Growing up, I was always fascinated by my father's artistic activities in his free time. He had the remarkable ability to transform a simple piece of wood into a masterpiece with the help of a searing tool. The smell of wood emanating from his studio always meant a touch of magic as he created portraits of my mother and me that endure nearly four decades later.

Watching my father's creative process left an indelible mark on me. As I got older, I found my passion for drawing. During class, I would quietly draw on the back of my school notebook, finding solace in the strokes of my pencil. Although I was caught a couple of times, my father, understanding the importance of such moments, never scolded me; instead, he encouraged me to pursue my creative interests in my free time.

Unfortunately, over the years and increasing responsibilities, my creative pursuits have faded into the background. My son recently gave me a drawing for New Years that brought back memories of the joy I found in creativity. It made me realize the therapeutic power of hobbies: they take you out of reality for a while, offering a refreshing break.

However, the challenge many of us face is finding time for our hobbies amid the demands of life. I wonder, dear readers, what are your hobbies? Do you consider them important, and if you had the opportunity, would you change the past to make hobbies your main profession today? I'd love to hear your thoughts.

Yours sincerely,
Doctor Inna