by Eulalia Prynn

Created on: October 21, 2009

I've always found the concept of boredom to be quite fascinating. How and why does one become "bored"? At times, my own lack of boredom makes me question the actual existence of it. My conclusion? Boredom must be, like so many things, a choice.

When there is a lull in life, do you find yourself feeling "bored"? Do you twiddle your thumbs and wish you were doing something else? I find that there are so many thoughts to think on, so many chores to be done, so many sounds to hear (or not hear), so many new things to learn and discover or blessings to appreciate that well, I don't believe I've found myself to be bored in nearly ten years. And why should I? Life itself simply amazes me; so full of wondrous and interesting concepts and objects and persons. I suppose I'm blessed with a childlike fascination with the world, and life in general.

So, what makes a person bored? What is the definition of boredom, anyway? Being bored is (by dictionary definition - paraphrased, of course): being tired and impatient; being a little annoyed by or tired of some person or situation that one doesn't find to be interesting, exciting, or entertaining.

Hmmm Isn't finding something interesting to excite or entertain yourself completely in your own control? If you are sitting in a quite waiting room with nothing to do and you begin to feel bored, what is the solution? Let's explore: (1) read a magazine (2) call or text someone (3) write a little ditty or poem (4) talk to your neighbor and make a new friend (5) think on and solve a problem that has been nagging at you lately (6) carry a book you enjoy with you for just such a lull the options are endless! When I was young, the mention of boredom would bring a list of chores down on my head. I've learned that there is always something that I can do about how I am feeling, and boredom is simply that; a feeling.

Some people may argue that they do not enjoy reading, don't want to socialize, and are not into writing or thinking. Well, you've got me there. The problem is not that you are bored. No, the problem is that you are boring. So many otherwise intelligent folks have gotten sucked into the idea of needing to be entertained at every moment of their waking hours. Some cannot even fall asleep without the TV or radio droning on in the background. This can be a perfect opportunity to expand and exercise your imagination! Make yourself (or someone else, even) laugh! Get the adrenaline going. Get our of your tiny, depressing comfort zone and live a little. Begin today thinking of all the amazing things about life. It never ceases to amaze me how wonderful it can be to live an emotionally healthy life. I grew up in chaos, and have only had some semblance of order and health in my life for the last two years or so. Each time I notice this fact, I look at the many intriguing parts there are to a healthy life; and then I thank God for all of it.

Thankfulness, I believe, is the other key to avoiding boredom. If you are thankful for things, and lookfor things for which to be thankful, boredom flies right out the window. Look around, what do you see? Are you healthy? Are you able to walk, or talk, see, hear, move breathe? Being thankful for the little things will not only help to alleviate boredom, but it will generally improve life as a whole.

Here we are at the end of my soap box confession on boredom and all I can think to say is, don't be a bystander in your own life. Get up and make life happen, don't just let life happen to you. It will make things much more interesting if you do.

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