no suitable hobby for a man in his position.
Today he belongs, with great enjoyment, to a growing group
of amateur "Sunday artists." Pick your hobby without regard to what
others like or dislike, without regard to what may be fashionable or to what
may seem to have some kind of "status." It should be something you
like and want to do, something interesting, satisfying, relaxing for you.
It is
worth noting here that adult education is increasingly popular. It provides for
some people opportunity to complete degree requirements. For others, it offers
opportunities for learning about hobbies and even for acquiring new knowledge
or skill for its own sake, as a hobby in itself.
Newspapers and magazines are full of advertisements and
notices of adult education courses in colleges and universities. Your local
public school board may also offer adult evening courses, ranging from arts and
crafts to languages, current events, science, philosophy, and psychology. One
of them is almost certain to appeal to you.
