Advantages of CollectingSome small things are collected deliberately in the home in an attempt to avoid waste. Among these I would list string and brown paper, kept by thrifty people when a parcel has been opened, to save buying these two requisites. However,collecting as a serious hobby is quite different and has many advantages.Firstly, it provides relaxation for leisure hours, just as lookingat one's treasure is always a pleasure. One does not have to go outside for amusement, since the collection is housed at home. Whatever it consists of,stamps, records,pictures, model cars, stuffed birds, toy animals, there is always something to do in connection with it, from finding the right place for the latest addition to verifying facts in reference books. Consequently, one's knowledge expands.Secondly, this hobby educates one not only in the chosen subject, but also in general matters which have some bearing on it, for instance, to meet like-minded collectors, to get advice, to compare ndtes, to show off the latest find, and so on.In this way, one's cirele of friends grows.Thirdly, the hobby soon leads to travel, perhaps to a meeting in another town, possibly a trip abroad in search of rare specimen (for collectors are not confined to one country).Over the years one may Wall become an authority on one's hobby and will very probably be asked to give informal talks to little gatherings and then, if successful, to larger audience. In so doing self-confidence grows, first from mastering a subject,then from being able to talk about it.In conclusion, collecting, by occupying spare time so constructiveiy, makes a person contented, with no time for boredom.
