The question made me wonder a couple of things about our rabbit hobby. First of all, I wonder how many clubs really take the time to think about what makes a really successful rabbit show and then purposefully set out to cover each of those bases.
I have to say that the Sandhills Rabbit Fanciers is one club that I am familiar with that really does put on its thinking cap when planning each and every show. They help keep the satisfaction in showing rabbits and the fun in getting together. I'm already looking forward to the Christmas show - what will I dress my rabbit as this year?
I know there are other clubs out there, not operating on auto-pilot, but rather attempting to make each show they sponsor a great show. I just want to say "Thank You" to each and every club that takes the time to think about, plan, and carry out really fun, satisfying shows.
But I can't depend on others to keep the fun in my hobby. First and foremost, that responsibility is mine.
That brings me to the second thing to wonder about. I suppose I should think about what makes my hobby fun and then periodically check to make sure that I'm including those parts and not letting my hobby get out of balance.
Here, in no particular order, are some of the things that I think are fun about my hobby:
- Traveling with a good friend
- Going out to eat with the gang after a show
- Planning breedings
- Playing with baby rabbits
- Winning with a rabbit that I worked hard to produce
- Helping someone else get their start in rabbits
- Visiting and chatting at shows
- Seeing my plans and goals moving along
- Attending Nationals and Convention
- Learning
I'm not sure that this list is totally complete. I'll be thinking about this more, I'm sure.
Your list may look a lot different than mine. It's not important what's on your list (as long as it is all moral and ethical and in keeping with good sportsmanship!), but I think that it is important that you have a list - either formally written down or floating around in your head. And of the two, it's better to write it down.
Even more important is taking some time periodically to evaluate your hobby. Are you doing the fun parts? Have you gotten bogged down in the not-so-fun parts? Is your hobby so full of cleaning, packing, unpacking, exhaustion, interpersonal strife, fear, and loss that you've lost sight of the fun?
I certainly hope not. I'm not saying that there shouldn't be hard work involved. There should be or the satisfaction wouldn't be nearly so good when things fall your way. And I'm not saying that you can totally avoid stress in our hobby. You have stress any time people are involved, not to mention the little tricks that nature likes to through your way.
But make it your goal to keep fun large and real in your hobby. I think that just keeping tabs on the fun versus not-so-fun ratio can really make a big difference.
Laurie
¶ 8:27 AM
