Today's world is extremely busy and stressful, with very little time for leisure and recreation. Even if we manage to find some free time, majority of us tend to turn our homes into hives of worry and tension, as more often than not, we are unable to find a productive activity in which we can engage our minds. Cultivating a hobby can help us to a large extent in such a situation. A hobby is essentially an activity that we can do in our leisure time, so that we can engage ourselves in something that pleases us. Engaging in a hobby can help relieve stress and lighten our moods. Different people engage in different kinds of hobbies, according to their personal likes and dislikes. Interestingly, some of the most important collections of antiques, or the most popular dishes in the world, or even the most valued works of art have been credited to those people who were, in fact, just nurturing their favorite hobbies. That is to say that engaging in a particular hobby for a substantial period of time, may indeed lead the hobbyist to becoming as skilled as a professional, and his/her creations might indeed be valuable for society in the long run. Hobbies, as expressions of one's passion and creativity, hold a very important place in a person's life. They are beneficial to the hobbyist in more ways than one. For one, hobbies are those activities which people choose to do, and not which they have to do. There is a lot of difference between wanting to do something and having to do it. We want to do only those things that we like to do, things that give us pleasure and peace of mind. Hobbies have an inherent quality of keeping us entertained for long hours. They elevate our spirits, and keep us happy. And obviously, when we are happy, we tend to spread the same feeling all around us. This is the magic of hobbies. Here's why hobbies hold an important place in our lives. Engaging in a favorite hobby can be an extremely relaxing and fulfilling experience. Because a hobby is something that a person likes to do, it acts as a good distraction from everyday tensions, frustrations, and 'feel blue' factors. A hobby imparts an inner tranquility to a person, and fills his/her mind with positive thoughts. This way, an individual tends to be in a better position to seek out ways to overcome his/her worries, and handle work and family pressures. The time devoted to pursuing an individual's hobby is his/her own time. It is like having an appointment with oneself, with no outer disturbance whatsoever. This is the time when a person can connect and communicate with the self. In this private time, a person can do whatever he/she likes, and the way he/she wishes. Doing things according to one's own wish, gives an individual, a sense of inner satisfaction, and also helps cultivate self-confidence. Because a number of people are often left with too little to do in too much time (especially after retirement), they tend to depend on external means of entertainment, such as TV, Internet, or friends. On the contrary, if a person engages in a hobby, he does not need any other means of entertainment. He can take full control of his time, and spend it the way he wants. There is quite often a possibility that a person is interested in a certain activity, but has never had a chance to actually try it. If a person pursues his interest as his hobby, it is but obvious that he will engage in it with utmost interest and dedication. So, even if a person has never tried a certain thing before, he can still learn to do it, and may also achieve expertise in the same. Thus, the hobbyist's hidden talents can be discovered, and this can make him/her feel extremely proud and satisfied. It is human nature to try to know more about the things that we like. The moment we pursue some activity as our favorite hobby, we tend to gather more knowledge about the same. Be it gardening, cooking, painting, or philately, we always try to get a deeper understanding of what we are doing, so that we can do it with more precision. Other than reading books and articles on the subject, we also happen to meet people with a similar taste, but sometimes, possessing immense knowledge in their hobby. Thus, apart from acquiring knowledge, hobbies also provide us with a chance to meet people, who share similar likes and dislikes with us. Cultivating a hobby is a great way to give way to one's creative thinking. The hobbyist can actually transform his creative thoughts into reality. And, because one does it simply for pleasure and recreation, he does not have to worry about what others may think or say of his creation. Putting thoughts into reality is also an amazing way to release negativity out of oneself. Plus, people who might see the hobbyist's creations, may as well appreciate them. Many people who have acquired enough skills in a particular field owing to their hobby, have not hesitated to transform their hobby into a full-fledged profession. Nothing can be more enjoyable and rewarding than pursuing a career in a field that one likes. Added to this, many creative works of art, created by hobbyists turned professionals, have achieved name and fame, and even great monetary value. Irrespective of what our hobbies are, they can be cultivated at any age; as a child or as an adult. However, if a person begins at a young age, he can get more time to experience the joys of his favorite pursuit. The hobby tends to grow with the person, and someday, may also take him/her to great heights.