21DPC Day 16 – What is Your Favorite Pastime? And Why?

This is Day 16 of the 21-Day Positivity Challenge held in March 2012, where we work on being positive for 21 days. The challenge is now over but you can do the tasks in your own time. Visit the overview page for all the tasks.

Happy girl in the field

21DPC Day 16 Question

Today’s positivity question is:

What is Your Favorite Pastime?

And Why?

Kite flying

Your Task:

  1. Reflect and answer today’s question(s). Write as few or as many words as needed to fully express yourself.
  2. Spend at least 10 minutes on your pastime today. If it’s not possible (for example, if it’s an activity that needs prearrangement like sailing or canoeing), pick a different pastime you can do today.
    1. Did you enjoy it?
    2. How can you do this more often from now on?
  3. Identify at least one positive thing about your day. It may be something small or something big – as long as you deem it as something positive, it counts. If you have more than 1 thing to share, then by all means, go for it!

Share Your Answers!

After you are done, share your answers in the comments area.

If you’re doing this at the start of the day, you can post your answer for today’s question first, then work on your positivity task throughout the day, then return at the end of the day to share your results for your positivity task and your end-of-day positive reflection.

Check out other participants’ answers. Pick 1-2 participants’ answers and make a meaningful reply to them. Engage in the discussions. This is a group course, so let’s support each other in these 21 days!

Look forward to reading your responses!

(Images: Happy girl in the field, Kite flying)

107 comments
  1. My pastimes are drawing, painting, crafting, reading etc. I am very creative and studious. I have a thirst and hunger for knowledge

  2. What is Your Favorite Pastime? And Why?

    I love reading. I can learn a lot of things through reading, some of which really changed my life. I really enjoy getting new insights I have never thought of through reading really good books. Plus, excellent books are potent sources of knowledge. My other pastimes currently include listening to music, playing the piano, going for long walks, meditating, jogging, learning (including reading, writing, and listening to audiobooks), self-reflecting, looking at interesting posts and videos in the Internet, and playing video games (WoW).

    I spent some time rereading ‘The Power of Now’ today. It is truly a classic, and it is the book which introduces me to the field of spirituality. I have been doing this every day and will continue to do so.

    Identify at least one positive thing about your day.

    Finally learnt how to play a song on the piano without reading the sheet music.

  3. This has been extra difficult for me. Because I just don’t *feel* like doing anything and the things i like to do, don’t bring me enjoyment anymore. But, I do love reading and I do that every single day (thank you train commute). That makes me feel a lot better.

    My positive thing was hanging out with a bunch of girls with shared interest and just talking about girly stuff. It was really nice.

  4. Reading and tap dancing. Reading opens your mind and exposes you to knowledge. Tap dancing concentrates your mind and helps with memory! Its also a good workout.

    I will try and find some time to read today.

    Positive for the day: I’m living and breathing

  5. My favorite pastime is reading. It’s such an enriching passion of mine, you can always learn something from books, adding new words to your vocabulary and also improving your ability of expressing yourself&imagination. I’ve once seen a documentary about reading called “Why Reading Matters”. It showed how reading engages different parts of our brains, therefore making it a perfect exercise for the mind.

    I’ve been today to the library and borrowed a few books. This evening I’m going to begin reading a novel by Herman Hesse, “Der Steppenwolf” (this is the original title, it’s translated in my mother language though). I can tell from now how I feel when I get to read a book: I feel enriched and happy. My opinion about reading is strongly tied to how I feel when I read. This picture puts into pixels my thoughts: http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-m8oHL5wrWiY/TbdNVRNdwpI/AAAAAAAAAYw/VksbSI0894M/s1600/Books+This+is+exactly+how+they+work.JPG

    The positive things for today: I finally received my Cambridge Exam certificate, it took about 2 months for it to arrive from UK. Also, the spring session of mock exams has finally ended :dance: Now I’m going to enjoy weekend relaxing with a good book.

  6. What is Your Favorite Pastime?
    And Why?
    my past was early childhood with ma grandmother,,played every time no worries period….whenever i indulge to play cricket thats ma best time…and the 6 months duration of internship in gynae obs,,the hectic days,,duty of more than 12.18.24 hrs that kept me busy all the day without any second thought,,run run run…
    Spend at least 10 minutes on your pastime today….difficult task…culd not be able to do..:(

    Identify at least one positive thing about your day. a good holiday,spending time with mother and proceeding towards ma plans….all make ma day beautiful :angel: :angel: :angel:

  7. My favorite pastimes is painting and creating art. I just love doing that, when I work on my art I feel free and happy.

    My possitive thing today is that I have sent in two paintings for a exhibition, cross my fingers and hope that I will be accepted :-)

  8. My favorite pastime is watching TV (especially programmes regarding cooking recipes),listening to radios

  9. Dilip Kumar 13 years ago

    My Favorite Pastime

    Well I can say that reading and writing are my favorite pass time but sometimes when my head is full of irritating thoughts I like to lay down and listen to some soft music. So I guess a favorite pass time must be something that no matter what you are doing, where you are, in what state you are … you will always be glad to do it. So my favorite pass time will be listening music.

    Why? :rolleyes:

    Coz I can never get bore of listening to music. And it gives me the inspiration to write new poems. Moreover whenever I am feeling low it just rejuvenates me.

    One positive thing of the day :dance:

    Well, it has not yet happened but I am going out to learn how to ride a bike with my friend. :)

  10. These two are my favorite pastime:-

    * go for walks in nature – there’s a reservoir near where I live, about 15 minutes walk. There’s a track for jogging, cycling and roller blading. People can also water ski or fish or go kayaking in the reservoir. Ample open spaces for taichi. It’s so peaceful, calm and quiet. The only sound is the rustling of the wind, birds and crickets. The only smell are the grass, the trees and the flowers when they are in bloom. I like to just sit, meditate after my walk or just watch people as they jog or do their taichi. I enjoy the fresh air and the cool breeze. This is the most relaxing and rejuvenating past time. I do this once a week.

    * reading, of course – to relax my mind, to get ideas and inspiration besides obviously the knowledge. I read not only books but also blogs.

    For today, I can enjoy reading. Half way through reading the Japanese Haiku. It’s heavy stuff and much to absorb.

    Identify at least one positive thing about your day
    * My sister made pizza so I don’t have to cook. :dance:
    * More time to read.
    * More time to attend to my blogs.

    • I am pausing in your favorite pastime, Asni…you have created a fine place for me to rest in thought until I am in the arms of Mother Nature…

      “The smell if grass, the trees, the flowers, fresh air, cool breeze….the sound of birds and crickets and the rustling of the wind…
      sitting and watching and meditating…..”
      count me in, Asni, I’m THERE!
      encourages a n-i-c-e, l-o-n-g d-e-e-p b-r-e-a-t-h…… :heart: .

      I quite agree….relaxing in nature is a great good gift, and a wonderful, centering treat to enjoy.
      Of the favorite pastimes on my list, being in nature and letting all the gifts of nature soak in is definitely at the top of that list.
      When in my workout swim in the ocean, I am so aware of being a dot of life in the v a s t,
      o p e n sea, under the w i d e, o p e n s k y, and yet, I , in the speck that I am, am part of it
      A L L!!!

      And I’m glad that you love reading, cause as a writer, I need readers to complete the communication :D ! ( as I wrote in my lonng post today.)

      Here’s to your having a fine day today! :D

      (BTW, Asni, did you happen by my reply to your post yesterday? Your post encouraged my thoughts, and I got on a roll with writing them down…..)

      • Thank you, Bette!

        Wow! Your positivity level is super-charged and I can feel the vibes here in Singapore! :mrgreen:

        I’m with you there, in nature — the feeling that I’m just a tiny speck and a part of it all! :cool:

        It’s cool that you write. What do you write and do you have a blog that I can read?

        Have a great day!

        • Thanks for the reply, Asni, :hug:
          I have been encouraged by those who have been suggesting my starting a blog, so my desire to start one is increasing, so stay tuned! :D I love writing creatively, which includes poems, and little inspirational pieces, relating to nature, and how nature speaks to me. :heart:
          Desire plus encouragement=sky’s the limit! :dance:

  11. I have many favourite pastimes but one I particularly enjoy is sitting quietly staring at trees. Especially if it is a large, old tree and there is a slight wind. I feel like I am communing with nature and I see and feel the natural abundance of the earth. I see how nature has unfolded throughout the ages and I get a sense of wisdom from the tree as it has seen many things over the years.

    I will do this today!

    • Roses,
      This is so beautiful…says so much in few words…thank you…For these words, for sitting quietly communing with trees, and seeing and feeling Earth’s abundance……….
      .We ARE so connected with the trees…the network of roots reaching deep within, and the branches that reach ever upward. Both directions reach deep, far and wide….from the earth’s wisdom and from the wisdom of the heavens.
      I am a tree sitter/watcher too and I am so happy to hear we are tree companions.
      We witness the trees that have been silent witnesses and companions throughout the ages, linking us to eachother and to the earth and sky with that wisdom that is unique to Tree Energy. :D :heart:

      There are some awesome gumbo limbo trees here in Puerto Rico! I have seen many wonderful ones in Florida, but these trees on this island take the cake! :D They must really love it here!!! :heart: Their trunks make such statements, have such expressions, tell such stories!

      Most wonderful tree-sitting adventures to you, Roses. And may you be accompanied by our friend, Slight Wind. :D :heart:

      • Hi Bette!

        I’ve been offline for a couple of days and just saw your lovely response! Thank you also for your beautiful words :)

        I don’t know gumbo trees, I’m in London and my favourite trees are large old oak trees or trees with lumpy trunks that you can see faces in!

        I didn’t do this on Friday but I got around to it on Saturday. My friend and I went running in a beautiful park. She cut her run short and went home early so I carried on for a little bit and then just walked around and sat on a bench and looked at a weeping willow tree. I felt a bit of peace in my hectic life and I’m looking forward to doing this more often :)

        “Most wonderful tree-sitting adventures to you, Roses. And may you be accompanied by our friend, Slight Wind.”

        Thanks so much Bette!

        Sometimes when I am doing the dishes and the window is open I see a slight wind move the curtains. When I notice this I feel it is God, my own concept of God as a positive energy, reminding me of its presence everywhere.

        • I’m with you all the way, Roses, with the wind as the omnipresent positive Energy, an Energy that fuels our very breath! :heart:
          :heart: and positive energy from your tree huggin’ tree lovin’ friend! :hug:

          • Ha ha! Hey Bette, sending you positive energy also from your tree-hugging friend! :hug: :heart: :hug:

    • I did this one Saturday. One positive thing about Friday was that my son got a medal in gymnastics and went on a safari trip with school. Although I didn’t see him as he was with his dad I spoke to him on the phone and told him how proud of him I was :)

  12. My favourite pastime tool would definitely be reading….

    Its something that’s been etched into the soul of my life ever since i was little and had my uncle subscribing to a whole load of newspapers, journals and entries…all of which i’d spend hours to read
    Then it came down to vernacular (Gujarati) novels…
    And now a lot of self-help and religious books (both in English and in gujarati)

    It’s the much cliched effect when you pick up a book, its irksome to put it down…that’s the true essence of reading… :D that’s what draws me to it….

    I do have a modestly small collection of books and I pride on my collection, something I may account as my life’s worth!

    Positive today c’est vendredi, It’s friday, looking forward to a smile-fun filled weekend with my kids!

    • Great Good Minds, ASLO…our posts are right next to eachother, hugging… :hug: :D
      I certainly share your fave pastime…and since my passion :heart: is writing (I’ve been up all night, on FIRE with my writing!)….and yours is reading :heart: …..
      we make a GREAT team, right?!!!! :dance:

      BTW, I take you swimming with me, ASLO, you and our dear Kate, and other PE’ers, honouring our awesome 21DFC…a challenge that continues for us all for LIFE, right?!!!!!! :dance:

      And I think of you and your brilliant love for your amazing kids, and what a magical time you all have celebrating every moment!!! :heart: :heart: :heart: Your post about them was just so heart-warming…I STILL can feel it!!! (I look forward to and carefully read ALL your posts, oui, c’est vrai! :D … just so you know…)

      So anyway, dear friend, all goods things to your ever-bloomin’ self! :hug:

      • Hey sorry I haven’t been replying to your posts, its a great physical hurdle to login and even put up my own posts….told you about the peptic ulcers right?…Whenever one tries to achieve greater heights mentally it’s fiercely important to have a supporting health at the time, am yet striving for achieving a better health hallmark….
        Anyways, today was yet another day when I was physically low, and looking up to getting a reply, especially one from someone who I now consider an age-old friend, i feel motivated! :D :D :D
        Yes Bette, we sure make a great team, so keep writing and i’d keep reading
        :hug: :hug:

  13. FAVORITE PASTIME
    CREATIVE WRITING…From the Invisible to the Visible…

    Writing is a favorite pastime for me, and reading is a companion activity that, along with writing, as Forrest Gump says, is like, “peas and carrots”…they go hand in hand. Sometimes, not always, i like to write while tender and evocative music is playing in the background. That can be very inspiring, breathing life into certain words so that when placed together, the words reach right into the heart and soul. :heart: Life is behind and within the words that people choose to express their hearts and speak their minds. Word stretch across the miles, erasing distance in an instant.. In the twinkling of the eye, there is a connection made, making visible, the invisible.

    I love words and expressing my thoughts and ideas in carefully selected words. I feel happy to be freely expressing myself, and it’s lovely to share that expression with myself AND with others. Communicating from my soul to myself, is wonderful, yes, of course, that speaks volumes to me…and SHARING, with another person/others, ideas, and whatever thoughts and feelings arise, is a very beautiful thing. :heart: Without two-way communication, expressing ideas, caring about and sharing with others, having a flow of reciprocity, it’s only words on a page….words without the receiver, are just words, an empty bell.

    Writing, for me, is both therapeutic and enjoyable. It is second nature. Hours and hours can pass when I am in the process of writing, and I don’t even notice time’s passage. I am so involved and interested in the process of writing, thinking, feeling, telling the story, expressing in words “that which cannot be said,” that time just does not exist. Being interrupted from that writing process, or coming out of that zone, that flow, feels unnatural, like there is a place I go that is not in the time/space continuum. It is a place out of this dimension, where ideas are born, and want to be unleashed from their chrysalis. Until the birth of the creation is complete, I stay with that which is forming and gathering all the necessary force from the Unseen, gathering momentum for the birth of that creation to take place in the physical world. Just like a birth is anticipated, so too do I anticipate the new creative work, eager to celebrate its arrival in the world.

    Being expressive can also be challenging…saying just what I mean and meaning what I say. Even though it is challenging, creatively writing is a joy for me. Messages come through nature and being willing to engage with that force and give nature a voice, is exciting. Poems spring forth!…(“the spontaneous overflow of powerful emotion” -Emerson)
    Journaling has always been natural for me, and it is always revealing. I learn so much through writing on a daily basis. I give what is hidden on the inside a chance to express itself on the outside.
    The physical act of writing is also a way to bring forth, from the depths, the ink of the heart and soul…the heartbeat pumps blood which becomes the ink that forms words that form ideas onto the blank page and into the light of day. :heart:

    I have been writing creatively in one way or another, since I was nine years young. It is interesting to see things years later, no matter what those things I have written, are about. I learned early on to date and initial whatever I write. Years later, it never ceases to amaze me how often i say, “Did I really write that?!!!” Disbelief happens when I am amazed how very much I enjoy the writing, or how much i don’t feel anything at all. Sometimes, it’s almost like writing down a dream, and much later finding those words, and not even recalling having written those words or recalling that dream.

    A dream come true would be to gather my writings all together in a book, and see about publishing that book. Whether or not that happens, if, in fact, that is Destiny’s direction for me, guiding my hand across the blank page, it has been my joy to make discoveries I would not have made had I not been in the process of writing ideas in words…of capturing heartbeats in poems, in telling stories that convey feelings that have moved mountains. Magic fills the very letters of the words that have arrived on the blank page, all breathless with the excitement of telling the stories that fill the pages that turn into the body of my life’s stories and poems between the covers of my book of life. :heart:

    Well-chosen, sincere words straight from the heart travel right to the heart of the listener or reader. Words are imbued with that “something extra” that fuels many a new topic or dream to be explored.. Words are little boats that carry across distant lands so many interpretations of the language of the heart and the stirrings of the soul. :heart:

    • Hey Bette, reading this post says to me “Straighten up lil soldier, stiffen that upper lip….life a beautiful picture, don’t ever allow any pretty moment to take a slip”…..
      Thank you Bette for being an inspiration
      Have said this before, you hold this uncanny ability to let the words paint a picture and that is a very beautiful thing to do…. :heart:
      BTW, i too enjoy writing as a pass-time, though much of the deep-meaning texts often are in Gujarati rather than english, but still as you mention below, yet another ploy of cosmos binding us together
      :D
      :D
      :heart:

      • Love hearing from you, ASLO, comme d’habitude…. :D

        And I do love to paint pictures with words, I do, it’s true! :heart:

        And yes, the universe has its ways of getting things done….
        bringing together people of all kinds in all places to express their hearts and minds and spirits whatever the language…
        Nothing that is truly heartfelt is lost in translation. :heart:

        Surely grateful for meeting the likes of you! :D
        And thank you again for your encouraging words of support.

    • Dilip Kumar 13 years ago

      Wow ! that was one hell of a post Bette ! :clap: .

      BTW one free advice: :D Why don’t you start writing a blog.
      I have recently started writing a blog and have decided to write at least one post every week. I can tell you that I am enjoying my this new found habit. I will be glad to read more from you. :)

      • Thank you Dilip, I appreciate that! :D I love the feedback and encouragement! :D
        And I surely am consider blogging…it has been mentioned to me before…(a ;) and” thumbs up” from the universe, looks/sounds like…..
        Am curious as to what that experience holds for me, and I DO love to create with words, so….arrows are pointing in that direction. I’m a little slow on the take….getting used to the idea, most likely….

        Glad you started/are enjoying your new blog. :D
        Keep me posted, :lol: pun intended!!! :D

    • I have the same experience when reading my old journals. I can’t believe some of the things that I wrote! Sometimes I feel protective of that person (me) who wrote those things 25 years ago, like a mother caring for a child. It allows me to see how far I have come, and how my beliefs have changed over the years.

      • Hi Susan,

        fI totally get the protective feeling you’ve described! I have also developed compassion for the things I have gone through over time. :heart: .
        .
        And like you say, the perspective of how FAR I have come…
        Right there is a book of stories, right?!!!

        Amazing, just amazing what information/insight is available to us when we allow what is within us to emerge on the blank page….
        :heart:

    • P.Callychurn 13 years ago

      Hello Bette, I congratulate myself for having read and re-read your post on creative writing.A literary masterpiece, on a theme that is more complex for words to express but your magic as you say has made it possible. Yes , words coming from the heart goes direct to the heart. No other words can further elaborate. You have a divine gift that has accompanied you all through, and is still ever present.It will be unfair to make any further appreciation.It is simply poetry in prose-overflow of powerful feelings.
      All I can say and ardently wish and there are many who are of the same view,that one day, very ,we learn that there is going to be the launching of your book which has been printed and edited with the ink of your heart and soul.

      • Ohhh Callychurn, you and your words do my heart good…SO good! :D

        I feel heartened and encouraged by your generous spirit, and truly have realized that I am in a process of further opening up myself to the possibilities of being available for my Muse to come even more alive in my writing and in the placing of those writings in a book. This is a most wonderful process….. :dance:

        Your heartening reply to me only makes for a deeper ink to flow on those blank pages!
        Deep gratitude, P.C.
        :heart: to :heart:

    • Hey ms. Bette, I love your writing as well. I would love to be able to write as you do. I agree you should start a blog or Facebook page so we could follow you! hehe ;)
      You definitely have a gift. Picking the right creative words to convey the feelings you are trying to express is an art. Keep visualizing and working towards your dream and I”m sure it will come true for you!

      • I so appreciate your comments, Lady DI, :hug: and YES,
        I shall keep visualizing and working towards my dream, knowing that it IS coming true.
        I have a desire to start a blog, so that is on its way, stay tuned….!
        Thank you
        :heart:

  14. cook, walk 2 beach, catch up with friends..

    Sent a message in french to my friend so that she can practice more. She knows only the basics. So I am helping her not to forget what she learnt in french

    • How nice of you Dora! It’s true it’s by practicing language we can improve. Your friend is lucky to have you.

      • Thanks Marie! : )

        And she used her french when she was in France too : )

  15. Vasundhara 13 years ago

    Favorite Pastime of course is reading books and listening to music. Music has the some thing which gives me relief to me when am fully stressed out and when i down.

    Books – I go into the book which i am reading and i will forget the outside world and will be in the world of stories or history depending on the type of book which i am reading :)

    Yes i enjoy doing the aforesaid pass time things :) Actually on daily basis am doing the aforesaid two things.. Hopefully i will continue this in future.

    Positive for the day:

    Even though its weekend for us, i got up early and finished all the cleaning and cooking so early…:)

  16. My favorite pastimes are to cook,sew and garden. It makes me feel complete,acomplished and proud. Also learning all I can on this subjects takes up a lot of my free time, it is amazing how I can always find information on how to do a better job on whatever proyect I’m working on, and that by itself is thrilling. I look forward to read the latest magazine or to get an email from the various sites that sends me recipes or “a super treat” when I get a video with instructions on how to make a garment. God bless the internet! Among other things I get to read all your lovely messages. It is becoming a new pastime!

    The positive thing about my day and pretty much every day is that I get to cook. I try new recipes as often as I can and my family and friends love the “surprises” as much as I like to try new things. It migh seam arrogant, but it really makes me feel good about myself!

    Almost every day after the meal we seat in the terrace to have coffe and I get to enjoy my garden. Honestly my family doesn’t particularly care about the garden and tend to RUN for their lifes when I “invent” a “big” proyect. I have yet so much to learn and my garden is far from perfect or profesional; but everytime something blooms or I am able to cut an herb or vegetable my heart jumps with an indescribable joy. I hope all of you lovely people have as much fun with your hobbies/pastimes.

  17. one of my favourite pastimes is bird watching. Watching birds is a constant reminder that other species are sharing their world with us. There are these fabulous wild and miraculous creatures living and carrying on their lives as best they can, right where we live too. Bird watching always calms me down and fills me with wonder.

    I am definitely not an expert, nor am I a twitcher who drives hundreds of miles to see a rare bird. I love watching the so called common species. Just what are those noisy sparrows up to in my garden? I love seeing the common garden birds on my bird feeders – seeing their beautiful colours and changing plumage. These little birds are so fragile but often have flown thousands and thousands of miles before landing in my garden. It’s also like watching a continual soap opera, what with all the squabbling, the finding of partners, raising the young, pecking orders and so on.

    And then there’s the bird song – so beautiful and uplifting each day. And, at the moment, birds are nest building – how do they do it – build these amazing structures? I love seeing blackbirds with beaks full of moss and grasses, rooks flapping along with great long twigs in their beaks, a thrush in the bird bath – every day I am delighted by birds. Also, going on walks, going anywhere is enhanced by seeing birds in different habitats.

    I can bird watch wherever I am, city or countryside. And it’s free!

    Today, as I do each day, I will spend at least 10 minutes looking out of the kitchen window appreciating the bird life. I am a member of the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) and do a bit of volunteering with them too. If you love birds it’s a great charity to join as they do so much campaigning for a better environment for us all.

    One positive thing – well it’s only just after 6am in the UK, but I’ve been hearing the birds singing away for a while now as I’ve been typing, and I’ve been appreciating their presence. I also appreciate earl grey tea very very very much. A cup of earl grey tea accompanied by bird song at the start of the day – how fab is that?!!

    • How lovely! I adore to listen to birds.I have a humingbird feeder in the garden and can spend time enjoying them. Other than that I know nothing about birds….except I enjoy them. So congratulations, aside from being a pastime you actually get to do something for the enviroment.

      • Oh Anna, how magical to have hummingbirds in your garden. My eldest daughter married a lovely Brazilian man last year and whilst in Brazil for the wedding I saw hummingbirds every day in the garden of the house we were staying at. Mexico must have some beautiful birds. I’m glad you like birds too and, as you wrote elsewhere, it’s brilliant that we get to ‘chat’ to people from all sorts of different countries on the PE site.

        • Lottie, Thank you for your response….I am so uneducated regarding birds I thought there were hummingbirds everywere! I learned something new today! I supouse we do have a large variety of species here and I will try to educate myself a little more. However the sound of one bird or another all day long is fantastic and I truly appreciate that. I am lucky to live in an area were there are lots of trees and every day at sunrise and sunset I am able to hear a concert! If you are ever in this side of the world again, you are very welcome to join me! How wonderful that you visited Brazil it is an amazing country. Hope your daughter is happy there. All my best and hope to “chat”/communicate with you in this site again.

  18. Alban Brice 13 years ago

    Reading is My Favorite Pastime. Because Books are by far the greatest personal development tool.

  19. My favourite pastime is my work – yes, really. Well I call it my work, but I’m not getting paid, I’m a student doing this on her free time (=as much as I can, therefore ruining my school life !), but I love it. I’m lucky enough to do this and know that if I earned just enough to live from it, I would certainly give up my studies and do it full-time, and even more, because this is what I really love !
    We have a lot of work right now, and I’ll probably spend a couple hours on it today =)

    The good thing yesterday is that I stayed almost three hours in the sun with friends of mine, having fun and talking. It’s getting sunny and very warm now, after a really rough winter ! =)

    • What is it you do? I love that you enjoy it; but did not understand what it is you do, aside from studiying. Regards.

  20. P.Callychurn 13 years ago

    Reading was ,and remains my favourite pastime. In retirement,now I rather go for books and magazines on spirituality, on value based articles or reports.To fine tune my own mental and emotional disposition I look forward to initiatives that help promote understanding and peace among the peoples of the world ,and within a country too, why not?What is happening in Syria for example could have been avoided, nipped in the bud,I dare say.with some humility, understanding and magnanimity.
    The internet is a treasurehouse of literature in every field of life,and offers opinions as varied ,with different viewpoints, for the reader to have a broad-based ,and objective view around a subject. You have opportunity to contribute you own version as well. In most cases it is NOTa one way traffic. Like the PE blog.You have materials for full time reading,and guidlines as to how to put them in practice.
    I personally, make it a point to read the daily message of the ISKON programme, on Krishna Consciousness,and the Bible Gateway,a daily quote from the bible, with new interpretation, for easy application in our daily life. So it is with the Brahmakumaris World Spiritual University, which lay emphasis on the purification of the mind through the Raja Yoga, a form of meditation.and a daily Godly message to keep you equipped and recharged to face the stresses of this modern boisterous, and often heartless environment. We are presently involved in a project by the name of ‘adding values to villages’, a campaign designed to sensitise and promote, within the family and the community, the necessity for the revival of values, to help check the erosion of values in society and create more space for love ,respect, humility etc to gain its rightful place in our heart and mind.Every village in Mauritius is being tagged with a value based name, with the approval of the authority. For example,CENTRAL- FLACQ will be henceforth known as the Village of Peace, Mare La Chaux, Village of Freedom etc.
    I also wanted to drive home the importance of reading as a favourite pastime to be followed by, positive action, for those who may not have any substantial occupation. Voluntary Social work can serve as the best alternative.

    • Hello P Callychurn,

      I really enjoyed and feel inspired by reading your thoughts about today’s question. The ‘adding values to villages’ campaign is such a good idea. Is there a website or some reading material you could direct me to? We could do with schemes like that in the UK, or maybe there already are but if so, I have not encountered them. And the value-based name for the villages is great. I would love to live somewhere with a name like Village of Peace and I’m sure I would try to help my village live up to a name like that. Funnily enough, I live in a small town called Totnes and the ‘Welcome to Totnes’ signs over the years have often had graffiti on them reading ‘twinned with Narnia’, or simply the word ‘Totnes’ crossed out and replaced with the word ‘ Narnia’. It always makes me smile.

      As for the voluntary social work bit – yes, great idea. Doing any sort of voluntary work is so interesting. It helps others, you meet new people, learn more skills, you can do as many or as few hours as you like, you feel good for making a contribution to the community etc etc. What’s not to like?

      And reading has always been a love of mine too. Every day I’m grateful for the ability to read. Reading has educated me, entranced me, been a friend through bad patches, made me laugh, made me cry, thrilled me and constantly helps me to see things from another point of view.

      So thanks very much for getting me all enthused about life! Hope you are having a good day.

      • P.Callychurn 13 years ago

        Hello Lottie,
        Thank you for your generous appreciation of my post, with particular reference to the project “adding Values to Villages”.
        This is a project of the BKSU, offered inthe context of theeir Platrinum Jubilee Celebrations..As the project interests you there we shall be too willing to elaborate on the aims and objectives, in as much as, there is, in the UK, the largest Office after India. The Brama kumaris World Spiritual University is not a religious organisation, and does exist in about 175 countries around the world.
        Coming back toMmauritius, the project was discussed with the local authorities which found no problem accepting the idea.In the south of the island, 25 villages have already been attained. In the East where we are located, we have so far covered 3 3villages. A fourth one is scheduled for Saturday, 24.2.12, at Brisee-Verdiere, Village for HONESTY..
        Before the Official, symbolical ceremony, coordinating meetings are held with the NGO’s and schools and other organisations, to explain the scope and importance of the project.
        All these organisations and in the school everyone talks about the particular value, and the related values, because no value stands on its own. No peace without cooperation ,Honesty, Toerance etc. Aname- plate is then fixed incorporating both names.
        It is hoped that everytime someone reads the’ Value Added’ name plate , it will remind him about the symbol the value represents, and his duty towards upholding that value.
        I am always available for any further information thereof.

        • Thanks very much indeed for all the information – very interesting and much appreciated.

    • How amazing to read what you are doing/thinking all the way in Mauritius while I am in Mexico! My very best regards! Love how internet/Celes site can bring us a bit closer! Loved your comment.

      • P.Callychurn 13 years ago

        Hello Anna,
        You are rightparticipants to this forum , I think, hardly ever realise they may be oceans apart.Under the able leadership of Celes, it seems we are involved in the business of building bridges around the world, instead of walls as some may be sadly trying.Indeed it looks like abig family.
        Thank you for the nice words about Mauritius, a small island in the Indian Ocean.

  21. i love reading. i can’t live without reading. every day after breakfast i read for 40/50 minutes thats make me very happy,positive & energatic.
    right now in my second tab i am reading Robin Sharma’s book.great

  22. stacey_dream 13 years ago

    My favorite pastime is reading! When reading, it’s as if I were talking to the author and learning from his experience. Many things have already been discovered, so we just need to find the right book. Now I’m reading The Atlas Shrugged by Ayn Rand, going to read another 10-20 pages today.

    Good things of the day? I had a good 90-minute-yoga class and enjoyed it a lot. I guess I’m finally coming in terms with my mind and soul.

    • I just recently finished Atlas Shrugged. It’s a very long book, but I found it to be thought provoking. I hope you enjoy it!

  23. Sheila D. Johnson 13 years ago

    I love to read. It allows me the opportunity to relax, gain knowledge and learn something new!

  24. My favorite passtime is playing music as a disc jockey. It is strange, but somehow haivng contol over mixing and beat matching puts things into order in my life. It is something I have done for the past fifteen years at least if not in many ways longer. I was always (and still am) the quiet guy at parties who felt out of the loop. Mix in a little music and I am suddenly the life of the party. The art of turntablism though is not something easy to do, and takes a lot of patience to set up properly. I had a functioning set of turntables until last year, and have been waiting to set up a new set at home.
    Today has been free food day at work. I walked in to an entire pizza on my desk as thanks for some extra work I had done. After putting that in the fridge for lunch I came back to find a basket filled with cookies. Later after sharing I was treated to a very nice chocolate cupcake. Like this almost never happens here… Maybe I should go home and DJ for a bit.

  25. Watching baseball. Because I grew up playing the game and watching it. It get s me excited and it relaxes me.

  26. I love playing with my puppy! It’s seriously addictive and I pretty much got all my work done today with her tumbling and playing all over me. Absolute bliss and pure love. Of course, this could count as my positive too.. But as I’m having a particularly good week..

    My positive is that I’m finding quick success in focussing more on generating my own happiness, rather than relying on others to supply it. Had a fantastic night out last night with a dear old friend. So blessed…

  27. My favorite past time is to listen to music and read. I can’t go a day without either of them. I have actually already spent time doing them today and I sure did enjoy it!

    One positive thing for today…I asked a friend to help me with a subject I was having a bit of trouble on (I have a quiz tomorrow). We both had a nice time

  28. I love to read! To get pulled into a book, leaving your world for a little while and jumping into a story–it’s a great stress reliever and stops your mind of worrying and dwelling on unpleasant things:)

    My positive for the day is going to happy hour with hubs and his coworkers to catch a little March Madness:)

    • Yes I love reading too. It opens your mind to new ideas and concepts that you didn’t know.

  29. My favorite past time is watching old movies. They are so good, not like the present movies, lots of profanity, killings and evil. Reminds me of the good ole days, every now and then, it’s good to reflect back.

  30. My favourite pastime is anything I really feel like doing on any day. It could be going for a long walk, going out to take some photos, preparing a nice meal, shooting and editing some video, going snorkling, recording some music, meeting up with friends, or any other number of things. Basically it varies, so I don’t have just one favourite.

    Today I’ll find the time to work on some music as a favourite pastime.

    Positive things today. I finished editing some video earlier in the morning (before I went to bed) to some music I’d only just recorded using video footage I’d shot earlier in the evening just after the sun had gone down. And it came out great! Will be finishing it and posting it later today.

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