“I’ve got nothing to do, I’m so bored…”
Kids say it all the time and they can be forgiven, as they’ve yet to discover the fruits that the tree of life has to offer.
Fully-grown adults who say it, though; I’ve got some bad news for you. You’re not bored… you’re actually boring.
It’s time to step up.
We live in a fast-paced, information-laden society that’s somewhat impossible to escape.
The noise is constant and it’s relentless. If anything, the complaint should be that there’s too much to do (and not enough time to do it). – not that there isn’t anything sufficient available.
We could watch any movie or read any book out there.
We have access to free online resources for intellectual growth and bridges for human connection, such as learning new languages, free Yoga lessons. (Don’t mistake that rant for me being a proponent of more internet use – get outside into the real world too if you can).
Yet we somehow manage to whine about being bored.
Criminal.
Absolutely criminal!
Boredom tends to be a disease of the privileged. Check out this video of children in rural China who had made a pool table with rocks and bricks. The little legends:
When I visited Myanmar in 2013 I made friends with a local who said he wanted to show me the “real Burma”. I found out later that this was a euphemism for poverty.
I’ll never forget the image of the cute little Burmese girl splashing in a puddle outside a hut, playing with her dog and the sound of pure joy emanating from her beaming smile.
If this girl saw all the doors that are open to us in the West and then heard us complain about being bored, she’d consider us certifiably insane.
But don’t worry. You’re not insane – you’re just boring! Chin up though, it’s curable.
Every day that we wake up is a new chance to make choices to make sure we live a life that’s worth living and far from boring. We can all be forgiven for being bored now and then, but if it’s a constant complaint we need to get to the crux of the matter.
If you’re constantly bored, ask yourself if you’re in the right career.
Find reasons why you should leave your hometown if it’s no longer inspiring you.
Ask yourself if you’re in the right relationship.
Ask yourself if the people in your social circle share the same core values as you and assess whether you feel better or worse after spending time with them.
Be honest, ask yourself if you’ve waved the white flag early on and have accepted a substandard life.
Do some real honest soul-searching to work out why you don’t live a life that excites you on a regular basis.
And of course, always ask yourself; “am I bored, or am I just being boring?”
