4. A hobby can be almost anything a person likes to do in his spare time. Hobbyists raise pets, build model ships, weave baskets, watch birds, hunt animals, climb mountains, raise flowers, fish, ski, skate, and swim. Hobbyists also paint pictures, attend concerts and plays, and perform on musical instruments. They collect everything from books to butterflies, and from shells to stamps.
People take up hobbies because these activities offer enjoyment, friendship, knowledge and relaxation. Sometimes they even help people make much money. Hobbies help people relax after periods of hard work. Hobbies also offer interesting activities for persons who have retired (退休). Anyone, rich or poor, old or young, sick or well, can follow a pleased hobby, regardless (不加理会) of his age, position, or income.
Hobbies can help a person's mental and physical health. Doctors have found that hobbies are valuable in helping patients . Many hospitals treat patients (病人) by having them take up interesting hobbies or pastimes.
In early times, most people were too busy making a living to have many hobbies. But today people have more time for hobbies because machines can help people do much jobs. Now many people have developed hobbies. They don't need to worry about what to do when they retire.
Sir William Osler, a famous Canadian doctor, expressed the value of hobbies by saying. "No man is really happy or safe without a hobby. "