Friday, August 7, 2015

God Loves Cowboys Scroll Saw Pattern.

How important are hobbies in our lives?

I tell everyone who will listen what I believe are the advantages of having a hobby that you can be passionate about. Just think about the last time you were in the shop deeply involved in a project. Were you worried about the latest terrible news on TV? Were you thinking about your boss fussing at you about some trivial nothing? Did you notice that the national dept grew another trillion dollars?

No, you were just thinking about making the best project you could. You might even have felt stress about making a mistake on the project but that's a different kind of stress. It's the kind of stress that keeps you motivated and improving. It's not the kind of stress that kills you.

In sports it's called being in the zone. It's a magical place where time slows down and your focus intensifies. It's that place where hours go by and seem like minutes. This state of mind is known to raise the level of neurotransmitters in your brain, chemicals like endorphins, norepinephrine and dopamine energize you.

Hobbies tend to enhance your feeling of self worth and confidence. Your creativity is also enhanced which is helpful in all parts of your life. Creative thinking is a trait that most successful people have in common. A hobby can actually make you a better employee at work. Smart managers take notice of people who mention creative hobbies on their job application.

You can't force passion. You either feel it or you don't. If a hobby does not stimulate you after giving it a try then find another hobby that does. In my case the combination of woodworking and computer design gives me that passion. When I'm in my shop, I'm happy. When I'm working on the blog, I'm happy. What price can you put on being happy?

If you have the chance to show someone your hobby you might just be giving that person a gift that lasts a lifetime. If you have a young person in your life that shows an interest in your woodworking then gently explore that interest. Don't push but do encourage. If they get the passion you won't have to push. They will push themselves.

I will have some type of creative hobby until it becomes impossible for me to do it. I am convinced that it makes me a better me.  

 
The Scrollsaw Workshop is primarily supported by donations. If you enjoy this Blog and would like to make a donation please click this link. Your support is greatly appreciated. Make A Donation


http://www.stevedgood.com/woodenvases.html
Each digital book is available for download immediately after payment.
The books are $12 per edition and contains eight unique patterns each.
Click now and make a family heirloom this weekend.

If you would like to have all the patterns in the Scrollsaw Workshop catalog you can buy the first six years DVD and the 2013 update DVD at this link. DVD #1 is $20 and contains over 1,100 patterns. The 2013 update DVD is $7.50 and has another 178 patterns. The 2014 update DVD is $7.50 and has another 223 patterns.