You have possibly (or maybe even probably if you subscribe to mineral and related magazines) read at least an article or two about why people collect minerals.  Have you ever stopped to thing about why "you" collect minerals 

(or fossils or anything...) ?   Or why you might want to collect minerals, fossils and so forth?
 

In one of my more philosophical moments I decided to give it some thought and see if and what I could come up with as an answer for myself...  More specifically why I field collect minerals.
 

I started with making a list of possible purposes for field collecting, something like this:
 

educational

excitement of finding something (the thrill of discovery)

excitement of being able to show and tell

exercise

recreation

going to the cave, escape (getting away from it all)

appreciation for the outdoors, nature, the seasons, weather

exploration

adventure

self-discipline and perseverance

anticipation

meeting people and making friends

sharing experiences

dream of the big discovery

relaxation (stress reducer)

going places you would not otherwise go

supporting mineral purchases by selling what you find

enlarging your collection

seeing nature's beauty

understanding mineral environments

understanding geology

learning new skills

getting really sweaty and dirty

getting really cold and dirty

testing your limits

satisfaction from the effort made

competition

just getting dirty
 

Field collecting  can be all of these and much more.  And at various times and/or on various collecting trips or various collecting places more so one reason or reasons rather than another or others.  Some collecting locations just really lend themselves much more to one purpose rather than another. 

But in the end it seems the most lasting and meaningful aspect are the exchanges with friends and those you meet.  This in turns is what leads to the memories and experiences you gain through collecting.
 

One of the best examples of good news/bad news situation for a mineral collector is finding some really great mineral specimen but not having anyone to show it to right then and there.  It is an experience that just begs for sharing.  Don't get me wrong I am still very happy to have found the nice specimen whether or not I am able to immediately share it with someone or not.   It sure makes it better however to have someone to share it with, do the high five and so forth.
 

At times and from many peoples' perspective our hobby (or more particularly parts of it i.e. especially field collecting) is a little strange; and, we in turn are a little strange to some people.  I suppose I can understand their perspective in a way.  So many do not understand why we would want to put so much effort and energy into breaking rocks or digging for rocks.  And of course there are the days where you find little or nothing and you start to wonder yourself about what it is that you are doing and why.  But there is one thing for sure i.e. there are some really great things about a hobby that can draw people, who are so diverse, together to share in so many ways.  This includes sharing some great collecting experiences.  We can and do forget our differences if we even notice them in the first place.  This is something we should  probably do more of throughout our life.  Stop making judgments about people and enjoy our similarities.  We have a lot more in common than we often realize.
 

So keep on collecting if you do, or discover collecting and be receptive to all it can be for you and your fellow collectors.  Everybody and anybody can bring something to the experience.
 

Finally the other really rewarding aspect of field collecting is a greater appreciation for nature in all its glory.  This is one more pursuit that God has given us in our world to enjoy.