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The importance of hobbies

When I was a kid I could never understand how my friends and peers would get bored during the long hot summer holidays.

While they were hanging around trying to think of things to do, I was constantly immersed in a world of excitement and discovery.

As I grew up I still had no such thing as "spare time". When I wasn't working, I was engaged in my hobbies, having fun and learning at the same time.

Now, as I approach an age when most folk are thinking of giving up work and spending their days in a more relaxed way, I'm still working hard at my interests and hobbies -- which, if research is to be believed, is a very good thing.

There is plenty of evidence to suggest that if you don't have a hobby then there is often not much separation between retirement and death.

Hobbies keep your brain and body active and they keep you young.

This causes me to worry about those who have never had a real hobby and the fact that so few kids these days seem to be passionate about any particular leisuretime activity.

These days, during the school holidays it's not uncommon to see groups of kids just roaming the streets -- looking bored and at a loss for something to do. Poor buggers, it's no wonder they end up getting into trouble.

In far to many cases, our modern lifestyle -- where both mother and father have to work full-time jobs to make the mortgage payments, means that there's little time left to get kids interested in activities that could become life-long passions.

Or have we made it too easy for kids to while away the time engaged in things (like video games) that may be an interest but don't really qualify as a true hobby?

So what is the definition of a hobby?

Well the dictionary says that it is "an activity done regularly in one's leisure time for pleasure" but that isn't the type of hobby I'm talking about.

I'm talking about an interest that expands your horizons of knowledge and association. An interest that becomes a passion. An interest that educates and informs as well as entertaining.

These are the type of hobbies that we ought to be encouraging in our kids.

Ham radio used to be such a hobby -- requiring its devotees to learn about electronics, build their own equipment and then use it to stretch their network of friends and contacts far beyond the constraints normally imposed by geography.

Model aircraft is in the same basket, involving an understanding of basic aerodynamics, the theory of flight and a good degree of physical dexterity and skills learned only from experience.

But the big thing about a real hobby is that those engaged in it can point to something and say "I did/built/designed that". Being able to point to a tangible record of your achievements is good for self-esteem and creates a desire to try even harder.

Tenacity, a desire to learn, self-discipline, a willingness to help others and the quest for achievement are all attributes that we could do with more of in today's society. They are also all attributes that real hobbies cultivate within individuals.

I wonder if NZ ought to have a national "hobby month" -- four weeks when those who enjoy their hobbies set aside time to actively promote those activities to others. I'm pretty certain that those kids who discover a hobby are far less likely to get themselves into trouble and those of retirement age who "get the passion" will live longer and healthier lives as a result.

Could a national hobby month pay huge dividends to our society?

Tell us about your hobbies and passions. Let others know about how they have made positive contributions to your life.

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