A very wise person once said: ‘An idle mind is the devil’s workshop.’
Where I’m from, Cultural Values are Pivotal.
They’re pivotal at weddings.
They’re pivotal at funerals.
They’re pivotal at casual gatherings.
They’re even pivotal when interacting with a close relative.
Sometimes, they’re so important, their importance supersedes religious values.
And this happens more often than not.
One of these cultural values is putting the needs of others ahead of yours. Even if this means causing yourself harm.
Hey, don’t get me wrong. This is great (some might call it benevolence or kindness.)
But to the point where you’re causing yourself harm?
Really?
Growing up with this cultural value in mind, engaging in activities that are solely aimed at pleasing yourself is an anomaly.
It is considered abnormal.
Naturally, this means doing things like:
- reading novels
- playing video games
- collecting stamps/souvenirs/etc
- watching documentaries
- painting or drawing
- jogging/running/skipping rope/swimming/playing basketball
- etc
are absolutely useless.
They don’t raise your grades.
They certainly don’t please people around you.
They don’t add money to the household income.
Therefore, they are useless.
Note that hobbies do:
- provide challenges
- provide stress-relieving activities
- promote mental and physical health
- expose you to more people and more diverse situations
- prevent the creation of bad habits due to boredom
- improve self-esteem
- promote something called eustress which is the good kind of stress
Also: “…no hobby should either seek or need rational justification. To wish to do it is reason enough.” – Aldo Leopold
So the next time someone asks you how you manage to take time out to read a great book, or play Super Mario, you know what to say.
You are important.
So are your hobbies.
Don’t underestimate their power.
And don’t give them up!
