Hobbies and Past Time

This is an exert from the book "A Meaningful Life" by Nikkyo Niwano.

For someone who cannot find fulfillment in his/her job, if the hobby is not well chosen his/her life might be insipid.

He (she) must choose his hobby or leisure past time carefully with the following criteria in mind. First, it must be something worthy of his total devotion, something to give meaning to his life. Second, it must be something with appeal to last a lifetime. Third, it must be something that, while elevating his own personality, makes a contribution, even a small one, to the world at large.

If you are like me, you will probably find these statement very eloquent, but not really answering your questions. I think anyone would like to find meaning and fulfillment in what he/she does.

But it seems that to me and the people around me it its the first part, that "meaningful" something, that is hard to find; be it as work or past time.

While I don't know if it is "meaningful" , or "makes a contribution to the world" to me Kendo seems to be an answer that matches most points. It is meaningful in the sense that it provides for physical exercise that I don't get anywhere else. It offers a "mental education/strengthening" in that particular way Japanese martial arts do. Also, providing I have a Kendo club close to where I live, I can pursue Kendo for as long as my body lets me. Finally, if I do get better at at Kendo, I suppose I could make my "small contribution" by helping new people at Kendo. (Image taken from this website.)