Waste not; Want not

Is Boredom a State of Mind?

Issue #72

Do you ever feel bored? Have you told others that you were bored? Or has your teenager claimed to be bored? Boredom is a state of mind in which we choose to be.

If you feel bored, the problem is not where you live and work. You are the problem. You are not happy with yourself. You are bored with who you perceive yourself to be. Learn to love yourself. Happiness is an inside job.

I thought I was bored when I was young, but I rarely feel that way today. Even in a boring meeting, I find something to keep me entertained, even if it is only my thoughts.

Most of us want to live longer because we don't want to die. We don't know what happens after death, and that makes us afraid. Even people with a strong religious faith don't know what will happen. If we knew what happened after death, we would either fear it more or commit suicide so that we could get there sooner. Fortunately, we don't know and must live with the uncertainty.

For those of us who create works of art, whether poetry, novels, paintings, sculptures, or music, we have a shot at immortality. Our works may last beyond us.

Life is full of opportunities if we are awake and listening. As creative leaders, we must always be alert to what is happening around us. No moment will be wasted if we pay attention.

Have you ever had to wait in a Doctor's office? Or stood in line at a grocery store or bank? Or waited in line at a fast food restaurant? Were you bored and daydreaming? What can you learn from the experience to apply to your business?

Did you pay attention to the details around you? What can you take from the experience and put into your writing? What details would you put into a painting? Can you imitate the cashier? What dialogue can you steal from the mouths of strangers?

When shopping with my wife, I habitually take my journal with me. I find a place where I can write while she shops. I have written in grocery stores, department stores, and large malls. There are always opportunities to write or draw.

Life is finite. We are each given only so many years, days, and hours. Don't waste them being bored. Life is full of opportunity if we choose to pay attention.

Many people feel that their lives are boring and wish they could become someone other than who they are. I hope your life can be like a bowl of chili — hot, spicy, and full of flavor.

A 2007 survey of high school students found that two-thirds admitted to being bored in class every day. Unfortunately, even creative people allow themselves to be bored.

I believe boredom is a state of mind that can be overcome by looking at life in new ways. The world we live in is fascinating and full of hope if we spend a few minutes daily celebrating life.

For creative leaders, creativity is a crucial antidote for our survival. Find joy in your creative energy and your creations. Creativity overcomes the dull, boring, and uninteresting.

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Thanks for reading Creative Seeds of Hope.

A Little Bit of Heaven