August 04, 2007

He was watching television when the electricity suddenly went out. He was distraught. ‘Now what am I going to do?’ He started waiting for the electricity to come. ‘I have been staring at this clock for a long time and look at it… it has just moved a centimetre!’ He punched the clock that lay on his bedside table hard and started murmuring. ‘Why isn’t time passing? I have nothing else to do in life but to wait for some entertainment that never comes my way and TV is my only source of amusement.’ He folded his arms around his legs and hid his face in utter boredom.

Just then, a sweet melodious singing voice struck his ear. Recognising it, he got up. “What is she up to? How come she never gets bored?” He peeked into his sister’s room and found her sketching something on a paper. “What’s up, sis?” He inquired.

“Well, I have participated in the drawing competition; the theme for which is 'Environmental Protection'. Look, what do you think?” She held her poster vertically in her hands and asked for his opinion. “It’s wonderful! How did you do this?”

Sensing his interests, she began, “I searched for ideas and inspiration from my surroundings, from books and from the Internet and when I had enough ideas I converted them into my creativity, which you can very well see.” She was proud of her work.

“And what are these?” he pointed at a basket full of hand-made colourful greeting cards. His sister smiled and replied; “Actually my friends and I have decided to open a stall at the school in which we will keep hand-made things for sale. I have made greeting cards, Hiba has painted pottery, Amna has made dry flower arrangements, Maheen has developed jewellery from wire and artificial pearls, and others have done glass painting as well as fabric painting on duppattas. We’ll keep them on sale and earn money. You know I am saving money to buy a camera. I want to capture nature and develop post cards.” His sister got excited with the fact that somebody was taking interest in her work.

“But what should I do? My drawing isn’t so good and these are girlish activities? My exams are over and I have nothing to do to kill my boredom. Electricity has gone and with that my only source of joy — television,” he explained in frustration.

“I am amazed! Boys have so much to do. Why are you wasting your time watching television? There is so much more in life to be explored than watching senseless programmes on TV. You must utilise your time in something constructive. Let me think… umm what about designing a website on some informative topic? Or may be … Aha! Got it!” her eyes twinkled, “What about cricket? I have heard our school is conducting trial matches to select boys for a championship going to be held in Sri Lanka. You used to play cricket before this cable was connected to our TV and I know you were very good at it. I recommend that you should join the practice matches. Sports are good for health and then Insha Allah when you get selected, you will get a chance to visit a place outside Pakistan, and imagine you will be representing Pakistan. How proud you would feel?”

“It sounds interesting! Surely I would love to and guess what; I am leaving right now to get my name registered! Thanks sis!” He stood up to leave.

“Hey by the way, when you come back, please help me out in editing these write-ups, I have selected for the school’s newsletter.” His sister called out behind him.

“What are you? You surely kept yourself busy during the holidays,” He shouted out to her in amazement shutting the door behind him.

They say, ‘An idle mind is a devil’s workshop’ so in order to evade yourself from punching a clock, consider taking up a hobby if you don’t already have one, and discover what stimulation each day can bring. Constructive activities do improve our quality of life. Would it not improve our quality of life to get involved in something that we enjoy?

Seventeen-year-old Ahmer has pursued ‘Tourism’ as his hobby. He visited lots of places during his vacations and he writes a review on each place he visits. In the same way, 11-year-old, Samiya likes to plant rare flowers in her garden. She said that through this hobby, she has come to know a lot about the nature of different plants and lifecycle of different species of flora. She finds her hobby quite interesting and recommends it to others as well. Hobbies are not restricted for children only, as 32-year-old Mrs Bilal has been knitting sweaters and crocheting rugs as she believes she is very good at needle work. Not to forget many novelist and play writers like Noor-ul-Huda Shah, Umera Ahmed, Nayyar Mukhtar, Zoya Hassan who have instilled a positive thinking among youth with their inspiring concepts and work. Writing is their hobby but this type of hobby not only soothes their feelings, but it also becomes a source of improvement for the society.

Hobbies can be one way to encourage someone who hates school to start enjoying learning and finding a new route to education. They can be an applicable means of self-expression and a key to unlocking creative and problem-solving skills. It’s all about meeting new people, about setting new challenges and finding new ways of belonging. You have to feel smart and you have to think smart otherwise you would be a dumb person, who has never felt the joy of self-accomplishment. If you really want to do something in life then go ahead! The decision is totally yours!