I was late to the party for the International Year of the Potato, and almost missed International Sushi Day due to lack of focus. But for once, I'm right on time for an important moment in human history, where we focus our energies for a month on the worldwide problem of boredom. THIS is a movement I can get behind 100%.
I was notified of this important event in an email from Alex Fayle. His thoughts on this are so great, I thought I'd just copy them here to pass along the inspiration:
"July is Anti-Boredom Month and I want to know: Are you bored? Does life not thrill you? Do you wake up each morning excited to start your day, or do you drag yourself out of bed hoping that maybe something different will happen?
A great song from the 1990s, Being Boring, says "We were never feeling bored because we were never being boring."
Yes, that's right - boredom is a totally self-inflicted problem. If you're bored, it's because you're being boring. If your life isn't going the way you want it to, then you are choosing a life that's not as thrilling as it could be. In his book Stumbling on Happiness, Daniel Gilbert talks about how even people whose life choices have been seriously limited by health issues call themselves happier than average because they are out there pursuing their dreams.
They're not bored because they are not being boring.
So, what are you doing to not be boring? I don't mean, what are you reading or thinking or talking about - I mean what are you doing?
If you're not doing anything then I suggest you brush off your dreams, take a good look at them and if necessary, get some help to put some excitement back in your life.
Because honestly, we're not here long enough to put up with being bored."
There you have it. Inspiring stuff, right? One morning recently when Steve and I were talking over some of the growing pains of moving to a new state to take new jobs, he said, "But you know what? Our days here are NEVER boring." We laughed together, knowing that we were on the right track.
Two things I've done recently to not be boring:
-Planned a trip back to Cambridge with a new friend to attend a cool conference.
-Admitted in public that I once cut all my sister's hair off.
Today, we'll see what happens to fend off the boring. But it's on the radar :)
How about you? What have/could you do to celebrate Anti Boredom Month?
6 comments:
Hmmm...biking to work in Boston? That cured boring this morning! Planning our next great international adventure? Check--and that'll keep boring at bay until probably October. I'm also trying to put together my first solo recital in years, also shooting for October. By that time I figure it'll be just about the holiday season, which for all the things they are, good and bad, they are usually not boring. :)
Great post! Boredom is a quagmire that we can easily slip into like a mid-afternoon nap that lasts too long leaving us feeling groggy instead of refreshed. The best antidote for both is to get up and get moving...doing what almost doesn't matter as long as it's something different and hopefully engaging.
So glad that this monumental world event reached you in time to spread the word!
And thanks for posting the newsletter for your readers to see.
Have a great (unboring) July!
Cheers,
Alex
Set up my boys' tents in the front room yesterday and let them sleep in them last night. Hanging with my boys over the summer. Have New England guests arriving on Thursday. Then one more out of town guest for the middle of July. After they leave, I have to look for work. So no boredom here!
I recently read "In Praise of Slowness" which talked about how boredom is a new thing of the past 50 or so years. Before that we didn't always have to be doing something. I'm trying to fend off the times I find TRULY boring (waiting in line at the post office which is always 30 minutes long, etc...by just people watching...it's quite entertaining for me. :)
hey trish, just stumbled on your blog from another blogs links... great you are highlighting July as anti-bordom month... as one who has vigerously pursed my dreams and hopefully the same time the confusing plan God has for me it is nice to see your reminder to all. John Ortbergs book, If You want to Walk on Water You Have to Get Out of the Boat was a good map for me along with the book of James. I look forward to reading more... and when I can get the book in South Africa (where my travels have taken me from CA) I look forward to reading or passing to female friends (I am a guy).
Blessings
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