Ask HN: What do you do outside of work that really drives and inspires you?
I probably have too many hobbies. Some techie, others not so. One activity I have enjoyed for nearly twenty years is Schutzhund Obedience training my dogs. I have now gone through this process four times (always German Shepherd Dogs). I find it incredibly rewarding and lots of fun. Nothing like spending a couple of hours at a park training your dog to completely unplug you from the keyboard.
It's even more fun when you get to teach your kids how to train the dogs. For kids this inspires confidence, inner-strength, self-reliance, compassion, understanding and a whole host of other good qualities that you just can't get out of playing video games all day. A dog is almost a perfect mirror of who you are. They reflect how you treat them and how you relate to them. If you are mean they'll be skittish and afraid. If you are firm but fair they'll be confident and willing to do anything you ask. If you are not disciplined and consistent they'll be confused and will not respect you. Too many lessons in just one activity to list here.
If you've never seen Schutzhund, here's a really neat video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RTZmIFdgU2M
I am not affiliated with this dog or this kid at all. I just think this video is a beautiful example of the connection that can be created between a dog an its owner. Keep in mind that in this video she was seven years old. She has full control of a dog that probably weighs nearly twice as much as her and if far stronger.
How about you? What do you do outside of work that might drive you and help you find balance in life?