Introduction
The smell of a barbeque with friends and family on a warm Summer’s day brings back great memories for me. The food, the pool, the carefree conversations, the nostalgic reminiscing, the catching up on current events, all contribute to beautiful shared experiences. Grilling out and sharing a meal with others in a relaxed environment like this is one hobby of mine. Engaging in various hobbies that you enjoy or would like to learn like cooking, art, music, hiking, fitness, writing, reading, etc., offers each of us an outlet to connect and learn. Engaging in these hobbies also keeps us from old behaviors. What healthy hobbies do you have that you can connect with? Today’s lesson offers a survey of some hobbies that can be healing for mind, body, and soul.
Cooking
We all need to eat each and every day! Going to the grocery store and picking up a list of colorful produce to chop up and cook can be tons of fun and is therapeutic. Try onions, celery, red and yellow bell peppers, tomatoes, garlic, olives, artichokes, carrots, parley, snap peas, broccoli. Pick your favorite combination. Chop or dice them up and cook in olive oil. 
Remember to make your pan and oil nice and hot before putting in the vegetables. You can keep some of the veggies on the side to put into a salad. Just chop some green leaf, romaine, or mixed greens, add the chopped veggies and toss with your favorite dressing. I’m sure you have some favorite recipes you have tried. Or, maybe you are already an excellent cook! Cooking for friends is a fulfilling experience. You can even challenge them to make a dish and bring it with them potluck style.
Here is a video the shows a fast-forward version of the creation of ten awesome pasta dishes. Which one is your favorite?
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***Suggested Action Step***
Find a simple recipe (maybe make a list of ingredients from one of the dishes on the video), go to the store and get the ingredients. Come home and try your hand at cooking. Usually cooking your own food means you will eat more healthily than picking something up out. It is also much less expensive. Cooking is an amazing colorful world filled with new ideas and old.
Journaling
Journaling helps you to keep track of your daily and life experiences, process your thoughts and emotions, and reflect on the meaning that lies beyond the surface. Some find that using a pen and paper is more satisfying than typing on a keyboard. Your handwriting shows a certain unique expression and can encourage creativity. A digital journal is easy to date and archive and is also readily accessible to share with others if you choose. Here are a few inspirational quotes about journaling:
“Journaling is like whispering to one’s self and listening at the same time.” Mina Murray.
“A personal journal is an ideal environment in which to become. It is a perfect place for you to think, feel, discover, expand, remember, and dream.” Brad Wilcox.
“I can shake off everything as I write; my sorrows disappear, my courage is reborn.”
-Anne Frank
“In the journal I am at ease.” Anais Nin.
***Suggested Action Step***
Get a fresh journal or pull one off the shelf you haven’t used much and start a daily journaling practice. Don’t put any demands on yourself. Simply write thoughts that come. Spend 5 minutes at the beginning or end of the day reflecting on your life’s events or thoughts. Try to encourage yourself through writing. Explore new ideas. You may be amazed how much this helps your memory and also helps you find peace through conflict. Enjoy!
Hiking
There are so many amazing places to see in nature! Getting even a little way out of the city can really change your view, bring you encouragement, and improve your health through exercise. Walking on a hike (depending on the trail) is low impact on your knees too. If you have trouble with any rough terrain or hills, find a nice flat park path and do 3 or 4 laps around the park. Here is a list of some things to bring with you for your hike:
small backpack towel
medium or large water bottle extra shirt
snack (apple, banana, trail mix, etc…) walking stick pen and journal
There are hikes that last 20 minutes and hikes that last 2 hours. It can be nice to have a destination to your hike like the top of a hill or mountain. 
Bring a lunch with you and a journal. There are also long hikes that last between a whole day up to 3 or 4 days or more! Doing a long hike and camping out a long the way requires much more preparation. Start with small day hikes in your local area. Make sure you have a good pair of hiking sneakers or boots. Make sure to take some pictures along the way to share with family and friends. Or, just get away from everyone and find peace and quiet for a while.
Drawing, Coloring, Music
Drawing is a very common, fun, and satisfying pastime. Putting pencil, paint, or stylus to paper, canvas, or screen offers a whole world of possibilities. There are a ton of drawing applications out there like Procreate and Affinity Designer (for iPad), and Adobe Illustrator for Android. Other excellent apps include ArtFlow, Ibis Paint, LayerPaint, and Linea Sketch.
Coloring is a simpler drawing activity but can be just as fulfilling. There are so many creatively styled coloring books out there in most major stores and free pages online to print. You can find all subjects to color from nature to mythology to fractal shapes. Coloring helps to calm the nerves and quiet the mind. Using vibrant colors with sharp-tipped crayon or colored pencils is both fun and soothing.
Music as a hobby offers so many options. One instrument you take with you everywhere you go is your voice. Try singing in the shower or your car (if you don’t already). You can even sign up for singing lessons. If singing isn’t your forte then try guitar, conga, piano, or ukulele. There are so many rhythms, tones, and harmonies in music that help resonate with the human condition we are all in. Music can help us express our innermost emotions and ideas. Here is a link to a song I love played on the ukulele. The artist, Israel Kamakawiwoole has passed away now. This song takes you places!
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The Power to Heal
That beautiful video and song from the island was amazing. Within music, art, cooking, writing, reading, hiking, and other hobbies and activities lies creativity, inspiration, and healing. Engaging in something you can become passionate about is truly uplifting! You can also connect with others who are exploring creative and healing paths.
Question for Reflection: What is your favorite hobby or extra-curricular activity that bring you health and enjoyment? Why does it bring you such enjoyment?
Helpful Links
The I Don’t Know How to Cook Book by Mary-Lane Kamberg
This app connects you to hiking trails near you.