This is a guest post by Melissa Cameron.

Let me begin by explaining why we all need hobbies.

Too many people assume that hobbies are for folks with too much time on their hands.

Nothing could be further from the truth, though. The famous actress and comedienne Lilly Tomlin gave us some good advice when she said, “For fast acting relief, try slowing down.” The fact is, the busier we are, the more we need a way to relax and refresh ourselves, and the best way to do that is to get a hobby.

Finding a Hobby

A hobby is something that engages your brain, preferably involves your body, and has no object beyond your own enjoyment. Hobbies usually involve collecting, crafting, or some kind of sport, although some folks consider certain types of research or experimentation as a hobby.

Some people are lucky enough to have shared a hobby with a parent or other relative while growing up, and in that event they can be said to have had their hobbies given to them. Other folks stumble upon new hobbies at county fairs or friend’s houses.

Then there are people like me, who realize that we need a hobby, but aren’t sure how to find a good one. I guess the difficulty here comes from having to define a “good” hobby for my situation.

Setting Priorities for Choosing a Hobby

After a little thought and a lot of discussion with my long-suffering husband, I decided that a “good” hobby for me would have to meet three criteria;

• It would have to be affordable
• It would have to be convenient – something I can do at home
• It should not have deadlines or inflexible schedules that will interfere with my family time

Of course, any new hobbies I consider should also be interesting enough that I would stick with them, so with these priorities in place, I was able to narrow my choices down to three; scrapbooking, gardening and playing the piano.

Considering My Hobby Options

I already know that I like scrapbooking because I’ve had some experience with it. Having put together a few family books, I am aware of the advantages of this pastime;

• it’s a relaxing activity which will also result in my big box of photos being organized
• it’s relatively easy to do, and if I keep the materials properly stored, it won’t take up much space
• I get to decide how much to spend on my materials, and I can make up for a paucity of pennies with a profusion of panache.

I don’t have much experience with gardening, but I have plenty with yard work. I’ll assume that gardening is much more interesting than mowing or raking, and I anticipate other advantages to gardening, as well;

• It will be a great reason to be out in the fresh air and sunshine
• I’ll be able to decide whether my plants will require a lot of nurturing or just a little water
• I could either save money by growing plants from seed or I could choose to have fun while shopping for plants at my local nursery.

Piano playing seems the most problematic of these hobbies, but I think I’ve found a way to simplify it.

You see, I tried to learn the piano in high school, but soon gave up. Not because I disliked the instrument, mind you, but because the process of learning it was so troublesome. I seemed to be constantly rearranging my schedule to accommodate lessons, practices and recitals.

Fortunately, I now have an option that simply didn’t exist when I was in high school; I can now learn to play the piano online. This option offers me several benefits what might make this a “good” hobby for me;

• I’ll be able to make the lessons and practices fit my schedule, not the other way around.
• I’ll be able to work at my own pace, and decide how far I want to take this talent
• I could either learn piano sheet music by rote or learn piano chords and playing “by ear”.
• I’ll be able to decide when and if I perform, so there’ll be no scheduled recitals to worry about

Perhaps if these options had been available when I was in high school, I would now know how to play the piano properly.

Choosing My New Hobbies

After much analyzing, the obvious has finally occurred to me; I’ve been over-thinking this whole process. Why is it so important to find one “perfect” hobby, or even a “good“ one? I could have three hobbies as easily as one, so long as I don’t attempt to do each of them every day.

For instance, gardening is a warm-weather hobby, while scrapbooking can be saved for the cold, wet days when going outside is not fun. Once I’ve actually learned the piano, I won’t be playing it every day, or even every week. It will just be a nice skill to have when we have company over or when I just feel like playing it.

So, if you’re compiling a list of hobby tips, you may want to add the idea that if you can’t find the perfect hobby for yourself, the answer may be to find two or three hobbies instead. It’s nice to have options, isn’t it?

Do you have a hobby that you might recommend to other readers? Do you have an interesting story about how you picked up that particular hobby? I’d love to read your responses!

About the Author Melissa Cameron is a busy wife, mother and freelance writer who prefers to research complicated topics and simplify them for the average reader. She makes her home in Austin, Texas with her husband and two daughters.

Photo: Copyright PhotoXpress.com

When was the last time you truly enjoyed a day at the park?

John Lennon once said, “Time you enjoy wasting, was not wasted.”  I think we can learn a lot from this statement.

We all need a little time to recuperate.  We probably need more than we take.  Therefore, it is imperative that when you do spend a day at the park that you maximize your enjoyment of it and I’m here to help you with that today.  I’m going to suggest some ways that you can truly keep your day at the park from being wasted.

Enjoying a Day at the Park

I was fortunate enough to spend an absolutely gorgeous day at the park yesterday.  It was amazing.  The sky was blue.  The birds were out and I thoroughly enjoyed relaxing under a shade tree.  A gentle warm breeze blew over my skin and lulled me into a totally serene state of mind.  I always walk away from such an outing feeling so much better than when I arrived. 

The entire experience was inspiring.  It made me want to write this article because I know there are others of you out there that need a day like the one I had yesterday.  You need to get away for an hour or two and rejuvenate your mind and soul.  Well, I’d suggest heading to your local park.  It is a great way to “get away from it all” despite the fact you are only a few blocks from work and home.

What you take on your trip to the park can really make it or break it.  Therefore, I’ve divided my list up into what to take and what to leave behind.

What to Take on Your Day at the Park

Here are some things that will add to the value of the day you spend recuperating at the park:

1.  A Comfortable Lawn Chair

A comfortable lawn chair is absolutely essential to bring to the park.  I guess you could substitute a blanket, but I personally prefer a chair.  You want something light and easy to carry, but still comfortable enough that you can really relax in it.  One of my other requirements is that the chair must have a footrest.  There’s just something about kicking back at the park with your feet up that really puts me at ease with the world.

2.  Your Favorite Drink

You want to be prepared to stay awhile once you get to the park and having your favorite drink by your side makes this possible.  I can go hot or cold here depending on the season and my mood.  The key is to bring along something soothing and enjoyable.  I might stop by a Starbucks and pick up a mocha latte or go to one of my other favorite places for a sweet iced tea.  Either of these will keep my taste buds happy while I take a much needed breather.

3.  Some Good Reading Material

Don’t forget your favorite book or magazine when you are preparing for your day at the park.  There is nothing that helps me to forget my troubles better than something good to read.  A good story can transport you to a whole other place mentally.  These mental breaks can do wonders for you mood and outlook on life.  The combination of an inspiring tale and the great outdoors is always a welcome retreat for me.

4.  Your Family

You can never go wrong by surrounding yourself with the people you love.  It always gives me a rush of happiness when I watch my kids thoroughly taking pleasure in exploring our local park.  A day out at the park for them is like a rainforest adventure.  Their imaginations and uninhibited playfulness are inspiring and restorative.  So, hug your honey up tight, grab your little ones and head out for a day of fun, frolic and fantasy at the park.

5.  A Good Pair of Sunglasses

There are many uses for a good pair of sunglasses at the park.  Of course, they guard your eyes from the bright sunlight making them a necessary aid for getting a quick power nap.  However, they also help me in one of my favorite pastimes at the park which is people-watching.  I love drinking in all that is going on at the park.  There are families playing, joggers jogging, dogs walking, men fishing, squirrels scampering, lovers smooching and cars cruising.  My sunglasses help me to monitor all this without being too conspicuous.

What to Leave Behind on Your Day at the Park

As important as what to take is what to leave behind.  Here is what I suggest you ditch on your way to the park:

1.  Your Mobile Electronics

Leave your phone, iPad and laptop back at the house.  These things will only tempt you to check in on the very things that you need a few hours away from.  Trust me, nothing is going to crash before you get back.  The world will still be there.  In society today, it seems we are always tethered to our mobile devices.  These gadgets are great conveniences, but they can also be a huge burden.  Do this as a test run, get away from yours for a few hours just to see how it feels.  Once you do, I think you’ll agree that leaving them behind once in awhile is a good thing.

2.  Your Worries

I know this seems easier said than done, but when you head out to the park, try to leave your worries behind for just a bit.  Let the beauty and serenity of nature envelop you and whisk you mentally away from the things that trouble you.  A clear mind can really help you gain a new perspective and see that worry really gets you nowhere.  Most of the time, the things we worry about never even happen so why lug such weight around with you anyway?  Instead, leave your worries behind while you soak in the good vibes at the park.

3.  The Newspaper

The newspaper is not the kind of reading material you should bring along to the park.  It is full of the negative, depressing things that wears on your mind and soul.  I suppose the sports page might be okay, but other than that, I’d highly suggest picking up something else to peruse while you are at the park.  If you have to, stop by your public library on the way and check out a book off the latest bestseller list.  Anything is better than reading most newspapers.

4.  Clutter

You really don’t need much to enjoy your day at the park.  There is no need to pack up everything just short of the kitchen sink before you head out.  I see people that burden themselves this way all the time with so much crap that there is no way they can really enjoy their time.  They bring too much to carry and take care of despite the fact they are supposed to be relaxing.  Leave the clutter behind!  Everyone can get by for a bit without a lot of extra stuff.  The idea is to get away from it all.  Bring a few select items, but leave the rest of the clutter at home.  Keep it simple.

5.  Noise

Our world is noisy enough.  I suggest leaving everything that produces sound at home when you go to the park.  For some, a little relaxing music on the iPod might work, but for the most part, I’d even recommend against this.  Your ears and mind could use the break from constant man-made, audio input.  Why not just take in the sounds of the birds chirping and leaves rustling?  These tranquilizing tones will add to your experience instead of taking away from it. 

A Day at the Park Is Not Wasted

Any activity that is truly recreation for your mind, body and soul is certainly not wasted time.  If you plan your day at the park properly, by taking things that add to the experience and leaving behind the rest, then you will not waste a moment.  I can’t wait for my next opportunity to spend a day at the park.

What did I forget in my lists above?  How do you maximize your experience?  Share your thoughts in the comments on this article so we can all benefit.

Photo: Copyright PhotoXpress.com

School is out and summer vacation is upon us.  So, now that it is here, what do you do with the kids?  Gas prices are officially averaging over $4.00 per gallon and it seems that the cost of everything has gone up.  As a result, you may be looking for less expensive forms of entertainment.  A few weeks ago, I wrote an article about staycations as an alternative to traveling this summer, but what options exist for keeping your children from driving you crazy on a day-to-day basis over summer vacation?

The old-fashioned way of thinking about summer.

At my house, we have decided to have an old-fashioned summer vacation.  What does this mean?  Well, it is really more of a mindset than anything.  We are choosing to slow down and enjoy the simpler things in life.  We want to teach our kids to savor the good things.  We hope they’ll learn that shopping at the mall is not recreation.  Besides, it isn’t usually the expensive or luxury items that make us happy anyway.  It is the simple things.  Its things like:

1. Buying a snow cone on a hot summer day
2. Eating ice-cold watermelon outside where you can spit the seeds on the ground
3. Getting a treat from the ice cream truck as it passes through your neighborhood
4. Running through the sprinkler in the backyard screaming all the way
5. Spending a whole day swimming at the local lake
6. Having a picnic in the shade at your favorite park as a family
7. Playing in the rain and splashing in the puddles
8. Buying fresh peaches at a farmer’s market and eating them right away
9. Having a sleepover with your best friend where you try to stay up all night
10. Seeing who can blow the biggest bubble gum bubble
11. Laying on the ground and watching the clouds pass over
12. Going to a Little League baseball game and listening to all the sounds
13. Riding bikes on the trail alongside the river
14. Going for a lazy walk in the evening after it cools down
15. Pouring sand over your feet to cover them up in the sandbox
16. Making mudpies with sticks and leaves and grass for garnishments
17. Setting up a tent and camping in the backyard
18. Going swimming in a creek where the water is ice cold
19. Learning to ride your bike with your dad’s help
20. Going to grandma’s house where everything is better
21. Playing a board game in the air-conditioned house
22. Going fishing at the pond
23. Playing fetch with the best dog you’ll ever have
24. Hunting crawdads to see who can catch the biggest one
25. Playing hide-and-seek or kick-the-can outside

Make your summer vacation more fun the old-fashion way.

Don’t get caught up in the crazy way that others spend their summer.  Many rush from one activity to another without ever really soaking up the real pleasures of summer.  Try a few of the things from the list above without feeling the need to hurry to the next thing.  Your kids will thank you for it!

Photos by magnusfranklin and Nagyman