Flashback - October 02, 2007 - Bored?

October 02, 2007

Bored?

Does being bored mean you're boring or is it something else? We have come a long way since prehistoric days where men had to live on the edge of their seat.

Would Adam be bored? I wouldn't be bored if i had tigers breathing down my neck and monkeys trying to steal my bananas. Well i'd suspect that the animals weren't half as wild as they were those days, nevertheless boredom seems to be a disease inflicted by mankind's need for comfort and time.

We invent tools and technologies that help reduce effort and time spent to invent more tools and technologies to spend the saved time and effort. Ironic isn't it?

So is boredom a good thing or a bad thing? In face of our superficial society it gives an impression that busy is good, Busy=Useful, Bored/Free time= Loafer. What utter rubbish. The whole problem with society these days isn't due in part to their boredom but rather their association with busyness.

Boredom is a state where one has free time but nothing to fill it with. The question here is, is it void that must be filled or should it be filled so it doesn't become a void. Is it a gift or is it a curse? Both are conditioning's of the mind, an example of the half full and the half empty glass scenario.

It's blank moment of time where we are able to consciously fill with whichever purpose we desire or deem necessary. So why does it seem like a curse instead of a blessing? Is it the indoctrination of uselessness than we run to fill our voids with emptiness? Is that the reason why we feel we never have enough time because we often run off doing things that we do not desire but are compelled in view of society's image?

I consider boredom a blessing. It's like a wild card in UNO, you choose any colour you like. Be it to help someone, bless someone, rest, talk to someone, read a book, etc. The freedom of flexibility it offers is limitless. It's often during periods of boredom where i find true inspiration, i notice someone in need, i pray for someone and do something especially gratifying.

So the next time you feel bored, don't rush to fill your time up with useless garbage. Instead enjoy the freedom and flexibility offered. Here are somethings you can do when you are bored :-

Stuff

Read a book- I can't state how much a book enriches you over a t.v programme, you could try reading LOTR instead of watching it on t.v . One hour of reading beats 10hours of t.v time as reading engages the mind, fuels your imagination and takes you on a journey, i could state numerous benefits reading as a habit would bring but i'll let you have that pleasure. So next time you are bored read a book.

Learn Something New- Remember how you were so excited to get the new ball or bicycle as a child? Renew the kid in you, learn new stuff be it skills or an experience. It's enriching and gratifying.

Observe/Appreciate your surroundings- We often take for granted the many things in life, it's like we fast forward ourselves each time to the next event or item. One of the things i treasure in life is the ability to appreciate the beauty around me. Ever stopped in your garden and pause to listen, breathe, sense and just gaze at the amazing things you never noticed? Crickets chirping, little caterpillars crawling, fresh morning dew from leaves, a spider's web. The creativity of sign boards, from the enormous buildings to tiny ones, the old to brand new ones. Best of all people, people around you, how they interact, how they react, the little gestures they make, the emotions they feel the buzz all around. It's amazing how much you notice if you just stop and pause appreciate your surroundings.

Help Someone- Volunteer for charity work, visit orphanages, be involve in church activities, etc. It's gratifying, it's an experience you'll just have to try to find out!

Talk to Someone- Ever felt lonely or bored? Well don't wait for someone to call you, call someone instead! That way you can enrich someones life and enrich your own life!

Sports/Exercise- Being a sports junkie, i could eat, sleep and breathe sports so don't listen to me try it yourself. Be active in a sports you like, you will find yourself amazed with the extra energy levels you will gain in return. Plus the feel good feeling you get, cut the excuses and "Just Do It"!

Think of Something to Do- This is a free slate, it amazes me sometimes when i see how little we use that brain of ours. I mean come on people, who invented football? Who invented t.v programmes, radio and internet? Aliens? Think of something, express your creativity!

There are so many things to do now, there's no excuse to sit and mope around! Be proactive, "Just Do it"! =P