Author: Dr. Gloria K Vanderhorst

HOBBIES

Expression, Adventure, and the Emotional Power of Leisure

Hobbies aren’t just pastimes—they’re portals to identity. For individuals in Maryland and DC, this reflection explores how hobbies offer emotional nourishment, creative freedom, and a sense of purpose beyond survival.

Hobbies are a luxury spawned by free time away from making a living or working on your farm, servitude, or profession. Of course, royalty always had hobbies because they had servants and farmhands to do all the work. The elite filled their days with hobbies. Today, we have large stores and markets devoted to hobbies. We have leisure time and enjoy a variety of hobbies, from reading interesting books to creating art to building furniture and sculpture.

Not all hobbies are indoor activities. Birdwatching, photography, and hunting are all popular hobbies. Anything can turn into a hobby. You could collect leaves, bugs, or rocks. You could embroider hankies or knit scarves and hats. You could build doll furniture and miniature trains to run on tracks in your basement.

The beauty of a hobby is that it is an expression of your inner self. Are you an artist? A builder? An arborist? A plant enthusiast? A music lover or a player? A book lover? Anything is possible.

The act of having time to pursue something that is not necessary for survival is quite new. Our ancestors had to raise crops, husband animals, and gather food to survive. The luxury of having time to do anything other than provide for your family is really quite rare.

Unless you were part of the royalty, hobbies were not in your vocabulary. Now almost everyone has a hobby. Some study facts in hopes of landing a spot on a well-known television show like Jeopardy. Some enjoy the outdoors through golfing or hunting. Some stick to the safer environment of bowling. Others enjoy archery or horseback riding. Any possible sport is available.

Many enjoy a time of pleasure from their favorite recliner as they engage in stamp collecting or various other forms of collecting. My mother used to collect cream pitchers. She must have had more than a hundred of them. Some were exquisite, some were kitschy, and some were fit for royalty. She loved the process, and the stories that went along with each treasure were always fascinating.

The act of collecting may not be about the object. Collecting may be about the adventure. I know that my mother’s pitcher collection was a history of travel, and stopping at antique stores throughout the country in search of the next treasure. The adventure was often more important than the object.

Adventure is an interesting concept. At first, one thinks of foreign travel or treasure hunting. Yes, that is truly adventure. However, adventure can happen much closer to home.

I remember our daughter playing in the “woods” at the edge of our property, building villages, and burying treasure. She and the young boy who lived behind us spent hours playing in the borders of trees and bushes. There may be treasure buried in those parts of the landscaping to this day.

Want to explore how hobbies support emotional well-being and personal growth? Visit Reality Pathing’s guide to nurturing emotional health through hobbies, Utah State University’s insights on hobbies and mental health, and Harvard Health’s research on hobbies and happiness.

If you’re reflecting on creativity, emotional connection, or the joy of leisure, therapy can help. Learn more about individual therapy in Maryland and DC or explore therapeutic approaches that support insight, balance, and personal fulfillment.

Evening Breezes, Garden Chimes, and the Invitation to Be Present

Sound is more than sensation, it’s memory, mood, and movement. For individuals in Maryland and DC, this reflection captures the emotional richness of evening soundscapes and how nature’s quiet chorus invites us into deeper presence and connection.

The weather in the DC area has been cool enough to sit outside in the evening. We have a screened-in porch, so we do not have to swat mosquitoes or other creatures and can enjoy the sights and sounds of the evening.

First, the light has changed. The harshness of the sun is now subdued as it slowly moves below the neighbor’s roof. We sit in a location that is not oriented directly east–west or north–south, although the street names have North and South at the end. So, we have the inevitable skirmish about what direction the next sound is coming from or which airport the plane must be heading to. We also have a large rug on the floor with a giant compass painted on it, and the carpet is oriented correctly.

I should give up my protest that north does not look north to me.
The lilies in the garden give off this luscious spicy scent, and if you listen closely, they are making a little swishing sound as they move in the breeze. The Japanese Maple rustles as each leaf nudges the one next to it to move and dance.

One of my favorite sounds is the large metal chime that hangs from the pergola. A slight breeze will cause the clapper to touch the side of the bell and softly resonate with a deep, resonant tone. The sound is gentle and inviting, as if it is saying, Get out of your chair and come into the garden. There are more than sounds to be had here.

Put your nose into the roses and cup your hand around the anemones as they sway in the breeze. You are missing so much by staying in that chair. Then my attention turns to the river birches along the fence line. These trees are gorgeous with their peeling bark and long, slender trunks that reach for the sky. Their branches sway with the breezes that you would feel along a stream or river. They entertain with their movement and invite you to leave the safety of the patio. They could easily be your dance partner on the lawn.

Sometimes, I wish the evening would go on forever.

Want to explore how sound enhances emotional connection in gardens? Visit Live to Plant’s guide to multi-sensory garden design, American Gardener’s overview of sensory gardens, and Paths of Learning’s ideas for using natural sounds in sensory exploration.

If you’re reflecting on presence, sensory experience, or emotional grounding, therapy can help. Learn more about individual therapy in Maryland and DC or explore therapeutic approaches that support mindfulness, healing, and connection.

Craft, Commitment, and the Courage to Be Seen

Busking isn’t just street music, it’s a public declaration of passion. For individuals in Maryland and DC, this reflection honors Marty Rafferty’s record-breaking performance and invites us to consider how we show up for our own craft, and for others.

Do you know what this word means?

I had never heard of it until watching the BBC News today. While doing my morning exercises, I enjoy listening to the BBC News, and suddenly the MC starts talking about a guitarist breaking a record.

That piques my interest because I used to play the guitar and enjoyed it very much.

I have lived for decades. Why have I never heard of this word? Okay, there are probably many words I have never heard of. That should be okay. The world is full of words. I cannot realistically know every word.

Busking is the act of playing music on the street corner. Before yesterday, the world record for busking was 26 hours. Yesterday, a guitarist in Ireland broke the record by playing for 30 hours.

Here is a guy who does not just break the record. I mean, you could break the record by one minute, but he went above and beyond. He went 30 hours straight with brief breaks for self-care. And he had a broken thumb. Who does that?

He is devoted to his craft and brought attention to his work. I admire that devotion and hope that the attention meets his goals. So, today, I honor Marty Rafferty for his dedication to his craft.

How are we all doing in bringing attention to our craft? What is your craft? Where do you place your energy, and how does it benefit others?

Who among you would set out to break a record and then go on to accomplish it? There is actually a record for blog writing! Darren Murph from the US wrote 17,212 blogs as of 2010. He averaged writing 12 blogs a day. Now, as a writer, I can tell you that the pace of 12 a day would be exhausting. To average that over years of writing would make my head spin. So, do not expect me to challenge the record.

However, I am curious about the people who devise these challenges. Marty Rafferty accepted his guitar-playing challenge to raise money for a charity. His motivation was to buy toys for children at Christmas. I think that is lovely.

Regardless of your background or heritage, the thought of a smile on a child’s face at Christmas is a joy. His effort brought worldwide attention to his cause. The world needs this type of attention.

If you’re reflecting on purpose, creativity, or how to share your gifts with the world, therapy can help. Learn more about individual therapy in Maryland and DC or explore therapeutic approaches that support clarity, passion, and meaningful contribution.

BATTERIES, BATTERIES, BATTERIES!

Power, Chaos, and the Electrified Life We Lead

From laptops to landlines, batteries are the unsung heroes of modern life. For individuals in Maryland and DC, this reflection explores how battery-powered living shapes our routines, our frustrations, and our environmental footprint.

Just about everything runs on batteries or can run on batteries. Of course, my cell phone runs on a battery, which I have heard can catch fire and terrify you. My computer runs on batteries, and my computer guy tells me not to keep my computer plugged in. Apparently, if I keep my computer plugged in all the time I am working, my batteries can start to grow and swell. Who knew!!?? So now, while working all day, I am conscious of unplugging the thing until the little battery icon gets really skinny! Of course, I failed to tell the computer guru that I had this laptop for at least 6 years and had kept it plugged in all the time, and my batteries had not gotten pregnant. But, what do I know?

I saw an ad on the television for this cool-looking battery box. It looks to be the size of a placemat and has many compartments of different sizes for the various sizes of batteries that one must keep around the house. We have a wire bin filled with plastic bags to organize the different sizes. But I must admit that I envied that plastic box. Just think of it! I could carry all of my batteries around the house and replace everything. Maybe I should put things on a replacement schedule and go for it.

Batteries power everything. Batteries power the new security door knob that we have. Of course, the landline handsets are full of batteries. I know, I know, we should have gotten rid of the landline long ago. Given our age, the only callers are scammers with weird accents. How in the world does anyone get fooled by these people? You can barely understand what they are saying. We have a weather station that runs on batteries. Automatic shades. Remotes for the TV.

I can easily imagine a landfill full of old batteries. If I counted the batteries in this place, I would be shocked. What happens to old batteries anyway? I know some of them say they can be recycled. I think that means they get smashed to bits, and the valuable metals in them get sorted out. The rest end up in the landfill. I can imagine numerous “battery hills.”

Oh, and the car! You guessed it. The car battery died this morning. Usually, our Saturdays are laid back, and we tend to go nowhere. This Saturday we had plans and places we were expecting to go, starting around 9 am. Had to dump them all. Fortunately, the AAA guy arrived within about 45 minutes, although the wait time was advertised as up to 4 or 5 hours. Several hundreds of dollars later, we will be good to go.

We are all charged up and can expect a good 3 years before the thing gives out again. I guess that is a pretty long life for a car battery.

Want to explore how battery recycling impacts the environment and supports sustainability? Visit Electronics360’s guide to second-life battery applications, Stanford’s research on battery recycling and emissions, and Greenly’s breakdown of battery carbon footprints.

If you’re reflecting on sustainability, frustration, or the electrified pace of life, therapy can help. Learn more about individual therapy in Maryland and DC or explore therapeutic approaches that support emotional insight and environmental awareness.

Campfires, Candlelight, and the Many Ways We Wander

Travel isn’t one-size-fits-all, it’s a reflection of who we are and what we need. For individuals in Maryland and DC, this reflection explores the contrast between rustic camping and refined leisure, honoring both the grit of childhood adventures and the grace of grown-up getaways.

Summer is a popular time for travel, and we are coming to the end. Some families will soon be making their last trip to Ocean City. Some are overseas trekking through mountains and valleys or getting in line to enter the Louvre on the first round so they can spend as much time in the museum as possible. Cameras are clicking, children are melting down, and memories are being made. Let’s hope yours will be good stories to bring home.

As a child, our family spent time camping in August at a crystal-clear lake in Michigan. We could reach the place by car, so the cost was minimal. We did tent camping, so the nightly fee was State Park cheap. We hauled a boat behind the car, so skiing and racing on the water was a thrill. As children, we were convinced that this was the best place ever and we enjoyed returning year after year.

State Parks are a bargain for vacations. There are 63 State Parks in the U.S. Think about that. You could hit one a year and spend time with your children, then your grandchildren, and perhaps your great-grandchildren. And you could reach any one of them by car with your boat in tow.

Campgrounds are available in most of our National Parks so that you can vacation cheaply. Your tent can be practically any size. Our neighbors have four children and a tent that rivals a wedding venue. When they come home, the tent has to be cleaned, of course, so it is set up in the backyard where it looks like it could cover a quarter of an acre. Of course, I realize that it is not that big, but trust me, it’s enormous.

I admire my parents for taking on this summer process. I admire my neighbors for their camping expertise as well. But camping is not for me. I do not want to be digging trenches in the rain to keep the tent dry. I do not want to be fighting with the charcoal to light so that eggs and bacon can be fried for the family horde in the morning. I do not want to string a clothesline between two trees for bathing suits to dry in the breeze.

I want to sit by the pool, have lunch in a lovely restaurant, shop along the streets in all of the boutiques, and have a candlelight dinner on the hotel patio. Am I spoiled? Yes. Have I paid my dues to the camping gods? Yes.

Want to explore which travel style suits you best? Visit Vacationment’s guide to backpacking vs luxury travel, Bamba Travel’s breakdown of camping vs glamping, and Euphoric Outfits’ comparison of outdoor vacation styles.

If you’re reflecting on travel preferences, family rituals, or emotional renewal, therapy can help. Learn more about individual therapy in Maryland and DC or explore therapeutic approaches that support insight, joy, and self-discovery.

CRYING

Tears, Transition, and the Healing Power of Emotion

Crying isn’t weakness—it’s wisdom. For individuals in Maryland and DC, this reflection explores how tears mark life’s transitions, release emotional tension, and connect us to our deepest selves.

When a baby is born, they cry. Are they crying in anger, fear, shock, or grief? Maybe they are experiencing all of these at once. After all, they have just been pushed or pulled from a cozy environment where they were floating around in a bubble filled with liquid. Granted, the bubble is clearly crowded, and they should be ready to exit, but… the experience of protection and ease is inviting, and they may long to stay for an extended time. Alas, this is not possible. So out they come into this bright, chilly, chaotic delivery room.

Crying is a sign of life and is genuinely welcome. The delivery room staff says the more robust, the better. They like to see that baby protest the change with vigor, which makes me wonder how I react to change. We all tend to get comfy and cozy in our routines and favorite places. Like the infant in utero, we like our safe spaces and gravitate there when we need comfort or peace. For many of us, our beds are that comfort spot. Perhaps you have a sitting nook where you read, contemplate, or pray. Many take to the outdoors for comfort. A walk in the woods or hanging out by the neighborhood stream can bring peace. The water flow undoubtedly takes us back to that safe space in the womb.

Crying has a valuable place in our lives. Crying is a natural reaction to pain, both physical and mental. Tears serve to cleanse us and release the pain we are carrying inside. Some of us, men in particular, have learned to block that naturally healing reaction. The infant shows us how natural it is to cry under stress and change. Tears are nature’s healing mechanism. Tears help to open parts of us that have been contained, boxed, and sometimes forgotten. We were born with this capability, which is the first way we interact with the world around us. Tears should be welcomed and understood.

Tears are not just water. They are a complex mixture. Sure, water is primary, but did you know that tears also contain proteins, lipids, mucin, antibodies, stress hormones, and natural painkillers? Yikes! That is quite a list. Those things are complicated and designed for a variety of functions. It sounds to me like these are valuable. Perhaps facing change does deserve a good cry!

Want to explore how tears support emotional healing and resilience? Visit Psychology Today’s guide to emotional tears and trauma recovery, BetterHelp’s overview of crying therapy, and Inner Researcher’s reflections on the healing power of tears.

If you’re reflecting on emotional release, change, or resilience, therapy can help. Learn more about individual therapy in Maryland and DC or explore therapeutic approaches that support emotional insight and healing.

Time, Tradition, and the Quiet Power of Ritual

In a world that moves fast, winding a mantle clock is a gentle rebellion, a way to honor the past, embrace presence, and mark time with intention. This reflection invites readers in Maryland and DC to consider the emotional resonance of small rituals and the legacy they carry.

My grandparents were Indiana farmers. They started their married lives in a lean-to on a hectare of land. That is about the size of three football fields. Stop and think about this. Indiana is not on the beach or in the sunny south. Summers are hot, and winters are filled with snow and ice. They started their married life in a lean-to, one open side and a slanting roof that hit the ground on the opposite side. I have no idea how they survived even one winter. I know the following structure was a shed for animals and them as well, and that relatives were called upon to help put the building up. They call it a “barn-raising,” and everyone comes to help. The men do the heavy work, and the women feed them. Living in the barn was common until the farm made enough money to put up a house.

One of the first items that my grandmother splurged on once the house was built was a mantle clock. You have probably seen many of these. They come in a variety of shapes, and the winders are rods that poke through the face of the clock. One winder is for the hands so that they move in time. One winder is for the chime that strikes the hour and the half hour. Some clocks will strike the quarter hour as well.

The clock was a sign of prosperity. If you were wealthy, you would get a grandfather clock. Most farmers had mantle clocks. My grandmother’s clock chimed the quarter hour and donged the hours. The thing ran all the time. That means if you slept at grandmother’s, you were doomed to hear the chimes every 15 minutes all night long. Somehow, your brain adjusted after a few times, and sleeping through the night was easy. Your brain is a fascinating organ that accommodates this disruption and allows for nightly rest.

When you were tall enough and steady enough to stand on a kitchen chair, you could haul the chair into the living room, place it in front of the fireplace, and be trusted to wind the clock. There are two winders and a glass cover that must be opened safely to access them. A large brass key sat behind the clock, so you also had to be tall enough to reach the key before you were trusted to be the winder. The other marvelous thing about this privilege was that you got to replace your older sibling. There are few opportunities for this one-upmanship, so you took every one that you could. The sound of the winder was satisfying. It was a bit like a crank on an old car. You had to be careful to pay attention to the tension increasing as you wound so that you did not stress the spring and ruin the clock.

There are a few rites of passage for a young child, and winding the clock was truly valuable.

Oh, and by the way, I still wind the mantle clock today. So satisfying!

Curious about how these clocks work? Explore Clock Preservation’s guide to winding holes and Bill’s Clockworks instructions for antique American clocks to learn more about the mechanics and care of these timeless treasures.

Rituals like winding a clock can ground us in memory and meaning. If you’re exploring personal history, emotional growth, or family legacy, therapy can help. Learn more about individual therapy in Maryland and DC or explore therapeutic approaches that support healing and insight.

Legacy, Resilience, and the Social Key to Longevity

Some generations carry the weight of history—and the wisdom of it too. For individuals in Maryland and DC, this reflection honors those born between 1930 and 1946, exploring how cultural transformation, technological progress, and social connection shape not only the past, but the future of aging well.

I was born in 1946, a time that historians now call “the best of times.” Those born between 1930 and 1946 belong to an incredibly rare group of which only 1% are still alive today. Those now ages 77 to 93 grew up in a unique time in history.
This was a transformative time including a global economic crisis, a devastating world war, and significant advances in technology and culture that have shaped the world for generations moving forward.

Black-and-white TVs were cutting-edge.
Shopping meant visiting downtown stores.
Polio was a feared disease.

While your parents worked hard to rebuild their lives, you grew up in a world of endless possibilities. You thrived in a time of peace, progress, and security that the world may never see again. You may have grown up in the best of times ever.

Progress was marked by the development of penicillin, radar, and early computers. Jet engines also saw their first use during this period.
A sense of community and the importance of resilience were dominant, and the struggles of ordinary people were highlighted in books and films, as in John Steinbeck’s The Grapes of Wrath.

Kodachrome brought color into filmmaking. Radio offered a diverse range of programming, while the popularity of big band and swing music soared. Disney’s first feature-length animated film, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, premiered in 1937.

And as we have learned today, pockets appeared in dresses. I, for one, cannot live without a pocket in my dress.

The lesson that I want you to pocket today, whether you grew up in the “best of times” or not, is that science now tells us staying young and having a brain that defies aging is highly dependent on our social connections. Deep social, emotional engagement and curiosity about others cause your brain to thrive and remain young.

Your participation in groups is the key to longevity.

Want to explore how social connection supports healthy aging? Visit NIH’s study on social relationships and cognitive aging, Psychology Today’s guide to aging well through connection, and Blue Zones’ insights on social engagement and longevity.

If you’re reflecting on aging, resilience, or emotional connection, therapy can help. Learn more about individual therapy in Maryland and DC or explore therapeutic approaches that support vitality, insight, and lifelong growth.