When does something cease being a hobby and turn into a craft (where you are an amateur, moving from doing something for strictly pleasure and it becoming something that you need to invest more time an energy into to rise above your current limitations) and then turn into a true work of professional art (in which case you could be considered a professional at what you do and get paid for it)? Welcome to the things my brain thinks about. I was having a conversation with a friend about this very topic just last week. I really enjoy learning new things, I know a little about a lot of different areas, but none of which I pursue to the degree that I would consider myself an artist to the fullest extent of the word.
Areas in which I would consider myself an amateur, well there are a couple....crocheting and sign language...I've invested enough time and energy into both that they have to some degree benefited others and required some discipline.
The ones that hoover between a hobby and a craft would consist of activities such as painting, spanish and cooking. I'd say these are three areas in which I am actively pursuing continued growth but would not consider myself to have half learned. But will I do diligence enough to bring them beyond the point of hobby? This remains to be seen.
As far as hobbies go...how about gardening? I'm not even sure I'd consider myself at a craft point in this because while I enjoy it, I feel as though I actually know very little and I don't invest that much time into knowing more.
Are you the sort of person that discovers something new and sticks with it until you perfect it, or are you more of a dabbler? I am pretty sure I am a dabbler. Maybe it's the learner in me that likes to have a little bit of knowledge about a lot of different things and to put all of my time and energy into one thing solely is not my cup of tea. (I actually like a lot of variety when it comes to tea too.)
There is a certain amount of discipline required in becoming a true artist in what you do...and perhaps at certain points is it valuable to take a hobby and discipline yourself to perfect it for the sake of growing character? While in most instances allowing a hobby to remain just that-a hobby... or do we need to pursue some of the things in our life that right now are "just a hobby" and actually turn them into something that could change the world..
Has God created some people to zone in on one or two areas and become experts and some of us just to do a little of this and that? Or are we all designed to be experts in an area or two? I guess in asking that questions I realize that we chop up our lives into categories so easily between work and play, hobbies or professions. If it's fun- it can't be work. And if it's not fun - it can't be play. Hobbies usually seem to fall into the play category...but what if that hobby could be work and it could remain fun?
Feel free to weigh in on your thoughts as these are mine on this weeks topic of "hobbies" and they are far from complete...I love to ponder and sometimes resist sharing until I have my thoughts all sorted through, but in reality it's more enjoyable to put it out there and allow others to give their input.
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