People are endlessly interesting. Everyone has a story, a history, a network, a past, and a future. Each one of us was a cute little baby once, and we've all also had our uglier moments. 

May I suggest a way to entertain yourself endlessly? Learn to initiate new friendships, cultivate old ones, and in short, make a sport of investing your life into the lives of others. 

Sound a little too "touchy-feely?" Maybe. But I give you my personal guarantee that it will be one of the most rewarding, fulfilling, stimulating, interesting, entertaining, and worth-while things you've ever done. It will become your new sport, hobby, pastime, and focus. The more you get interested in others, the more you'll discover about this world in which we live and the better you will understand yourself. 

You're already into this, you say? Fine. Can you step it up a bit? Can you seek to add more value to everyone you meet? Can you grow in your "other-focussedness?" (How's that for a word?) Do so, and you'll never regret it. In fact, I would go so far as to say that you'll never regret the times when you sincerely take an interest in other people. It may not always be returned in kind, it might not appear to bear any fruit whatsoever, but the giving of your attention, affirmation, and appreciation to another human being always boomerangs back around to you.   

Try it and see. I dare you.

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9 responses to “The Most Rewarding Hobby?”

  1. Mrdarin Avatar

    Been teaching this for more than a decade! Great encouragement. “The more you get interested in others, the more you’ll discover about this world in which we live and the better you will understand yourself.” may be the most insightful sentence here! Thanks again!

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  2. Phyllis Hoff Avatar
    Phyllis Hoff

    Chris:
    Great advice, and while you are discovering, you will have so much fun.

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  3. Tonyten Avatar
    Tonyten

    I think that about nails it right on the mark! Didn’t Jesus say in one of the of the two major commands to love others as your yourself?

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  4. Adam Dippold Avatar
    Adam Dippold

    Chris, I have finally realized what it means to have true friends. Friends that just want to get to know you and be your friend with out some hidden agenda. I am in retail sales and the person who trained me how to tell always told me, “make friends with everyone you can, because you never know what you will want from them in the future.” What a bunch of crap! But unfortunately, that’s what I did, and I got good at it. One problem that I noticed with that though is the friendship never went more than skin deep. I ruined a lot of relationships because I chose not to pay attention to those who couldn’t help me get what I wanted, and it took the death of a friend last Oct. to wake me up. Thankfully, God spared some relationships and I have been blessed emotionaly because of them. Thank you for this post. For my self it has been one of the most beautiful pieces you have written.

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  5. Ryan Seewald Avatar

    I agree full heartedly. All of the best things I’ve ever received in life where gained when I gave my full attention to others expecting nothing, (or something other than what i was given) in return. This mostly consisted of Wisdom. Deeper than that though, is the fact that while doing what you are saying we are actually creating subconscious habits of being selfless, giving, positive, and supportive. Threw my own failures and by observing many others, I have found that a low self esteem comes from being habitually Selfish and Negative. So by creating a new habit of doing the opposite (being selfless and positive) you in turn destroy your low-self-esteem.

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  6. John Dickinson Avatar

    Chris,
    Friends are great and when some drift away on their choice, others come to replace them! How intriguing is that?
    Thanks!
    John

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  7. John Mossner Avatar
    John Mossner

    Chris, I’m sitting in a coffee shop that used to be the arcade in which I spent a lot of time (and quarters) with a good friend of mine, back in the 80s. We only see each other once a year maybe, but we jump right in where we left off when we’re together or talk. Think I’ll call him. Thanks for the twitter repost.

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  8. Chad Palmer Avatar
    Chad Palmer

    Chris, thanks for.the reminder, we’re moving home to take care of my parents and staying others-focussedness has been very difficultedness. King Bejamin said that when ye are in the service of your fellow man ye are only in the service of our God. Hope to see you next week at your old house Brother, Julie and I miss you and Terri so much, Godspeed.

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  9. Peggi Avatar

    Thank you, Chris! I learn so much from what you teach! Great article.

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