23.9.10

Thursday Thoughts: My Hobby Horse

"Today is life-the only life you are sure of. Make the most of today. Get interested in something. Shake yourself awake. Develop a hobby. Let the winds of enthusiasm sweep through you. Live today with gusto." Dale Carnegie
Beijing Performance Art Theater
ETYMOLOGY:
Did you know that the word Hobby is derived from the root word/shortening of the word - hobbyhorse?  A hobbyhorse is a very popular child's riding toy; it is made from a wooden stick with the shape of a horse's head on the front. If you had one as a child, you probably recall how much creativity went into playing with that wooden stick and all the wonderful places you visited in your imagination.

When I read RedHead Riter's prompt, she offers us a new weekly prompt for Tell The Truth Thursday, 
I was concerned that I might have little to do or write about as my interests have waxed and waned over the years. I went from being an avid gardener to barely watering our indoor plants and from modern jazz, Afro dance to no dance at all. Lately, I need more yoga not less... This is a wonderful contract for revisiting and renewing our hobbies and all those favorite little things that put a smile on our faces.


The question this week is:
Do you have a hobby?

According to Wikipedia and your dictionary, a hobby is an activity or interest that is undertaken for pleasure or relaxation, typically done during one's leisure time.  I like their definition because it reminds us that a hobby is enjoyable, relaxing and often not paid but can grow into a paid gig.  It could include any of the following categories below... Are any of the hobbies listed below one you still do or used to do?

* Collecting –coin collecting, art   * Games
* Outdoor recreation – walking, site-seeing  * Performing arts – dance, yoga
* Creative hobbies   * Scale modeling/dioramas
* Cooking    * Gardening outdoor/indoor
* Fish keeping * Reading- world texts


At different points in my life, I had a hobby or more on the list that made me smile. However, my hobby life has evolved over the years, has yours?  I collected coins as a child and teen, then added dance, hiking, cooking and museums as I got older. Some hobbies like reading, music and travel have been life long. Some might ask about my faith/prayer life, well, that is not a hobby but life itself.

Where and what do I fit in now? I would say that my love for world travel,  reading non-fiction and world literature and listening to relaxing music are three hobbies that I hold dear. As the challenges of life interfere with leisure time, I hold tightly to those three, travel, music and books, because I know my hobbies are as dear to me as life itself.

I could add yoga and meditation but I consider them a serious/important part of my lifestyle and not entirely a hobby. Now that is something to consider too... what we view as a casual hobby versus what we view as a lifestyle.  Either way, it is never too late to rekindle or start a new hobby so lets go for it. As the Buddha said, "Remember me as the One who woke up."  What about you and your hobbies?

How do you view your current hobbies? What would be the first hobby you'd respond to if your life changed with extra time on your hands? Have you made money from a hobby? I would love to hear from you: Please leave me a comment. Thank You!

PHOTO CREDITS:
Photos of Beijing Performance Arts Center by Lance McMillan,via NatGeo ~ courtesy of National Geographic
Photo of A Yoga Dancer via Judespic Flickr/Google Images

Photo of books
Photo of spiral stack book via Wikipedia



Until Next Time…
Ask. Believe. Receive. ©
Elizabeth Obih-Frank

14 comments:

  1. hobbies - we all used to have them and some still find time... but we must find time for things we enjoy.... or maybe we should look at our "jobs" as hobbies too - take them on with the type of carefree zeal we do when we are immersed in a hobby... me, i like to listen to jazz - and don't do it as much as i used to ... but when i do - and really allow myself to listen... i remember how much i enjoy it ... being around natural beauty as well... the ocean, mountains... can i connect to wifi in the woods... might move my office there!!

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  2. Happy to be your follower number 200!!!! congrats on hitting another mark!

    following you from fff.

    please drop by when you get a chance.

    cheers.

    Maria

    www.findoverstock.com
    wholesale finds and free product sourcing info

    ReplyDelete
  3. WOW.. I used to have quite a few hobbies.. might have even considered myself creative,... hahahaha I used to write, paint, sew, etc.. now?? I clean, cook, bathe gremlins, feed gremlins, etc.. lol.. I keep telling my DH i feel creatively constipated.. lol.. OH and don't get me started on how much i MISS reading.. lol.. (and goodnight moon and knuffle bunny DO NOT count, no matter HOW many times I've read them.. lol)

    ANYHOW.. Thank you so much for swinging by my blog.. and following.. I'm definitely digging the vibe here, and am your NEW follower..

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  4. Thanks so much for the follow! I'm now following you too...have a wonderful weekend!

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  5. My daughter love Yoga. Can't say that I've ever tried it. Perhaps I should!

    New follower from FFF. Would love a follow back!

    Ruthie Joyce

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  6. Hi im your newest follower from Fridays Blog Hop, come on by and follow back:).
    Naomi
    Na-miart.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  7. Hello! Following you from Saturday Stalk blog hop!

    When visting my blog, please enter my Jarritos soda giveaway for a chance to win a case of delish sodas!

    www.couponmamacita.com

    ReplyDelete
  8. I am following you back! Thanks for the follow.

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  9. Hi Elizabeth,

    First off, the Beijing Performance Art Theater is awesome. I would love to visit there. So traveling is one of my many hobbies. I also love, love, love playing volleyball. Another hobby I am hoping will grow into a business is in the creative arts area - designing, creating, etc. Please check out my website and have a look. Oh, and be sure to enter the Autumn giveaway on my newest blog. Enjoy your weekend.

    www.remakingmemories.com

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  10. From the Blog Swap :) http://www.athomemoma.com

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  11. I am definitely a lover of yoga. This post really reminded me how I should start doing it again. My other top hobby is blogging though too. :)

    I wanted to also thank you for linking up to my very first Friend Finding Friday blog hop. I am happy to follow you back.

    ~Supermom

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  12. I can remember when I used to have a hobby....that was until my Hubs retired.

    I am late, but I am following from Follow Friday Over 40. I would appreciate it if you could stop over and follow me back.
    http://myjourneywithcandida.blogspot.com

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  13. Hey! I'm new on the Blog Hop! Just wanted to let you know that I'm following you now! Check out mine?

    www.helloglamour21.blogspot.com

    Thanks!
    XOXO -Kia

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  14. Ciao Elizabeth, I just wanted to thank you for stopping by for several weeks and linking up your posts to my Fresh Friday/Seasonal Saturday blog hops. I enjoyed your post from last week so much that i featured it this week as one that I believed is most inspirational for enhancing our lives here on our planet. I hope that you stop by and visit again. Roz

    ReplyDelete

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