My  Hobby

My hobby is reading. I read story books, magazines, newspapers and any kind of material that I find interesting. This hobby got started when I was a little boy. I had always wanted my parents to read fairy tales and other stories to me. Soon they got fed up and tired of having to read to me continually. So as soon as I could, I learned to read. I started with simple ABC books. Soon I could read simple fairy tales and other stories. Now I read just about anything that is available. Reading enables me to learn about so many things that I would otherwise not know. I learned about how people lived in bygone days of magic and mystery. I learned about the wonders of the world, space travel, human achievements, gigantic whales, tiny viruses and other fascinating things of our world. The wonderful thing about reading is that I do not have to learn things the hard way. For example, I do not have to catch a disease to know that it can kill me. I know the danger so I can avoid it. Also I do not have to go deep into the jungle to learn about the tiger. I can read all about it in a book. Books provide the reader with so much information and facts. They have certainly helped me in my daily life. I am better equipped to cope with living. Otherwise I would go about ignorantly learning things the hard way. So I continue to read. Besides being more informed about the world, I also spend my time profitably. It is indeed a good hobby.

bygone   happening in a past time       cope with   to deal successfully with a difficult situation       informed having a lot of knowledge

A few months ago, before teaching a lesson, I heard a a six year old boy teasing his sister, “Riding isn’t a sport- the horse does all the work!”  I very calmly corrected him, in defense of his sister and myself.  His mother responded, “He’s only teasing his sister.”
For over 20 years, I have been defending my SPORT.  I have been teased, not only by my own brothers, but by gym teachers and other “sports” or “athletic” people.  Many people classify riding as a hobby, where the horse does “all of the work” and the rider is “just along for the ride.”
I guess, for some people riding can be a hobby.  I have never looked at my sport that way, but for argument’s sake, I will try.  There are plenty of people in the horse world that are much more casual than I am.  (A nice way of saying that I am incredibly intense.)  Even at show barns, there are people that breeze in once or twice a month, putter around grooming, and perhaps take a lesson if the weather is nice.  For those people, riding is just one of the many things that they do.  I have met many people that just want to enjoy time with their horse, do some work in their lesson or on the trail, and get a little better each time they ride.  (I would like to be very clear- if this is the type of rider that you are, the more power to you.  I know you truly enjoy your rides and your horses and I do love seeing you around the barn.  As a super intense person, I need to learn from you and remember that I am in the horse world because I enjoy it and it is fun- sometimes, I forget that.)
Some people prefer horsemanship to riding.  (I cannot stress the importance of horsemanship!) They prefer to come see their horse everyday, groom, care for, and pamper their animal.  I do know people who LOVE and prefer ground work with their horses.  There are also people that prefer to be spectators; they love to audit clinics, watch horse shows, or even hang around the barn and watch lessons.
Okay, so for some people, this might just be a hobby. (Maybe.)
On the other hand, there are many people that treat riding as a sport.  I am one of those people.  The horse, for me, certainly does not “do all the work” – quite the opposite, in fact.  I am an athlete.  At 1/10 (or less) of the weight of the horse, it is up to my body to control this animal that will eventually become my partner, my teammate.
For those that don’t think riding is a sport, I ask: how does a horse know what to do when you ride it? Magic?  As some one who has been the first person on a few horses, I can tell you, it is not magic.  It’s strength and skill.  It is knowing where exactly to put you left calf muscle, while knowing what to do with your right pinky.  It is having control over every single muscle in your body and knowing what to without watching your body work.  (We all know what happens if you look down!)
The statement I often hear is, “Okay, well riding is a physical activity, but what about competition?  You can’t have a sport without competition!”  I am no stranger to “typical” sports.  My family boasts college and semi pro athletes in baseball and football, my grandfather is even a Major League Baseball Scout.  I have been involved in “typical” competition from a young age.  Horse shows are more competitive than any other sport I have played or watched.  Our athletes put tremendous mental pressure on themselves and their competitors.  Riders and horses push themselves to their physical limits.  Blood, sweat and tears?  You will certainly find all of those at a horse show.  Under a seemingly cool and calm demeanor, you find men and women that expect nothing less than a perfect performance from their horse and rider team.
So, what is left to prove?  Riding’s physical difficulty?  Take a lesson with me, and of course your upper thigh will hurt, but your abs will hurt for days.  Try to lift up a horse, set him on his haunch, keep him straight – only using your legs, and then squeeze the dickens out of him to try to get him over a jump.  Ask professional equestrians about their injuries; the list will be too long for most people to remember.So if riding is not your hobby, if riding is your sport and some one makes fun of you: Smile.  Remember, you are an athlete.  You have a coach.  You have a teammate.  You sweat, you work, and you have a game day strategy.  You wear a helmet for a reason.  Then, ask them if you can have a piggy back ride… and try not to break their ribs.

Do I need a hobby?

The phrase 'I need a hobby' is searched over 8,000 times on Google every month. While some people are lucky enough to already have a natural interest, most of us continue to search for that ideal hobby well into adulthood.
Some of the most common reasons people feel they need a hobby include:

• Boredom - The everyday routine can get monotonous if you fail to make time for fun and diversity. Often, people decide they need a hobby because they're simply bored of life and want something new to open doors and spice things up.
  
• Inadequacy - It's not unusual to feel inadequate when you see other people fill their lives with extra-curricular activities.
  
• Personal development - It's good to feel like you're progressing towards something in life. Many people take up hobbies to learn new skills and build on their strengths.
  
• Meet new people - Moving to a new place, experiencing a massive break-up/loss, or simply wanting to make new friends are all reasons people feel they should start a hobby. 

Benefits of having a hobby

Hobbies are limitless in their ability to enrich lives and create opportunities. Anyone can start a hobby. Even if you've never considered yourself to be particularly talented, how will you ever know the true extent of your ability unless you try things? For all you know, you could be a whizz at surfing, or a professional flamenco dancer in the making!
The more you try things the better you'll get to know yourself, and the closer you'll get to finding fulfilment.
If you're in two minds about starting a hobby, then it might be worth considering some of the potential benefits...

Life skills

Every kind of hobby requires a certain amount of skill. From footwork in tango dancing to muscle strength in weight lifting, from concentration in woodwork and creativity in writing - it takes practice to hone a craft. However, the sense of achievement you gain from progressing week by week is unrivalled.
As well as learning skills specific to the hobby you choose, you will also learn other, more general life skills. These include:

• Communication skills - If there is a social element to your hobby, then you will no doubt have to interact with other people from a range of different backgrounds, ages and personalities. It's not often that we have the opportunity to get to know people outside of our families, social groups and work-lives.
  
• Persistence - Doing something you really enjoy makes it easier to keep going when things get tough. Having this experience will help you realise that achieving goals takes patience and persistence - qualities you can take with you into other areas of your life.
  
• Self-discipline - Sometimes it's difficult to get up and do things. The temptation to procrastinate can mean many of us let our creative energies sap away in front of the TV or Internet. You can't get good at something if you keep missing sessions, or taking short cuts. Having a hobby is a commitment and it takes a high level of self-discipline to keep it up.  

Employability

Employers look to the 'hobby' section of potential candidates' CVs to get a better idea of who they are and where their interests and skills lie. It's true - our hobbies do say a lot about us. For example, you might expect someone who puts 'reading and writing' to be more introspective and quiet than someone who puts an active, group activity like 'synchronised swimming', or 'volunteer work'. If you're trying to increase your employability then starting a new hobby is a great place to start. Even choosing something free and simple like running can demonstrate you have will-power and self-discipline.

Mental wellbeing

According to mental health charity Mind, "Good mental health isn't something you have, but something you do." Reserving time for yourself to do the things you enjoy doing is an important part of mental wellbeing. Work and relationships are equally important parts of life, but they should not dominate it. Having personal interests, goals and pastimes are also very important. Hobbies will keep your mind occupied, build your self-confidence and give you a sense of purpose and achievement necessary for mental well-being.

Physical health

Of course, not all hobbies are good for your physical health. Hotdog eating contests, for example, are not very healthy. It goes without saying that active hobbies like rock climbing, sports, athletics and weight lifting are all fantastic for boosting physical health - but even non-active hobbies can be good for your physical health. For instance, even standing in a studio for band practice, or sitting in a classroom learning French, uses up energy and stimulates your body more than going home and doing nothing.

Self-esteem and confidence

Low self-esteem is the feeling of not being good enough. If you ever start to doubt your abilities, or lose sight of your own worth, then starting a new activity could help you build the confidence to enjoy being you.
Often, people with low self-esteem are just as capable of doing things as people with high self-esteem; however, in believing they can't do something, people with low self-esteem massively limit themselves.
Part of personal development in life coaching is about realising your virtues. If you never take the time to explore your abilities, then how are you ever going to reach your full potential?
Starting a hobby in something you find interesting could help you identify your strengths and finally break out of destructive thought patterns.

Meet new people

One of the greatest things about starting a hobby is that you get to open up your social life and meet new people. Even if your hobby is something solo like knitting, or reading - simply having the hobby connects you in some way to all the other people out there who also like knitting and reading. You can join Internet forums, book groups, wool conventions - the possibilities are endless.
Many life-long friendships start with a mutual hobby or interest, and joining a group is a great way to meet potential love interests.

Change your life

Although the main purpose of having a hobby is pleasure and recreation, having one often leads to more significant things. For example - many technological developments are made not by professionals, but by individuals playing around with equipment at home. Take the modern phenomenon of Facebook - what started out as a hobby in a student's dorm soon became a multi-billion pound website with the power to change the way humans communicate forever.
Who knows, your quiet interest might just be the beginning of something much bigger. If you don't explore that hobby and hone your talent - how will you ever know?

Downsides of having a hobby

There are some people in life who seem so multi-talented and busy that it's exhausting just being around them. These people seem able to juggle parenting duties with global travel, high-powered careers with exercise, charity work with socialising and so on. But just how do they do it?
Not all of us possess the energy, motivation or inclination to try our hand at every single hobby going, while others don't feel happy until they're immersed in something that challenges them.
While it's beneficial to have hobbies, getting stressed and feeling inadequate for not having one is not good. If you feel happy with the way your life is then don't feel pressured to spend money and time doing things just because you think you should. Hobbies are fantastic for people who have a particular interest they'd like to pursue, or for those who feel like their lives aren't quite satisfying them - but for people who are perfectly content spending time with friends, relaxing and enjoying their current routine, there may be no reward in starting a new hobby.
The downsides of having a hobby include...

• Time commitments - Most hobbies require you to set aside time every week to do them. Once the novelty of starting something new wears off, your hobby might feel more like a chore - especially if it takes a great deal of training and commitment.

• Money - Some hobbies are free, while some - usually ones that require specialist equipment, like scuba diving and rock climbing, cost a significant amount of money. It's worth considering whether you can afford to continue your hobby once you start.

• Energy - Again, the amount of energy you need for your hobby will depend on what kind of hobby it is. If you have an active job, you might feel too tired at the end of the day to do your active hobby. Likewise - if you spend your whole day sitting down at work, you might not feel like sitting down to paint, write, or sew when you get home.

• Frustration - Starting hobbies only to realise they're not as enjoyable or fulfilling as you hoped can become quite frustrating. Even if you do enjoy your hobby, there often comes a plateau-point. This is the point at which you stop progressing and often have to put even more time, energy and effort into edging forwards. Failure can be frustrating and it is important to think about what impact this might have on other areas of your life. 

How could life coaching help me?

Starting a new hobby takes confidence, there's no doubt about it. People can be put off by thoughts such as:

• What if I fail?
• What if no-one likes me?
• What if I make a fool of myself?

In some cases, you might even be afraid of coming to harm. Extreme sports are addictive and fun, but they are also dangerous.
Whatever you anxieties are, a life coach will be able to help you sort them into a rational order so one by one, you can look at what they mean and learn to overcome them.
During your session, you might be asked the following questions:

• Why do you want a hobby?
• Where do you think your strengths lie?
• What skills do you hope to build on by starting a hobby?
• Do you have any concerns about starting a new hobby?

By considering your motives for wanting to start a hobby, and looking at the obstacles standing in your way, you could put yourself in a better position to make a decision.
A life coach will help you:

• build the confidence to try something new
• understand your need for a hobby
• make time in a busy schedule
• believe you can succeed
• decide which hobby is best for you.

Conclusion

Short Paragraph on My Hobby Dancing !
Dancing is my hobby. These days many people irrespective of their age do dancing. While dancing all you need are comfortable shoes and clothes. For instance, you cannot dance ballet wearing loose shoes.
Similarly all kinds of clothes do not match the dance style. For instance, dancing ballet wearing loose clothes will give you a strange look.
The reason behind my dancing is my parents. They are a great source of inspiration for me. They dance with me so that I can dance and take my hobby forward. I never dance in the same style but I like to mix up everything. I know many types of dancing such as Jaz, tap, modern, hip hop, swing and western.
Each type of dance has its own way of moving and rhythm. One has to feel the rhythm & learn the style of dance. I dance because it is the best way to be healthy and keep myself fit. Dance makes me feel relax & happy.
Dancing will always remain a part of my life. It is a kind of sports that every generation enjoys. On every special occasion I feel like dancing. When I dance in the parties nobody can stop me from moving my feet fast in the rhythm of the music. Even if someone does that it’s like applying efforts to stop a natural-disaster. Since childhood dancing is & has been my passion always. Dancing allows me to express my emotions. No matter where I am if music strikes my ears I feel like dancing.
Dancing involves technique, timing, eye and hand coordination, rhythm, emotion and personality. I am always keen to learn new steps of dancing & practice it whenever I get spare time out of my busy school schedule.
I hope someday I will become a successful professional dancer. But right now I have to focus on my studies as well so I am unable to dedicate enough time to my dancing hobby. I am doing stage shows in dancing for 1 ½ years & I am planning to continue this as far as it is possible for me.
I have my dancing group names Hi-Voltage. There are 8 (4 boys and 4 girls) members in my group. Our group competes in competitions & performs at community events and schools.
Among all the forms of dancing I find hip hop quiet interesting and funny. This is because to learn hip hop neither you do not have to be a really good dancer nor you have to buy special clothes to perform it. You can simply wear loose pants & a Tshirt and dance. Every individual has its own unique style in hip hop. One thing which is important is you have to enjoy your dance. I dance because it makes me confident and I enjoy dancing.

Running

Running is an easy activity to do and enjoy. You can run almost anywhere, and you only need shoes. Unless, of course, you’re running barefoot. Running is good for your whole body and mind. It is a great time to just think or even talk with a friend, coach, or parent. You can run short distances, middle distances, and build up to long distances.

• Why Run?
• Getting Started
• How to Get or Stay Motivated
• Safety
• How to Have Fun

Why Run?

• It is relaxing.
• You can run almost anywhere.
• It is a great way to get exercise for your whole body and stay fit and in shape.
• It’s fun!
• It is easy to get started.
• You don’t need much equipment.

Back to top

Getting Started

• Ask a parent or friend it they’ll run with you, since it’s not safe to go running alone.
• Start by running short distances, like 1 block, and add more blocks each day or week, depending on how often you run, and keep building up.
• Once you are at a distance you are comfortable with or that takes about 20-30 minutes to jog, like 1.5 or 2 miles try to run at least a few times a week.
• You don’t have to add more distance to still get the benefits of exercise- you’ll stay fit even if you aren’t running farther each time your run.

It is important to find a way to stay motivated to keep on running. Enter a school team, or enter a few races for kids or family races and run with your friends and parents. Sometimes all you need is a running buddy and a scheduled time to run to keep motivated.

Back to top

How to Get or Stay Motivated

• Set a regular time to run with a friend, sibling, or parent.
• Enter races or join a team.
• Set a schedule for when you want run and set a goal for how long you want to run.
• Stick to your schedule! If you miss a day, that’s okay, but try to run the next day.
• Even missing a few runs is fine, just be sure to get back to your schedule.

Back to top

Safety

• Don’t run alone.
• Wear reflectors at night.
• Wear shoes that fit right and that are made for running. Shoes for other sports can hurt your feet if you run a in them a lot.
• Stretch after you run (and before if you have time.)

It’s also important to have fun while you run! Running can be fun if you feel good, are not pushing it too much, and enjoy what you are doing.

Back to top

How to Have Fun

• Run with someone else.
• Don’t drink or eat too close to when you run or you’ll get cramps (unless you’re having water- but don’t over do it!)
• In the winter, run on a treadmill.
• In the summer, run in mornings or evenings so it’s not too hot.
• Wear sunscreen so you don’t get sunburned.

You can also try out races or triathlons (swim, bike, run) for fun.You can’t just run to be healthy, you also need to eat healthy. Over exercising is unhealthy and can wear you out and injure you, so run just what is comfortable. If you’re training for an event, a coach can help you build up to the distance and teach you how to pace yourself for that race. Running is a great way to have fun and stay in shape, but it is important to remember to run safely and enjoy it.