To MasterJuggler98, An "Unhealthy Obsession" usually involves focusing on one thing to the exclusion of almost all else, resulting in a detrimental situation. Do the Olympic or professional athletes have an "Unhealthy Obsession"? How about World Class Musicians? Award winning programmers? Doctors and surgeons? How about Artists, Artisans, Craftsmen, Scientists, Inventors, Captains of Industry? I think the words like, dedicated, focused, committed, specialist, excellence might be better used.
If you chose to learn something, it's simple knowledge, if you become fascinated with or compelled by it, perhaps it speaks of your commitment to a hobby, sport, art, craft, or whatever. I see it as more of an expression of who and what you are, than a symptom or a malady. Perhaps you should remind those who are "nay sayers" that this hobby/sport involves:
1. Art - in other words to create something.
2. Nature Studies - You become focused on your environ, and all in it.
3. Outdoor Activity - You are outside (away from the computer & TV).
4. Woodcraft - You create "hides" and "ghillies", you exist in nature.
5. Social Skills - You meet fun and interesting people from all walks of life, and bounce a biodegradable BB off them, then become friends.
6. History & Modern History - You are immersed in hobby/craft/sport that has been in existence since the first caveman stalked his food-prey hidden by bushes or cloaked in an animal skin. You are experiencing a craft that helped create a nation during war.
7. Physics - You are learning or are applying your physics skills with each shot you take.
8. Chemistry - You are learning the art of dyeing, and no doubt learning how to acquire natural dyes, and fire retardants.
9. Patience - A lifelong skill that far too many people will never learn.
10. Rudimentary Tailor Skills - If you build your ghillie yourself.
(I could go on, ad nauseum)
Separate and away from the above. You are learning a skill that will serve you well throughout your life and may someday save your life. With the exception of Airsoft being a nonlethal sport and non food procuring craft, you are learning skills taught to every frontier child less than 200 years ago.
"Unhealthy?" Perhaps you best set these folks down and let them watch the nature channel, particularly any show that highlights predator young at "play", learning the skills that will let their species survive. Do they want a sheep for a son/daughter? The name of the game is confidence, confidence that comes with the acquisition of knowledge & skills, and practicing those skills. There is nothing you learn here, that cannot be applied to business or life in general.
"Unhealthy"? Ya, right.
. Even in normal life, our skills come in to play!
